This movie is continuation of the first part, so if you have not already seen it, you should do that, else this movie won't make much sense (though they do give a little flash back).The original Azumi movie was a big disappointment, not only were the fight sequences too contrived and Azumi portrayed as some a super human, and not in a good way, it made it look dumb and childish, BUT, the human aspect, compassion, etc was lacking in the extreme.The second part amazing fixes all of the above problems. Its now a movie were character development comes first, and the fight scenes are now significantly more realistic and I was so happy that I gave this movie a chance.This movie is far better than the 6.2 rating here at IMDb might suggest.Here Azumi is genuinely that good hearted girl who is forced to do her duty for the greater good. Even her martial arts skills are much better and she is composed and precise.Give it a try, at the very least you won't feel that your time was wasted. :-).Cheers!

Azumi 2: Death or Love starts exactly where the first film has ended. Therefore you cannot look on it as a single film, but as part of the first one, because it finishes the story that started in the first film, directed by Kitamura, who did a really good job.But this film is not directed by Kitamura and that is a very big shame, because he could make this movie even better than it really was. Maybe also better than the first part.The actors are doing their best on the screen and some battle scenes are worth seeing, but many of them lack the real choreography that we were able to see in the first Azumi. Mayn of the fight scenes also look very odd and are really missing Kitamura's touch.Although the battle scenes are not as good as in the original, the story on the other hand gets much deeper. The main character suffers and also the enemy is stronger. It is quite well seen that this film was built more on a emotional level than on action. But still, it shouldn't be lacking on the action, because it is an action adventure.CGI is used only in scenes that were impossible to make, like the scene with the boomerang weapon. So the usage of CGI is the same as in the original, but it has evolved. It looks more realistic than in the first film. But thank good it isn't used almost the whole time like in many Hollywood films, which depend on the CGI and not on the story.Azumi 2 is not a perfect film, but it is worth seeing, although the taste after seeing it is kind of a bittersweet, because it really is not on the same level as part one. But I need to remind you all that there are very little sequels that are equal to the original or even better. But all in all, it is still a lot better than any sequel made in Hollywood, because these kind of films still have their heart and soul, while many from Hollywood are created only for one purpose, to make more money. In other words, the soul is sold to the devil.This is Azumi 2, a great tale of a girl, who wants to bring peace to the people of Japan by killing all the lords who want war. It is an epic story that you will like it, but not as much as the first Azumi. I advise you only that you forget the fact that it is not as good as the original and let yourself into a entertaining almost two hour long ride.This film could have get a nine out of ten, but I rated it eight, because of the not convincing fight scenes and because it sometimes lacks in the story's tempo and you can get bored, but just for a few seconds.

It's been a long wait for me for the continuation of the original Azumi. Azumi ended at such a crucial point that as soon as an English subbed version of the sequel was available, it was in my hands.Azumi 2 is every bit as touching, amazing and downright brilliant as the first instalment. The characters are as easy to attach to as those in the original film, the battle sequences just as brimming with amazing CGI and breathtaking choreography (the human spider sequence in the bamboo forest will have you gripping your palms 'til they pour with sweat).With a new director on board it was easy to mess this one up, but it shines just as well as its predecessor.Azumi 2 is without a doubt one of the best sequels made for a Japanese film. Lets just hope Hollywood don't buy the rights to create another shoddy remake.

Yesterday I saw the fist Azumi and it impressed me so much that today I went to see the second one.I still think that the movie by itself is good. It just doesn't lift to the height of the first one. It's seems that many had expectations about this one that doesn't came through, but if to look at it without comparing to the fist one, Azumi 2 is fine.The plot is OK. More flaws than in the first one but it's not the problem of this film. It is not as appealing as the first one, but still interesting and never boring. I'm a little disappointed that Kanbei (my favorite character from the first movie) is underused.The positive thing about this movie, is that it keeps the main cast from the first Azumi (specially when I saw them one after the other).fights are great, and pretty much on the same level as in Azumi.The ninja characters are very interesting. They have new tricks and new weapons, and add a lot to the movie.But the movie has two major flaws: One is the character of Azumi and Nagara, which seems to be less determined in their mission and find other things more important ( like love or quiet living), one thing i could never expect after the ending of the first Azumi, and even less after their swearing to Tenkai in continuing the mission.The second flaw doesn't concern the first Azumi, and it is in the dialog's of the characters. They say things that are obvious ,make them look stupid. They also look more dramatic (which is far above most of Chinese Kong Fu movies conversations but still reminds them).Overall i think Azumi2 is a likable samurai movie and better than most in this category.