Pros: The fight scenes were superb. My eyes were glued the entire time. I loved how Kenshin increased his fighting speed as the inner warrior in him was released. The soundtrack itself was outstanding. The last track at the end was a perfect compliment to the ending. The acting was 8/10 overall. I completely enjoyed the movie, 10/10. I thought it was hilarious when a guy dropped dead only to call Kenshin, "you jerk." It's like, he is more than a jerk, he just killed you, son! ha haCon: I would have preferred a different actor to play Kenshin. I watched the anime adaption and he did not fit the personality that well. The only parts that resembled Kenshin in his acting were fighting moves such as running at the enemy.

Lets be honest, manga adaptations have not usually done justice to the manga and has left most of us disappointed in the past. Hence i watched this movie only for the action preparing myself to be disappointed with everything else. I have never been so pleasantly surprised. This movie was not just a great adaptation, it was one of the best movies i have watched in a long time. Firstly the story. I have read the manga and watched the anime and true the movie does skip some fun parts and changes some. But actually i didn't mind the changes at all. It had to be done to reduce the time but at the same time it made the flow more seamless and almost every part was connected properly....almost. Secondly, the characters. The actors have done a great job and every character does actually seem to match with the characters in the anime (which is the main point of error in most adaptations). For those who have not watched the anime, some of the parts really make you connect with the characters and their feelings, especially kenshin. Finally, the best part of the movie, the fighting. I absolutely loved it. The fight scenes and styles were translated so well from the anime that i was literally jumping with excitement. For those that haven't watched the anime, the fight scenes give a perfect picture of a real swordfight mixed with some super power super speed elements. Just a tinge. And it works so well with this movie that it just left me speechless with admiration. So my advice, watch the anime (it will help you love the characters) and then watch the movie. Though you will still enjoy it if you haven't watched the anime.

So here we have a movie studio attempting a live action version of a manga/anime that is not only popular but well written. The last time I saw one it was the unwatchable Dragonball movie. This time I was actually surprised. Not only was the casting very well done but they managed to condense the first two arcs into one very good movie story line. The overall plot was very good and the movie is highly watchable. Many of the action scenes could have come directly from the manga/anime and in fact much of the dialogue is true to the source material. I checked the spoiler box only for the following parts. First I was highly pleased with Jin-e's look (to include hat and hair) and his eyes. The wasy they did the Shin no Ippo is great. It was nice to see Saito (woulda liked to see his trademark hair but that woulda been hard to say the least) and it was really nice to see a Gatotsu. I admit when I saw that I had a nerdgasm. Kenshin's Hitten Mitsurigi style is spot on. I love the effects that make him look like he has god like speed. The last duel ends just as it should. Few things I was miffed that didn't make it in. The Sekiehoutei was never mentioned for Sano's background. Yahiko's samurai background was tossed out. The epic manga/anime fight between Kenshin and Saito never really happened. They fought but ultimately I found the fight lacking. The Oni Waban group is NO WHERE to be found. No Hikijo, no Hanya, no anyone. No Aoshi Shinomri. I understand Aoshi will be in the sequels but I was disappointed not to have him in with Kanryu. When you first meet Sano he calls himself Sanoske rather than Zanza. Most of these are minor issues that I realize had to take a backseat to story and movie. Overall this movie was well done. Yahiko is brash as Yahiko. Karou is the same. It all works. Kenshin especially. I mean they really got into the dual identites of that character in the Jin-e fight. Well done. Its not easy to take a fantastic manga/anime and turn it into a live action movie but for anyone else who tries THIS is your bar. Its been set high so don't mess it up. Can't wait for the sequels and would LOVE a western release PLEASE!

I have not seen the original Anime or read any of the Manga books this is based on. So it was an introduction to me to the universe and the movie does begin with an introduction. It might not be easy at times to follow for some people to follow for different reasons (who's bad, who's good in the story). But this is also the reason this might stay in mind a little longer than other movies.The action scenes are more than decent and you do get violence depicted as what it is. Blood will flow and people die. Still there is a morality to it all, which has to do with the main character. Either you are down with what it tries to do and can get behind it or you don't like it all. I liked it and think it's worth a look