Sadly Over-hyped

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

The acting in this movie is really good.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The fifth film in the Lone Wolf and Cub series takes a decidedly bleak and harsh turn, with Ogami (the formidable Tomisaburo Wakayama in fine form) accepting a thankless assignment in which he must kill a dangerous monk carrying a letter that could bring about the destruction of an entire clan. Moreover, Ogami must confront and defeat five warriors who all contain both payment and information that's vital to Ogami's mission. Director Kenji Misumi relates the complex and compelling story at a steady pace, maintains a tough tone throughout, and stages the exciting swordfights with flair and skill. While this movie does deliver the expected copious amounts of graphic blood-spurting carnage, it's the potent and powerful themes of honor, loyalty, and betrayal which give this picture an extra poignant and provocative edge. Moreover, a nice subplot has Ogami's son Daigoro (adorable Akihiro Tomikawa) being set up by a notorious pickpocket Quick Change Oyo (well played by the fetching Tomomi Sato). The downbeat ending packs a devastating punch. Dark and despairing, this film rates highly as one of the crowning achievements in the whole series.

While this film has some serious weaknesses, it deserves kudos for being the one and only Lone Wolf and Cub film that does NOT include someone being raped or there being an attempted rape! Now this does not mean it's exactly family-friendly, as there are tons of killings, swimming pool's worth of blood-letting and a lot of crazy violence. Just think twice before you let your kids watch this or any of the Lone Wolf an Cub movies.The beginning of this film is highly reminiscent of the plot of Bruce Lee's "The Game of Death". Ogami Itto must defeat one master after another in order to proceed to the next level--the assassination of an evil priest who is actually working for the dreaded Yagyu clan! There is a plot about the substitution of a girl for the male heir to a clan that is related to all this. H stupid in MANY ways. However, the way this is all revealed to Itto is cool...but also pretty stupid if you think about it. It begins with a samurai challenging Itto. Itto naturally kills the guy but instead of just dying instantly like 95% of Itto's victims, he manages to hold on long enough to give an incredibly explanation for the challenge--to determine IF this man was The Lone Wolf and Cub as well as to determine if his skills are up to the task for a new assignment. Then, one at a time, another member of this totally insane clan comes to challenge Itto and each time, the slain man manages to hold on long enough to give more information to Itto as he's dying. The craziest of which involved a guy falling into the fire and giving details as he bleeds to death and roasts alive!! It's neat to watch but makes zero sense. If any one of these men died instantly (like most normally do), then they would not have delivered each detail to him. Does this make any sense at all?!?! Plus, why waste several talented samurai like this?! Why not have the guys just go to Itto and give him the information and commission?! It's neat to watch but pretty dumb. Later, a tough-fighting lady attacks Itto, but she does not want to kill him but talk to him about the assassination the others asked him to perform--and get him to perform three more. However, she is NOT stupid and does not wish to be killed like the other idiots! She is, incidentally, not of the same idiot clan! In between these meetings, there is an odd plot involving Itto's child, Daigoro, and a pickpocket. It's pretty interesting and shows that the little boy is every bit the stoic little nut-case his father is! You just have to see this to know what I mean.Later, Lord Restudo sends his 'shadow Yagyu' to escort the evil priest. Naturally, Itto is hiding nearby--waiting to complete his contract. How he does, however, is something I sure couldn't have anticipated!! This and the subsequent getaway scene is probably the best part of the movie.From here on, it's a matter of Itto delivering the latter he got off his victim. But, when this moment arrives, don't think it's the end...as Itto has to make things right within this clan, as someone is usurping the throne and all must be made right...thanks to a massive blood-letting. The final scene where you learn exactly who the mystery woman was who helped him is a fitting finale.So is the film worth seeing? Well, yes if you like the series. Despite the stupid beginning, the rest of the film is pretty good and exciting. I noticed one reviewer indicated the film was very confusing and didn't make sense--perhaps due to the bad dubbing. Well, I saw a captioned version on DVD from AnimEigo and it was not difficult to understand.

I was interested in seeing how director Kenji Misumi would pick up the series again. He directed the first three movies but the previous one, "Kozure Ôkami: Oya no kokoro ko no kokoro", got directed by Buichi Saito. would Kenji Misumi continue on the same trend he had started the series in, or would he go with the successful more western style of approach Buichi Saito brought to the series.The answer would be the first. Kenji Misumi pretty much continues what he had started. This is not a bad thing of course, since all of the first three movies were great and entertaining ones but it just makes it a little bit less accessible as a movie for the western audience. This style was however also more appreciated in Japan itself, so the switch back is quite understandable.The movie starts off kind of slow and uninteresting and I wasn't too fond about its storytelling but it soon finds its old form. It actually turns into one of the more stronger movies out of the series, also story-wise. The movie does feature some great memorable moments in it, perhaps even more so than was the case with any of the previous movies. It's a very entertaining movie and its fight sequences are a pleasure to watch. It's being highly original and creative with some of its moments.It's awesome to see how Ogami Itto is taking on whole armies again. You would think that by now his reputation would had exceeded him and people would know better to cross swords with him. The Japanese are however too noble and proud to just runaway at his sight or perform harakiri right away. Luckilly for use though, since it means that the movie gets action packed and features plenty of fountains of blood again, especially toward the ending when the movie becomes really more and more action filled and spectacular.Such an awesome and entertaining movie.9/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

It's the best moving picture of the bunch!! It is the Empire Strikes Back of the Lone Wolf with Cub moving pictures. The action was superb and the bad guys were REALLY bad! Of course, this moving picture may be better appreciated upon having viewed the previous installments. Without trying to give anything away; some of the climactic scenes may be better understood with some of the back story filled in, but, I cannot seem to remember how much of "Meifumado" is exposition. So even just viewing this moving picture may give a good enough idea of the characters idioms, respectively. I think I cannot remember because I watched the 6th installment of the series the next day and now it's hard to remember the 5th. The 6th moving picture was the "A View To A Kill" of the series. Take that as you will. But one large part of this moving picture is Tomisaburo Wakayama's intensity as both a battle-hardened Samurai and also as a caring father, even though he does things most father's wouldn't do. Iffen you like good Samurai movies, be sure to check this one out. Haha Had to leave you with a Reading Rainbow plug...