MovieChat Forums > Kakushi ken: Oni no tsume (2004) Discussion > Twilight Samurai's much better. . .

Twilight Samurai's much better. . .


Though some may say I'm an oxymoron sayin' it was better because. . .

They basically were the same crap!

Twilight Samurai had more effective emotions, fight scenes. . .

Well. . .

Being that everything was basically the same. . .

Everything's better. . .

And it's not because I watched Twilight Samurai first. . .(Then again it is since they're the same thing 'cept Twilight's better)...





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Weird rambling...

But I do agree Twilight was better.

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They both are very good. I remember the characters as more compelling with Twilight Samurai, and that is (often) the primary focus of an audience. But the caring and careful detail in recreating that past era brings an ambience to Hidden Blade that sets it on a different and higher level than Twilight Samurai. But primarily in that regard only. Each is better than the other depending on the criteria you use to judge them.

Of note, in Hidden Blade, I found the theme of tension between the older and younger individuals mirrored the plot direction of reform and tradition within the Clan and the Shogunate.

The claim of foul play by his friend & foe in the duel with the use of the turned back technique places Katagiri in a unique position of adapting to survive, something he found quite distasteful elsewhere.

I will have to watch Twilight Samurai once more to comment more specifically on it. Not an unpleasant task.


More Coffee, Please!

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Hmmm. Tough choice.

I liked The Hidden Blade a bit better than Twilight Samurai. The most obvious reason is the ending. Twilight's final 2 minutes seemed like a tack-on monologue whose sole purpose was to destroy a happy ending for no apparently good reason.

Also, I was more sympathetic to the female lead in Hidden Blade due to the hardships she endured, which propelled her relationship with the male lead quite well.

Then there is, of course, the hidden blade - which kicked arse! Nothing in Twilight compares to that scene.

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I'm glad to find somebody else who preferred Hidden Blade - I was beginning to think I was on my own! You've summed up my thoughts pretty well. Twilight Samurai is still great too.

____________________________
"An inglorious peace is better than a dishonourable war" ~ John Adams

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both movies were great... hopefully bushi no ichibun will live up to its name

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Both movies are great. Absolute must-see/must-have Samurai movies that have rejuvenated the genre along with When the Last Sword is Drawn. Great stuff.

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What I like best about both the Yamada films - and I'm greatly looking forward to the third - is not the swordplay and heroics, but the recreation of everyday lives, people doing ordinary things. You go to work, there's the boss and the workmates with their familiar little jokes. It's a bit dull, but it's a living. Hurry home, as it's coming on to rain. "Is the washing in?" Voice from within - "Yeah!" People go to the pub, go shopping, tend the vegetable patch, chop firewood. You go and have lunch with your sister and brother in law, admire the new baby, hear the gossip; you go fishing with your best mate. Your old uncle visits and grumbles at you, "Huh, you young people today..." It's a struggle to make ends meet but you get by somehow... Everything looks real, slightly shabby perhaps, houses that have been lived in for years.

And in both films, but especially in The Hidden Blade, stormclouds are gathering. A masterly picture of a way of life unchanged for centuries but about to be swept away forever. Brilliant.

Senior Member of the Descending Ladies Bedafter Gumi. Or something.

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I recently saw this film and it didn't impress me quite as much as 'Twilight Samurai', although I must admit that it's been quite a while since I saw that film. Maybe it's because Hiroyuki Sanada is a lot more charismatic than the guy playing the main part in this movie.

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[deleted]

I found the Hidden Blade to be better, similar yes but somehow I cared more about the storyline and the fighting scene was just amazing, I also laughed out loud during the military drill scenes. I do agree that the main character in Twilight was a lot more charismatic though.

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If it's any thing like the quality of The Hidden Blade I'll enjoy it. This was the first Yōji Yamada film I've seen and I thought it was surprisingly good. Keen to see some others.

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