Everybodies favourite nameless ronin is back, and he's as gruff and initially unlikable as ever. This one seems to be on a bigger scale right away, as it begins with nine young (and somewhat inept) samurai discussing possibly corrupt officials.
The plot is similar in style to the first movie (here it is, by the way) which I guess is to be expected, and it was a lot of fun seeing the nameless ronin again (this time calling himself Tsubaki Sanjuro). His character didn't suffer from over development, as they are often wont to do in sequels, and I was pleased that he was kept as closed off and gruff as ever.
I particularly enjoyed the way he rolls his shoulders. This tick, and the way he is always scratching himself, gives off a very doggy feel. This time, he is in contrast with his surroundings, as even the enemy is, for the most part, more proper than he is. There are no bandits and gamblers in this one, and I found myself missing them. Ah, wouldn't it be nice if Nakadai popped up and fondled his gun.
The one character who is also an 'unsheathed sword' forces Tsubaki to kill him at the end in a fountain of blood that wouldn't look out of place on 'Kill Bill'.
The fighting is a little better, as is the plot, but I still found myself missing the run down village of the last movie. As he did last time, the nameless ronin ends the film with a simple 'goodbye' before walking off down the road, jerkily rolling each shoulder in turn as if trying to dislodge flies.
Sanjuro: 48.2