13 pembunuh

Let me start off by saying that “13 Assassins” is both a bloody brilliant action movie and a bloody, brutal depiction of violence and human cruelty. Fans of action films in general and samurai movies in particular will love it, but it is definitely not for the faint of heart.

One scene, somewhere in the middle of the film’s 140-minute runtime, brings the term “evil” to a level that even seasoned action flick lovers may find disturbing. It features an episode of extreme violence so torturous that it overshadows the countless violent acts that precede and follow it in the film.

Such should be expected from Japanese director Takashi Miike, the man behind such disturbing, ultra-violent cult favorites as “Audition” and “Ichi the Killer.” “13 Assassins” is filled with spraying blood, flying limbs, rape, and even child murder. But unlike many of his earlier blood-soaked epics, the shocking violence here is not meant to simply titillate viewers — it is meant to get their blood boiling, which ultimately gives this tale of vengeance an emotional wallop to match its punishing action scenes.

If the film’s title brings to mind Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai,” you wouldn’t be too far off the mark, as Miike said he was greatly influenced by the legendary director’s famous masterpiece. In both films, a team of samurai warriors — most of whom are “ronin,” or masterless samurai — is put together to take on an epic mission against impossible odds.

The leader of the titular assassins is an aging, beaten-down samurai named Shinzaemon (played by famous Japanese actor Koji Yakusho, who also appeared in “Babel”). He is persuaded by a government official to assassinate the ruling shogun’s younger brother, an immoral young lord named Naritsugu (Goro Inagaki), before the evil heir can rise to his brother’s position and throw the country into chaos.

In the first quarter of the film we witness just how senselessly sadistic the baby-faced Lord Naritsugu is.

First, we see him violate a woman and kill her devastated husband in front of her — all while wearing a wide grin. Later, we see him engage in what can only be called human archery in his living room, as he shoots down an entire family, including a crying child.

Then the infamous scene of evil appears — a scene required by the plot to explain why the reluctant Shinzaemon would take on the assassination mission.

A government official shows the grizzled old samurai a girl who has been horribly, unspeakably tortured by Naritsugu.

Shinzaemon’s hands immediately shake with what he calls a “war tremor.” The samurai is horrified by the heartbreaking sight, but excited by the thought of the dangerous mission he is about to embark upon. With a bitter grin, he accepts the job and sets off to assemble his team.

The intensity ramps down considerably in the film’s middle section. The scenes introducing us to the rest of the 13 assassins don’t do much to individualize them as characters. Due to the difficulties of allowing time for character development for a large ensemble cast, more than half of the assassins feel like expendable cannon fodder with no clear identities. Much time is also spent dryly explaining the assassin’s intricate plot to kill Naritsugu.

All of this plotting pays off, however, when the action reaches boiling point once again in the film’s unremittingly intense third act. Having set their trap in a remote village, the assassins take on Naritsugu’s 200-plus guards in an epic battle that involves clashing katanas, gushing blood and even flaming pigs.

While all this excessive violence might make “13 Assassins” seem like nothing more than a feudal Japanese gore-fest, there is more to the film than that. Miike’s signature aesthetic is indeed present, but it feels tempered by the assured, measured hand of an experienced director who wants to make a crowd-pleasing flick. I dare say that “13 Assassins” is the most accessible Miike film yet. It also features what is undoubtedly his most gorgeous cinematography to date.

If you think you can stomach it, “13 Assassins” is a movie that should not be missed. It is intense, intriguing and utterly unforgettable.