Synopsis
In war-torn Japan, the Tokugawa Shogun, desperate to restore peace to his people, orders the assassination of the hostile warlords. A beautiful young woman is raised from birth with nine other orphans, to become an assassin. Her name is Azumi, the ultimate assassin.
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Cast
- Aya UetoAzumi
- Kenji KohashiHyuga
- Hiroki NarimiyaUkiha
- Takatoshi KanekoAmagi
- Yuma IshigakiNagara
- Yasuomi SanoYura
- Shinji SuzukiAwa
- Eita NagayamaHiei
- Shôgo YamaguchiKomoru
- Shun OguriNachi
Recommendations
- 88
TV Guide Magazine
Features more than enough thrilling wirework, slow and agonizing deaths, and blood-spattered faces to please even the most discriminating fans of the genre. - 50
Film Threat
A little boring and extremely long for what it is, all that Azumi really has going for it are several eye-popping battle sequences, including the climax which is a totally delicious celebration of graphic violence, and some nice camera work. - 50
Variety
Inevitable comparisons to Quentin Tarentino's femme-centered carnage extravaganza "Kill Bill" are not unwarranted insofar as both films featurefeature an abstract, self-conscious, and decidedly post-modern approach to a moribund genre. - 50
New York Daily News
It's a bad idea to get too fond of any character, no matter how worthy he (or she) may appear. - 50
The Hollywood Reporter
Unfortunately, the film itself -- though it contains some superbly staged and highly lavish action sequences -- lacks the tautness of its heroine. - 50
Los Angeles Times
An uneven effort overall that when it is working has a strange, engaging energy that is often overturned by an uncertain staidness. - 40
The New York Times
The director, Ryuhei Kitamura, whose earlier films include the cult film "Versus," brings nothing new to the samurai-swordsman game other than some styling shorts for the whelps and a miniskirt for Azumi. - 40
L.A. Weekly
Failing in its attempts at Zhang Yimou–like poetry, Azumi calls to mind a long, blood-splattered director's cut of a Power Rangers episode.
