The story seemed a bit more nuanced than the first, and I really liked the ending. Fantastic sense of composition, as usual. I do think it's a bit hypocritical to hold up this ideal of "we don't fight for entertainment" in a movie which displays fighting, for entertainment purposes. Also I have to say that this fanatical alignment with a particular martial arts branch & style is one of those cultural oddities that I understand, but always found rather silly.

46.250

The opening scene could be the worst choreographed fight ever filmed - at least it lets you know right away what you're in for.

Easily my least favorite Kurosawa film. It almost seems like he's poking fun at the material by including uncharacteristically zany scenes near the beginning and fight scenes that lack drama throughout. There are a few interesting compositions, as we can occasionally see his penchant for balance in his mise en scene. However, the film is a misstep in an otherwise magnificent career.