Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Lewis C

  
  Azumi 2: Death or Love is a serviceable sequel to the movie that preceded it, but it's not quite as interesting the second time around. Where the first movie dealt with the cyclical carnage of war and the sacrifices people make for questionable higher goals, Azumi 2 is more of a… More
  Azumi 2: Death or Love is a serviceable sequel to the movie that preceded it, but it's not quite as interesting the second time around. Where the first movie dealt with the cyclical carnage of war and the sacrifices people make for questionable higher goals, Azumi 2 is more of a straight-forward action movie that continues those themes as earnestly, but less effectively. After the events of the first movie, the young assassin Azumi continues her mission to find and kill the last remaining warlord that seems determined to plunge feudal Japan back into war. She's accompanied by her last remaining companion, still haunted by the deaths of her friends, and sought by a vengeful warrior who wants her death above all things. Of course, she also finds new allies and hidden enemies on her journey. This movie mirrors the plot of the first in many ways, but it's just not quite as good. The battles aren't as fun, and the story isn't as captivating. The attempts at poignancy and don't ring as true as the first movie, either. Aya Ueto is still an irresistible heroine and I recommend to anyone who enjoyed the first movie that they should check this one out, too. Just keep in mind that the change in directors from the first movie was not exactly an improvement.

• Justin Y

  
  Shusuke Kaneko's follow up to Kitamura's <i>Azumi</i> is an action adventure that falls flat.<p>The story between this and the first installment is continuous, and so are a number of the characters; however, it is easy enough to follow and catch up on to… More
  Shusuke Kaneko's follow up to Kitamura's <i>Azumi</i> is an action adventure that falls flat.<p>The story between this and the first installment is continuous, and so are a number of the characters; however, it is easy enough to follow and catch up on to make this watchable without having seen the first.</p><p>The 108 minutes aren't interesting enough to fully impress. The main characters need no build up at this point and most of the new supporting characters aren't amusing. There is a lack of quirkiness to them. As for the story, it is rather uneventful.</p><p>There is an ample amount of action and while the choreography is good, the fights aren't intense. Not even the special skills of the Ueno clan ninja warriors are enough to fire up the confrontations.</p><p>The star of the show, Aya Ueto, passes as a female assassin and Chiaki Kuriyama and Reiko Takashima also amuse as female ninjas. There are also a number of cast members that return from the first film, but as totally different characters.</p><p><i>Azumi 2: Death or Love</i> lacks style and feeling, but it is watchable.</p>

• Cassandra M

  
  I'm a huge fan of the first one and as much as I hate agreeing with some of the comments, well I do. This isn't even close to the first, simply because kitamura's touch was missing badly. The unique sense of camera angles, sword fights, wire work etc... There's… More
  I'm a huge fan of the first one and as much as I hate agreeing with some of the comments, well I do. This isn't even close to the first, simply because kitamura's touch was missing badly. The unique sense of camera angles, sword fights, wire work etc... There's still plenty of violence and blood but not quite as impressive and breathtaking as the first. I hoped for kitamura's direction as it really would have been more intense than the first but not everything goes our way. Still the acting was good and the scene with a copy of the ninja scroll sword boomerang was pretty cool I must say. Nevertheless I still love this simply because I love the franchise of this type of samurai flick and once again the cute Aya Ueto's presence once more. Recommended to all action and samurai fans out there.

• xGary X

  
  Why does it always seem to be the same with sequels? Film companies just insist on remaking the first film, and do it worse (you'd think they'd learn SOMETHING from their mistakes...) Of course there is always an exception to every rule, but unfortunately, this ain't… More
  Why does it always seem to be the same with sequels? Film companies just insist on remaking the first film, and do it worse (you'd think they'd learn SOMETHING from their mistakes...) Of course there is always an exception to every rule, but unfortunately, this ain't it. Azumi 2 begins were the original left off, as Azumi and Nagara continue their quest to rid Japan of warlords. This time they are joined by Chiaki Kuriyama (AKA Gogo from Kill Bill) who is a welcome addition to the cast, and there's plenty more flying limbs and spurting blood. Plus of course, Aya Ueto is still hotter than a McDonalds fruit pie filling. Unfortunately the plot is minimal and there just isn't enough action; and what there is seriously misses Ryuhei Kitamura's stylish visuals and epic scale. The villains are also nowhere NEAR as much fun. It passes an hour and a half relatively inoffensively, but it's a pale shadow of the first installment.

• EightThirty .

  
  You go girl, GIRL POWER!!!

• Steve K

  
  Slightly less fun than the first one, as it brings nothing new to the table. Still, what is there is fun.

• Dean M

  
  Good sequel but the original is the best.

• Anthony V

  
  Missing the heart of the first film, but still a good action film.

• Marcus W

  
  Considering how great the first was it's a shame the makers decided to do nothing more than a "sequel" to follow. Thereby it's entertaining and follows on neatly but she spends too much time reminiscing and the swordfights have lost their potency now. However,… More
  Considering how great the first was it's a shame the makers decided to do nothing more than a "sequel" to follow. Thereby it's entertaining and follows on neatly but she spends too much time reminiscing and the swordfights have lost their potency now. However, I'm adding on an extra half star for a brilliant fight involving razor-wire.

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