A SPOILER HEAVY Rurouni Kenshin Film Reaction: The Legend Could Have Ended Better

“We live by different standards.” - Shishio Makoto (paraphrased a bit from his line in the movie)

I’ll try to be not overly dramatic. Here are some facts straight up for those who have yet to see Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (TLE):
- If you have little to no Rurouni Kenshin (RK) background save for the first two films in this franchise, you will probably really like this film, and it will probably make you want to watch the anime and read the manga (which is a great thing).
- If you are a casual RK fan, then you will probably like this film as it generally maintains the spirit of the series, and you probably won’t mind certain nuances I’ll be pointing out here.
- If you are an RK fanboy/girl, you will delight in the fan service moments, but might feel a little on-the-fence about the whole thing. You will probably feel squeamish about some sweeping changes (and omissions), but still convince yourself it’s a good film because you can’t bear to say anything bad about anything RK.
- If you are as intense, as snobbish, and as geeky as me when it comes to RK, however, then several things will throw you off. Heck, you might not even like it at all. There’s a strong chance it will be your least liked entry in the trilogy. Don’t worry, though, because it surely isn’t as bad (read: debilitatingly sad) as the Seisouhen (Samurai X: Reflections) OVA.

Kenshin looking fierce as his legend ends.
(image from Warner Bros.)

Likes and dislikes. Let’s keep it simple.

Way Off-Topic: Rurouni Kenshin: Taika-Hen — A Simmer, but not yet an Inferno

I am not a film critic. I actually write almost exclusively about basketball. This post, therefore, will not talk about the finer points of filmmaking as observed in the second installment of the Rurouni Kenshin live action film trilogy — Rurouni Kenshin: Taika-Hen (Kyoto Inferno). 

Does Kenshin's second live action deliver the goods?

This is not a review. 

This is a reaction.

Off-Topic: Top 10 Bloopers of the 2012-2013 NBA season

Here's another light and trippy YouTube clip to distract you guys from the darkness and gloom looking down on us. 

You will see someone jumping over Nate Robinson, Enes Kanter's best attempt at doing The Worm, Chris Bosh videobombs, and, of course, Javale McGee. Here are the Top 10 Bloopers of the 2012-2013 NBA season!

A face only a mother (velociraptor) could love.
(screencap from the following YouTube clip)

Off-Topic: Which Pick-up Basketball Stereotype Are You?

Here's something light and funny for all you hoop nuts out there. I hope this can brighten your otherwise gloomy day (certainly brought about by typhoon Maring and the habagat).

Brought to you by the guys at Dude Perfect -- Which pick-up basketball stereotype are you?

Screencap from the following YouTube clip.

Off-Topic: So.. what did I miss?

A lot, apparently.

I was away from Hoop Nut for 99.9% of the past seven days for personal reasons of a medical nature. It was something absolutely urgent I had to attend to and, given how there was no wifi in the hospital at which my family was, wasn't really able to go online save for the few-and-far-between times I went back home to get some stuff and take care of other things.

It was maybe the longest I've gone without basketball maybe… ever. 

Beau Belga more than held his own against Zhang Zhaoxu
and the Shanghai Sharks.
(image by Paolo Papa/InterAKTV)

So, again, WHAT DID I MISS?

Let's list them down…

Off Topic: SMART Infinity + Erik Spoelstra = BIG DREAMS

Fil-Am coach Erik Spoelstra receives the Larry O'Brien trophy
after the Miami Heat bag the 2012 NBA Title.
(image from Getty Images)

Today is the launch of Erik Spoelstra as a prime endorser for SMART Communication’s Infinity line of postpaid plans.

The SMART Infinity line is targeted at subscribers who are craving for a more exclusive and personalized customer service experience. Subscribers to the SMART Infinity line are set to enjoy several perks like one’s own Infinity Management Officer (kind of like your own 24-7 personal customer service rep), the Concierge Service (for lifestyle assistance), a Vanity Number (choose-your-own number!), an automatic Back-up SIM Card, a yearly Birthday Treat, and the 24-7 Infinity Hotline.

This is the kind of subscription really tailor-fit for success, tailor-fit for people driven to become champions in their own fields, and tailor-fit for people who dream big.

Just like Erik Spoelstra, who, as we all know by now, is the first Asian-American to ever coach in the NBA and actually win a title. He has become the latest poster boy for Pinoys dreaming big and actually achieving it.