Onmyoji II (2003) Directed by Takita Yojiro.
By happy coincidence, my friend who loaned me Onmyoji last night got in Onmyoji II today. So here is that review.
Like Onmyoji this movie is a trip in to the world of the Japanese Exorcist in feudal times. A wonderful period piece feel, the sets and costuming evoke a Japan 500 years gone. Add to that the wonder and magic of demons, ghosts and gods, and the Onmyoji whose job it was to protect mankind and you have a delightful adventure.
Back again is the earnest young lord, Minamoto no Hiromasa. Skilled with the flute, competent with a sword, and good looking enough to make up for being a bit slow, Hiromasa is a favorite of the lands most celebrated Onmyoji, Abe No Seimei. Seimei is thought to look rather like a white fox, and he is certainly as cunning as one. Assisting him is Mishamitsu, who is sometimes a girl, and sometimes a butterfly.
This time a demon is busy eating body parts off important noblemen! The right arm off one, the nose off another, lips from a third…. The gentry are understandably upset.
Complicating matters is Hiromasa’s infatuation with the tomboy princess, Himiko. Fierce and independent, and skilled with a bow, it is said she can scare demons.
Also of note is a traveling holy man called Genkaku, who can heal the sick with a touch, and banish the toughest demons. Is he too good to be true?
The last main character is Sama, a biwa player. His skill on the strings rivals Hiromasa’s on the flute and their duets are simply lovely. They can be heartbreakingly beautiful. So are the actors.
Somehow the attacks center around a sword, said to be made from the tail of a dragon (which is incidentally a euphemism for a tornado) and while there is something going on with the blade; it is not demon possessed. Can Seimei and Hiromasa solve this mystery before more nobles die?
The Cast
Nomura Mansai ... Abe no Seimei
Ito Hideaki ... Minamoto no Hiromasa
Nakai Kiichi ... Genkaku
Fukada Kyôko ... Himiko
Imai Eriko ... Mitsumushi
Kotegawa Yûko ... Tsukuyomi
Ichihara Hayato ... Susa
Let me just say that the cast are all very good looking; Mansai does look foxy in the face, and around the eyes, and Hideaki looks masculine and handsome. Hayato is cute.
All of them are skilled actors, and joys to watch.
The action in this movie is a little slower than in the first, and the story seems a little less polished. Still, it is a wonderful production, it seemed to derive maximum bang for the buck, and opens up a world that will be totally alien to most westerners. I would give it half a star less than the original; which is not bad at all for a sequel.
And while Hiromasa is infatuated with the Princess Himiko, there is still a hint of more than friendship between him and Seimei. It is a little awkward, because in most relationships of this kind, there are clearly defined roles; the Seme is the more aggressive partner, tends to be older, larger and more powerful. In this case, Hiromasa. The Uke is the passive partner, and tend to need guidance. He will also be prettier. This is Seimei. But Seimei is definitely the more powerful and wiser of the two. Ah well, I could be wrong, and not much is done to develop this hypothesis.
Whatever the case may be, this movie is a wonderful treat for the senses, lavish sets and costumes, beautiful actors, exquisite music, it is a treat.
The story is also a treat, something between Harry Potter and Shogun. Check it out, it’s worth watching.
Check out my reviews of all things Japanese:
My Neighbor Totoro
Across the Nightingale Floor
Grass For His Pillow
Brilliance of the Moon
Onmyoji II
Onmyoji
The Hidden Fortress
Hellboy: Storm of Swords
Vexille
Sanjuro
The Hidden Blade
Yaji & Kita: Midnight Pilgrims
Princess Mononoke
Spirited Away
Gay Tales of the Samurai
Howl's Moving Castle
Ghost Dog
Memoirs of a Geisha (Book)
Memoirs of Geisha (Movie)
The Last Samurai
The Sword that Cut the Burning Grass
Taboo
Forbidden Colors
Recommended:
