According to Jet Li’s Wikipedia page, this movie is the lowest in revenue in the history of his career. And that’s the reason I want to watch this too.

War opens with duo detectives, Crawford (Statham) and Tom Lone (Terry Chen). They investigate a crime scene which suspected owned by Yakuza. After some gun fires, Crawford is cornered by a mysterious guy and then Lone saves him. Crawford suspects the mysterious man is Rogue, the Yakuza lethal hitman.

The next day, unexpectedly, the hitman give Lone a visit and kills his wife and daughter. Crawford who arrives in Lone’s house, burnt with three corpses, is very shocked and becomes obsessed on finding who the hitman is. Three years later through some cases, finally Crawford is face to face with Rogue (Jet Li). But, there are more than just an assassin in Rogue. After the killings and killings, Crawford and Rogue are in the middle of war between Triads and Yakuza.

On plotline, this movie has good twist and keep us guessing what the hell is Rogue doing. Statham is quite good while Jet Li is really impressive as always. I like how Jet Li dresses from the beginning until the end of the movie; black shirt, suit, pants, nice car and great bike. I love how he can become cold-hearted when he kills the people from both the Triads and Yakuza to get revenge. Oh, I shouldn’t have said that because it’s part of the movie.

As a moviegoer who already watched most of Master Li’s works, I must say I like this one too. I just don’t understand why this movie is flop in the box office. Jet Li brings another performance as a man in the grey area. And the way he wears those expensive suits, he could be an agent or something for future projects (note to Hollywood).

Just like Danny The Dog, prepare for the gory scenes of revenge from Rogue. I can’t say I blame him though. In the end, he just wants to make a new life.

Jet Li is recognized internationally after his role in Lethal Weapon 4 as the Asian Criminal Lord. Thanks to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hollywood finally glances to the talents from Asia. But, I’m sure not many people know about his iconic roles before he becomes Hollywood star. And one of his iconic roles is Wong Fei-Hung, a Chinese folk hero around 19^th century when foreigners from Europe started to come to China, in Once Upon A Time In China series. I watched this series again and almost forgot how great he is and how cute his character is with his romantic interest.

In reality, Wong Fei-Hung married 4 times in his life, but in the series, we can see he has one romantic interest who he calls “13^th aunt”. In Chinese tradition, it’s a very respectful family line. Fei-Hung and his aunt are around the same age and not blood related, although he calls her “aunt”. 13^th aunt’s father (her name is Siu Kwan in the series) is sworn brother to Fei-Hung’s grandfather, so she considers as Fei-Hung’s elder and their romance is strictly forbidden. But, when love speaks, you can cross the boundaries.

Once Upon A Time in China has 6 movies, but to me (and I guess for Jet Li’s fans), it’s only 4 of them considered as the real series which is Once Upon A Time In China 1, 2, 3, and 6. Jet Li and Rosamund Kwan who portray Fei-Hung and Siu Kwan were absent in the two movies, but Miss Kwan is portray the 13^th aunt in the fifth series without Jet Li.  They are teamed together in the last movie despite the absurdity of the story.

I love this series more than The Legend of Fong Sai-yuk where Jet Li is also played another Chinese folk hero. Not only the series have it all; romance, humor, and action; but, we can see how deep Fei-Hung’s feeling for his 13^th aunt. Unlike Sai-yuk who has two wives (damn, I hate polygamy!), through the series we can see the development of their relationship. From seeing each other again when Siu Kwan returns to China after studying abroad (explaining the western clothes she often wears), travel together (with chaperone), and finally Fei Hung follows his heart to finally propose to Siu Kwan. There are no movie which shows them getting married, but I’m sure it will be interesting to see them as husband and wife. They are more like yin and yang. Complete each other.

I like a strong woman character, so it’s kind of different take here in Siu Kwan. She doesn’t know kungfu, more being saved often by Fei-Hung and his students, but I guess that’s the cute part of the story. For a woman who has no kungfu and being dragged into the world because the man you love is one of the kungfu masters, Siu Kwan has strong personality. During the series, she’s been kidnapped and seeing the brutality of battles, but in the end she always be in Fei-Hung side. And Fei-Hung himself doesn’t seem mind being her protector. It’s cute to see how he protects Siu Kwan in the series. Her safety is his top priority.

So, go watch this series and see Jet Li performs one of his iconic roles (and iconic theme. Do you know he performed some of Fei-Hung’s moves at Hongkong Handover Ceremony back in 1997?) way before he kicks some ass in Hollywood.

Pic source: Google and screencap

Oh yes, I’m still on my Chinese-mode hype. Perhaps it’s the influence of some Chinese blood in my family. Actually, after watching those Wong Fei-Hung series and seeing his hairstyle, the long and braided, reminds me to this classic Chinese TV series, Huan Zhu Ge Ge (My Fair Princess/Princess Pearl in some translations).

This TV series based on the romance books written by Chiung Yao, the famous author in China. She’s famous in writing those romance heartwarming stories. Chiung Yao wrote Huan Zhu mixing between the fictional and the real characters during the Qin Dynasty. It has so many viewers both in China and worldwide and it’s a surprise to see there are a lot of Huan Zhu fans out there despite this series aired 16 years ago.

Huan Zhu tells a story about a commoner, Xiao Yan Zi (Hsiao Yence in some translations), who in some unexpected events meets a girl who claims to be The Emperor’s daughter, Xia Ziwei (Hsia Cewei in some languages). She wants to help Ziwei to tell the Emperor that she’s his daughter. But, in the day of the emperor’s family hunting trip, she gets hit by an arrow which shots by the 5^th Prince (Wu A Ge/ Wu Ake) or Yong Qi/Yungchi. When she wakes up, the Emperor thinks Yan Zi is her daughter and gives her the title “Huan Zhu Ge Ge”. She decides to play along for a while, not realizing the real Huan Zhu Ge Ge is waiting outside the palace wall.

Vicky Zhao as Xiao Yan Zi

Ruby Lin as Xia Ziwei

Alec Su as Yong Qi/ Wu A Ge

Zhou Jie as Fu Erkang

This series categorized as Wuxia, a genre which has period setting of China and mixed with kungfu. The series have 3 seasons. The previous two are playing by the same main casts while the third with whole new casts. The third gets a lot of negative critics because the story is so different than the previous two, not to mention the different casts. The only cast who still appears is Zhou Jie who plays Fu Erkang, the member of the royal guard in the previous two series.

Huan Zhu basically focused on the two “princesses”, Yan Zi and Ziwei, and their romance with the 5^th prince and Fu Erkang. Romance and heartwarming scenes are all over the episodes. My fave character of course is Xiao Yan Zi. I always feel I’m more like her in a lot of things. The difference is she got a prince while I didn’t hehe…

Yong Qi and Yan Zi

Ziwei and Erkang

The two young couples

Huan Zhu Ge Ge is really a high fiction because at the time, it’s very common for a man to have more than one wife. The term “you’re the only one in my heart” is really a high fantasy. But, hey…we need it as a distraction from real life, right?

Every girl’s dream is being a princess. Well, I guess every woman in their youth even dreamed to become a princess. Disney has several princesses, even Mulan presents Asian culture. But, there is another princess from Asia’s land. She is Huan Zhu Princess.

I’ve written about this story which turned into the phenomenal series back in 1998 until 1999 on the previous post. But, in this post, I’d like to discuss deeper.

Huan Zhu Ge Ge is written by Chiung Yao and inspired by a story about Emperor in Qin Dynasty who adopted a commoner to become a princess. Ms. Yao was so impressed when she heard about this commoner princess and based on the folk story, she wrote Huan Zhu Ge Ge.

Xiao Yan Zi, Huan Zhu Ge Ge

In her version, Huan Zhu Ge Ge is Xiao Yan Zi (Hsiao Yence in popular pronunciation, means little swallow), a commoner who mistakenly recognized as The Emperor illegitimate child. The truth is Hsiao Yence is only helping Xia Ziwei (Hsia Cewei), the real Emperor’s daughter to deliver the message. By accident, Hsiao Yence was shot by an arrow from the 5^th prince, Yong Qi (Yungchi) or Wu A Ge. Yungchi feels guilty and helps Hsiao Yence to meet with the Emperor. Being an orphan since young age, Hsiao Yence enjoys the attention given by the Emperor. But, life in the palace is not that simple. There are rules and also politics. Hsiao Yence struggles to adapt. From the male part, Hsiao Yence’s free and naïve behaviors quickly attracts the 5^th prince and his classmate, Fu Ertai. Yungchi even already attracted to Hsiao Yence the moment he met again with the girl, already wore the princess dress, but holds himself because he thinks she is his sister. By the time he knows the truth, the prince turns into a man who fights for his love. Meanwhile, Cewei waits outside the palace wall and attracts Fu Ertai’s older brother, Fu Erkang.

The first season is a phenomenon in China for being the first series which has global audience around the world. It’s such an achievement considering the low budget and the actors and actresses are new comers. Zhao Wei who portrays Hsiao Yence just graduated from art school, while Alec Su already famous by being a boyband member. Huan Zhu Ge Ge is the first time for both of them to act, and it came out very good.

In the sequel, Hsiao Yence and Cewei along with Yungchi and Erkang meet with new people and also struggle to live in the palace after Empress Dowager comes home from her spiritual trip. The difference from the first part is in the second series, the four of them are already engaged and we can see how they try to maintain the relationship, especially for Hsiao Yence and Yungchi. The difference between them is so deep. So many arguments, but in the end, we can see how much they care for each other to bridge their differences.

The sequel is also a hit. Not only made fans idolized the couple, there were also rumors along them. At one point, it said Alec developed feelings for Vicki due to the intense working hours, but he can’t because Vicki already had a boyfriend. And then, when they meet again for Romance In The Rain, Alec suddenly pay attention to Ruby Lin, the one who portrays Cewei. I don’t know which one is correct, but when Alec finally reunites with Vicki to become judges for China’s Got Talent season 5 he told Vicki they can have so many on-screen partners, but the first one is still the most special. I guess the truth is Alec still holds his admiration for his former co-star.

Zhao Wei and Alec Su as Hsiao Yence and Yungchi in the first and second season. They are the classic couple for the fans.

Hsiao Yence and Yungchi in their Han clothing. They wear the clothes when they go out from the palace.

In the third part, so many fans think the story is a downfall. Not only the series left by the three main casts, Chiung Yao also made Yungchi has to marry another woman in order to save his wife’s brother’s life. Even Yungchi’s decision to finally say goodbye to the palace and left his second wife to follow Hsiao Yence as he promised couldn’t cheer up the fans.

Louis Khoo and Huang Yi replace Alec Su and Zhao Wei as Hsiao Yence and Yunchi in the third series

If I recall Chiung Yao’s works before Huan Zhu Ge Ge, she also made some characters become second wife and even I remember one story where the lead male character falls in love with his sister in law (Belenggu Pintu Cinta in Bahasa translation). Reading Chiung Yao’s works is like asking to ourselves what kind of love we do prefer. The easy one or the hard one.

It’s just really shocking for the fans after watching how deep Yungchi’s love is for Hsiao Yence from the previous two series and then he easily agrees to marry another woman. Alec Su who portrays Yungchi in the first two seasons said he respects how Ms. Yao wrote about Yungchi in the third installment even though he didn’t take the part anymore (Louis Khoo replaced him for the role), but if he could give his opinion, Yungchi would never do that to Hsiao Yence.

Speaking of casts, the third installment has major replacement casts. I only recognize Huang Yi who replaced Zhao Wei as Hsiao Yence and Louis Khoo whom I recognize from Romance In The Rain series. I saw Huang Yi in Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon series while Louis Khoo, either coincidence or not, has work alongside the three main casts from Huan Zhu Ge Ge in Romance In The Rain. And one of them is Alec Su who is Wu A Ge himself. Well, that’s how showbiz goes, I guess.

Despite the fictional stories, some of the characters are real like The Emperor Qianlong, The Empress and the 5^th prince. Even Chiung Yao included the real background family story. In real history, Yungchi is the son of a concubine, Yu Fei. His mother is not a favorite, but Yungchi is a hardworking and dutiful child, so he and his mother have a relatively good life. Yungchi lost his mother when he’s still young and he turns into a quiet and introvert boy. This trait is also used by Chiung Yao for her Yungchi in Huan Zhu Ge Ge. Her Yungchi is luckier. In real life, Yungchi never had a romantic relationship, while in her story, Yungchi is deeply in love with Hsiao Yence.

As for myself, I prefer the first and second season and for the third season, there are many fanfictions which taking Hsiao Yence’s side. I guess in the end, fanfiction made by fans or even Chiung Yao, Hsiao Yence will come out from the palace eventually and Yungchi will follow her (to match the real history in which Yungchi only lives until the age of 25). Just like the Empress said in the third installment, “The palace can hold the Emperor, wives, concubines, maids, servants, princesses and princes, but never a little swallow bird.”

“Join The Mockingjay. Join The Fight.”

Finally, I get to see this movie. AT LAST!! And the bonus is I got to see it on the big screen. I almost forgot how great it is watching a movie in the theater ehee..

Well, let’s just say I haven’t read the book yet. Hell, I even haven’t read all the books since the first Hunger Games (sorry, Ms. Collins). But, for me is a treat so I can enjoy the movie with the suspenses, surprises, and all.

Mockingjay, according to wiki, is “the hybrid bird that is an important symbol—of hope and rebellion—throughout the books”. Collins likens Katniss to a Mockingjay because both “should never have existed”.

Mockingjay is the final installment of The Hunger Games trilogy which is separated into two parts, just like Twilight and Harry Potter. In this third movie (and the final one), we won’t see Katniss trying to survive in the games, but being a symbol of rebellion instead. It’s getting complicated when she finds out Peeta is being captured by the Capitol.

Like I said before, I haven’t read the books, but I really enjoy the movie. Not to mention Jennifer Lawrence can portrays Katniss with her emotional conflicts and her bravery to fight against the Capitol. For those of you who expect to see Gale more often, you get your wish in this movie. Even I have to say, Gale is pretty much in this one from the beginning until the end. It’s just Liam Hemsworth could’ve done better. Josh Hutcherson is beyond my expectation. I mean, I know the storyline and what would happen to Peeta (thanks to wiki), but watching it comes to life by Josh is beyond words. Director Francis Lawrence still doesn’t lose his touch. Actions, dramas, and the special effects, I love it all! Don’t forget Julianne Moore. After watching her in Map of The Stars, she gives another image of President Alma Coin. And of course, the mention of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in the credit title gives bittersweet moment.

I must say this one and The Maze Runner are the best young adult movies for this year. Oh, and don’t forget ‘The Hanging Tree’ sang by Katniss; it’s really memorable for me. Jennifer Lawrence indeed has amazing voice. She could think to become a singer someday.

Since the beginning of this year, there are at least two movies which surprise all the moviegoers and also public. A movie called ‘Noah’ starred by Russell Crowe had a lot of critics not only from moviegoers, but also from the religious leaders.

I’ve seen Noah movie and I must say it’s not really my cup of tea although it has some major plots according to some religion bibles, not to mention how he builds his ark. Even my country forbids this movie to show in theaters, but thanks to internet, I can get a peek on it.

After Noah, there’s Exodus: Gods and Kings, starring Christian Bale. Mr. Bale has good reputation in all the characters he played (even being Bruce Wayne) and in this movie he plays the Moses. Unlike Noah, this movie already showed in my country, but I haven’t watched it yet. According to some online reviews I’ve read, majority like the movie. Some major histories from the religion bibles are reportedly shown in this movie; probably including Moses rives the Red Sea.

Surprsingly, after Noah and Moses, and now it’s Isa the Prophet or the Christians called Jesus. This movie will be starred by Ewan McGregor and already in production. According the news, it will be showed in Sundance. I think it’s not for commercial.

Ewan McGregor as Jesus in ‘Last Days in The Desert’

Aside from those three movies, there is also a TV series called ‘King Suleiman’ and it will be aired in my local channel. We all know who Suleiman/Sulaiman is. He is not just a king. His kingdom is the reason Europe is the centre of Moslem existence back then, and he is also the Prophet.

‘King Suleiman’ TV series

I remember back then when I was a kid during the fasting month, there were documentary series about the prophets, but they never dared showing the Prophet’s face. Only the voice. And now in the 21^st century, everything is changed. I don’t know what’s wrong, but only hoping for the good.

Always remember to watch movies or series related to our belief with open-minded. And also to help us to know more about our religion’s bibles itself and getting us closer to our God. I know Noah movie is not close enough to what I’ve known, but how the movie showing ‘The Creator’ (that’s how Noah called his God) pours down the rain could give us an eye-opener on how small we are compared to the All Mighty.

“Dad became legend during Bakumutsu. The Dad I know is not even a swordsman.” – Kenji Himura, son of Kenshin Himura, in “Seisouhen” OVA.

Siapa yang tidak kenal Kenshin Himura. Mendengar namanya saja langsung terbayang sosok ahli pedang dengan rambut merah panjang dan luka ‘X’ di pipi kiri. Kudos untuk Nobuhiro Watsuki, sang pengarang, yang menciptakan karakter Kenshin. Awal dari ide coba-coba, tetapi akhirnya menjadi legenda di dunia manga (komik) Jepang. Manga nya cukup populer di akhir tahun 90an dan sekarang booming lagi karena film live action nya yang banyak mendapat pujian.

Takeru Sato as Kenshin Himura in 3 Rurouni Kenshin’s live action movies

Kenshin bukan karakter pertama cerita fiksi yang “tobat” dari kesalahannya. Tahun 90an ada Xena, sang warrior princess, yang juga dari dunia hitam dan kemudian membela kebenaran.

Kisah hidup Kenshin di manganya memang baru terbuka di saat Jinchu Arc, sekitar volume 20an. Sedangkan di versi animasi, kisah awal Kenshin tergambar di OVA pertamanya “Trust and Betrayal”. Dikisahkan bagaimana dia bisa bertemu dengan sensei-nya, Hiko, sampai akhirnya belajar Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. Itupun tidak sampai khatam karena dengan idealismenya, Kenshin memilih meninggalkan sang sensei di usia 14 tahun. Jika saja dia memilih kelompok yang benar, mungkin dia tidak perlu menjadi seorang ‘hitokiri’. Tapi, mungkin jalan hidup ini juga yang harus dia tempuh untuk belajar mengenal cinta dan akhirnya memilih bertobat. And no, it’s not Kaoru. Wanita pertama yang singgah di hati Kenshin adalah Tomoe Yukishiro.

Tomoe Yukishiro in “Trust and Betrayal” OVA

Kematian Tomoe inilah yang jadi penyulut Jinchu Arc. Di OVA ini juga diceritakan bagaimana Kenshin mendapatkan luka silang di pipinya itu. Dan versi OVA ini bisa dibilang lebih ‘berani’ dibanding anime dan manganya. Well, they are married anyway…you know what I mean *wink*

Setelah memutuskan bertobat, Kenshin memilih berkelana dan akhirnya setelah 10 tahun, ia tiba di Tokyo. Bagian hidupnya sebagai rurouni (pengembara) inilah yang menjadi bagian awal manganya dan juga diadaptasi ke dalam animenya (yang judulnya menjadi Samurai X) yang cukup sukses diputer di berbagai negara, termasuk Indonesia. Inget banget deh tuh stasiun tipinya yang depannya S hehe…

Saat inilah ia bertemu dengan Kaoru Kamiya, yang memberinya semangat dan merasa bisa diterima despite of the wrongs he did in the past.

Kenshin and Kaoru in anime version

Emi Takei and Takeru Sato as Kaoru and Kenshin in the live action movies

Dan tidak seperti tipe hero Hollywood yang memilih menghindar agar sang pujaan hati tidak terluka (yeah…klise), Kenshin tidak seperti itu. Ia menyambut uluran tangan Kaoru, walapun sang gadis berkali-kali terjebak dalam bahaya karena dirinya.

Kenshin rescues Kaoru in Rurouni Kenshin

Di versi anime, hampir semua lawannya Kenshin mengambil dari manganya. Beberapa dari lawan akhirnya menjadi kawan setia dan ada juga yang tetap di grey area, seperti Hajime Saito. Yang menarik adalah Hajime Saito memang ada di sejarah aslinya.

Versi anime berakhir dengan kekalahan Makoto Shisio, salah satu lawan terberat Kenshin. Episode akhir memperlihatkan Kenshin yang mengajak Kaoru bertamasya dan akhirnya memutuskan untuk tidak berkelana lagi.

Happy ending di anime, tidak berlaku di manga. Di versi manga, muncul satu lawan lagi yang menurut saya lebih berat dari Shisio. Dia adalah Enishi Yukishiro, adik dari Tomoe Yukishiro. Ring a bell? Inilah saat-saat terberat dan terkelam bagi Kenshin dan juga membaca komiknya pas bagian ini banyak nyess nya. Sayangnya, Enishi hanya muncul di versi manga. Di versi filmnya yang sudah jadi trilogi pun Enishi tidak muncul. Menurut saya, kalau difilmkan memang pasti akan darker, tapi bisa memberi gambaran bagaimana perasaan Kenshin terhadap Kaoru ataupun Tomoe. But, everything is okay in the end. Di versi manganya diperlihatkan kalau Kenshin sudah menikahi Kaoru dan memiliki putra, Kenji Himura. Settle down gitu deh ceritanya…

Kenshin and Kaoru with their son, Kenji

Kisah Kenshin ditutup dengan OVA yang berjudul “Seisouhen”. Ini bisa dibilang merupakan rangkuman dari semua cerita Kenshin baik manga maupun anime. Kenji juga diceritakan sudah berumur 15 tahun dan memiliki talent yang lebih hebat dari sang ayah. Seperti OVA yang pertama, disini juga ada scene yang ‘wow’ haha… Helloooo…akhirnya bisa ada Kenji pasti ada prosesnya dong wkwkwk…

Sayangnya, ceritanya tidak happy ending. Bahkan sang pengarang sendiri tidak menyukai OVA ini. Nobuhiro lebih memilih versi yang ia buat, Kenshin happy dengan Kaoru dan putranya, Kenji.

15-year-old Kenji Himura in “Seisouhen” OVA

Kisah cinta Kenshin dan Kaoru memang berliku. Bahkan seingat saya, mereka berdua tidak pernah bilang cinta atau sayang. Ekspresi perhatian mereka lebih kepada kata-kata yang lain. Beberapa bagian di manga yang memperlihatkan betapa pentingnya Kaoru bagi Kenshin adalah saat ia melawan Shisio dan Enishi. Di saat genting melawan Shisio, Kenshin berucap dia tidak boleh kalah karena ada seseorang yang menunggunya pulang (mudah-mudahan ini ada di film ketiganya). Dan saat berhadapan dengan Enishi, ketika Kaoru sudah tiada (sort of…), Kenshin langsung down. Yang ia ucapkan pada saat itu lebih powerful dari sekedar kata-kata ‘I Love You’. Sambil terduduk dengan pedang disampingnya, Kenshin berujar, “Untuk apa Hiten Mitsurugi. Apa artinya Kenshin Himura. Kalau aku tidak bisa melindungi orang yang paling kusayangi lagi….Nona Kaoru…Kaoru…” Mudah-mudahan bisa dibikin filmnya *ngarep*

Anyway, apapun versinya, yang pasti moral cerita dari sang ahli pedang ini adalah you still can change your fate. Berbuat kesalahan pasti ada, tinggal bagaimana kita bisa mengaku salah dan mempertanggungjawabkannya. Kenshin menganggap apa yang dia lakukan pada saat menjadi hitokiri adalah benar. Dan di saat jaman sudah berubah, ia tahu tidak bisa tetap berpegang teguh dengan keyakinannya. Ia pun mundur dan hanya menjadi seorang pengembara biasa dan tidak mau membunuh lagi. Keputusan ini juga yang akhirnya membawanya bertemu dengan Kaoru dan memberinya kesempatan merasakan kebahagiaan.

Seperti kata Kenji, sosok ayah yang ia kenal bukanlah seorang ahli pedang walaupun ia tahu sang ayah adalah legenda. Di masanya, Kenshin adalah legenda. Namun kemudian hanya menjadi seorang suami dan ayah.

Ah, Doraemon….

Si robot kucing dari masa depan yang kartunnya sudah diputar sejak saya masih SD. Dan sekarang setelah umur udah kepala 3 pun kartunnya masih tayang di jam dan stasiun tivi yang sama. Dari sejak tivi belum ada yang flat, komputer disketnya masih bisa buat kipas-kipas, sampai sekarang jaman sudah iPad dan WiFi, semua orang pasti tahu Doraemon. Dan ketika ada kabar film animasi 3D nya akan keluar, semuanya ikut menantikannya.

Rumor yang beredar menyebutkan bahwa ini ada final dari kartun dan juga komiknya, tapi setelah saya tonton justru ini merupakan awal dari petualangan Doraemon dan Nobita hanya saja dengan balutan teknik 3D.

Menceritakan karakter yang bernama Sewashi yang datang dari abad 22 ke masa kini untuk mengubah nasibnya di masa depan. Misi Sewashi adalah bertemu dengan Nobita yang merupakan kakek buyutnya. Sewashi membawa serta robot berbentuk kucing yang misinya adalah membantu Nobita untuk menemukan kebahagiaan yang juga akan berpengaruh pada nasib para keturunannya di masa yang akan datang.

Dari sinilah cerita akhirnya bergulir. Beberapa alat Doraemon yang terkenal seperti baling-baling bambu atau pintu kemana saja juga ada di film ini. Yang membuat surprise adalah karakter Nobita yang tampak lebih dewasa dibanding versi kartunnya. Elemen dramanya secara mengejutkan juga sukses bikin saya mewek. Kayanya baru kali ini saya nonton Doraemon, tapi bisa nangis dan gak malu juga umur udah gak unyu lagi, tapi bisa dibikin nangis sama karakter kartun. Duh, I’m a human too…

Di tengah tontonan sinetron yang memprihatinkan dan acara-acara tivi yang semakin tidak jelas, film Doraemon ini recommended banget untuk anak-anak. Kalau sinetron menjagokan karakter yang suka bullying, Doraemon mengajarkan untuk tidak perlu takut dengan bullying. Adegan ini juga yang cukup menyentuh karena kita pertama kalinya melihat Nobita stands up on his own melawan bully nya Giant.

Untuk kita-kita, Doraemon ini bisa untuk nostalgia dan untuk anak-anak, banyak pesan moral yang didapat dari film ini. Setelah film selesai pun, kesannya masih kerasa.

Sejak film live action nya nongol, seketika juga fandom Rurouni Kenshin bangun dari mati suri. Sejak terakhir keluarnya OVA Seisouhen (Eng. Translation: Reflection) sekitar tahun 2002 yang banyak dikecam fans, para fans Kenshin sepertinya menghilang entah kemana. Dan 10 tahun kemudian, ketika film pertamanya muncul tahun 2012, para fans pun bangkit kembali.

It’s really nice actually mengingat pada saat manga dan animenya berjaya, internet masih belum begitu dikenal disini. Dan sekarang disaat jaman serba internet, senangnya bisa kumpul dengan sesama fans. Dan tentu saja bagi para fans, selain kisah heroik sang ahli pedang berambut merah ini, kisah cintanya juga yang menjadi perhatian.

Sejak jaman franchise Twilight, dikenal adanya team anu dan itu. Yang berlanjut juga kepada Hunger Games, bahkan franchise Thor. Di Rurouni Kenshin dikenal dengan Team Tomoe dan Team Kaoru. Quite interesting karena biasanya kelompok team ini lebih mengacu kepada karakter laki-laki, tapi di cerita Kenshin karena tokoh utamanya adalah laki-laki, jadilah kelompok team nya perempuan.

Kiri: Kenshin dan Tomoe, Kanan: Kenshin dan Kaoru

Team Tomoe pastinya kelompok fans yang lebih menyukai Tomoe Yukishiro (later Tomoe Himura), istri pertama Kenshin, menjadi pasangan Kenshin, sedangkan sebaliknya bagi Team Kaoru. Tomoe adalah wanita pertama yang menjadi love interest Kenshin di saat dirinya masih menjadi seorang hitokiri. Yang bikin nyess adalah niat utama Tomoe untuk membalas dendam pada Kenshin karena sang ahli pedang membunuh tunangannya. Adegan ini juga terdapat di dua OVA Kenshin dan juga di filmnya, walaupun di film hanya diperlihatkan secara sekilas.

Tomoe di film Rurouni Kenshin (2012)

Saat inilah kita bisa liat bagaimana Kenshin mendapat luka pertamanya. Pernikahan mereka pun sebenarnya hanya pura-pura untuk menutupi jejak Kenshin. Pada saat Ishin Shishi digempur, Kenshin bersama Tomoe diungsikan ke Otsu, ke rumah sederhana di atas bukit. Disinilah mereka mulai dekat dan Kenshin masih belum mengetahui niat awal Tomoe. Disaat benih-benih cinta mulai timbul diantara keduanya (haiyaaaa bahasanya), seorang penghianat dari Ishin Shishi sendiri yang akhirnya membuka tabir Tomoe ini. Tomoe menghalangi sebilah belati yang akan menusuk Kenshin dengan menjadikan dirinya sendiri sebagai tameng. Pedang Kenshin akhirnya menebas tubuh Tomoe dan pada saat sekarat itulah, sang gadis memberi luka menyilang di atas luka yang sudah ada. Kenshin menyelesaikan tugasnya sebagai hitokiri dengan memakai selendang yang selalu dipakai Tomoe. Saat perang berakhir, Kenshin meletakkan selendang Tomoe di atas makam sang gadis sebelum mulai mengembara.

Sepuluh tahun kemudian, Kenshin berjumpa dengan Kaoru Kamiya, gadis pemilik dojo yang nama dojonya dicemarkan oleh seseorang yang mengaku sebagai hitokiri battousai. Dari sinilah kisah persahabatan antar Kenshin dan Kaoru dimulai yang akhirnya juga berbuah cinta.

Tomoe memang berbeda 180 derajat dari Kaoru. She is really a lady, sedangkan Kaoru cenderung lebih tomboy and a bad cook karena ditinggalkan ibunya sejak usianya masih sangat muda. Persamaannya hanya usia mereka yang hampir sama, Tomoe pada saat itu 18 tahun sedangkan Kaoru 17 tahun. Kenshin pada saat bersama Tomoe masih berumur 15 tahun dan saat bertemu Kaoru usianya sudah hampir 30 tahun (antara 28 dan 29 tahun). Banyak fans yang lebih menyukai Tomoe, tapi lebih banyak yang menyukai Kaoru.

As for me, I’m Team Kaoru all the way. Bukan berarti juga gak suka Tomoe sih…well, Tomoe yang membawa sisi manusia dari diri Kenshin, tapi Kaoru lah yang membuat Kenshin merasa dia bisa diterima walaupun dengan masa lalunya yang sangat kelam. Ditambah lagi Kaoru gives her heart totally for the redhead swordsman with no reservations sedangkan Tomoe awalnya diwarnai dengan sedikit betrayal. Hal inilah yang menjadi nilai sangat plus. Kenshin baru menyadari betapa Kaoru sangat penting bagi dirinya pada saat dia mengira Kaoru sudah tiada. Saya juga suka Kenshin yang bisa dengan bijak menyortir cinta yang dia punya. Dia memilih untuk hidup di masa kini dan untuk masa depannya yang secara tidak langsung artinya dia memilih Kaoru daripada Tomoe. Bagian di saat Kenshin berdoa di depan makam Tomoe untuk mengucapkan selamat tinggal sudah menjadi jawaban final siapa sebenarnya gadis yang benar-benar penting di hati Kenshin. Well, kita tau kan istilah ít’s not meant to be. At least Nobuhiro-sensei said so.

Kenshin dan Kaoru, Nobuhiro-sensei art work

Soal team siapa dan siapa, itu hak masing-masing. Mau ngarang fanfiction Kenshin happy ending sama Tomoe juga monggo…but, still the original nya kita taulah siapa pendamping Kenshin ya…punya anak laki-laki unyu pula ^_^

Entah apakah akan ada film lanjutan setelah trilogi yang sudah ada karena bagian Jinchuu Arc hanya ada di manga dan sedikit dimunculkan di OVA Seisouhen. Mungkin karena ceritanya yang sangat dark, sehingga agak sulit diadaptasi di film. Tapi, sebagai fans Kenshin, sangat mengharapkan bagian Jinchuu bisa difilmkan. Saat-saat paling dark, tapi juga sangat menyentuh.

Setelah hampir mengira ini adalah berita hoaks (bukan cuma hoaks di negara kita yang makin canggih), ternyata Warner Bros Jepang secara resmi mengumumkan petualangan Kenshin Himura akan berlanjut di film berikutnya.

Can you imagine how I feel when I read about the news????

YEEESSSSSS!!!!         

Akhirnya, impian hampir semua fans terwujud dan kita akhirnya bisa melihat Jinchuu Arc benar-benar difilmkan. Menurut laman Inggrisnya, film selanjutnya akan berjumlah dua buah, yang pertama tentang masa lalu Kenshin (sepertinya dengan latar belakang OVA Trust and Betrayal) dan yang kedua pertarungan Kenshin dengan Enishi, sang mortal enemy. Belum ada judul resmi dari dua filmnya karena proses syuting sendiri masih berlangsung sejak bulan November 2018 lalu. Namun, pihak WB Jepang berbaik hati memberikan first look dari dua film pamungkas Kenshin ini. Laman resmi bisa dilihat disini.

Bisa dilihat logo ‘X’ di bagian depan lamannya yang pasti semua fans Kenshin sudah tahu makna dari tanda tersebut. Dan ketika diklik bagian ‘First Look’nya…….

JENG JENG…..

KYAAAA!!!!

Is that Takeru Satoh?

I think the make-up department makes him looks younger for the purpose of the first movie. Film pertama dari dwilogi pamungkas ini akan rilis tahun depan.

Really can’t wait!!!!

Bagaimana dengan kalian, fans Rurouni Kenshin???