Let's not beat around the bush: this is even better than I could have hoped! 'Neko samurai' is joyously over the top and tongue-in-cheek, yet played perfectly straight by the cast and certainly in every aspect of its craft. It's a must-see for cat lovers like myself, not just on account of the felines themselves but certainly for all those many, many small details woven into the scene writing, minutiae that ailurophiles will recognize as part and parcel of Life With Cats. Appreciators of Kingdom Animalia at large will also feel right at home, though, for compassion and care for animals is at the core of everything the film represents with a narrative that effectively boils down to stumbling one's way into being a better person by virtue of love of animals. And even for wide general audiences there's much to enjoy here, for it's both funny and heartfelt at the same time it conveys a compelling story. 'Neko samurai' is a blast!
Playful and endlessly charming, this is nonetheless just as fabulously well made as any more plainly sincere, straightforward samurai movie. The production design and art direction are gorgeous, with costume design, props, and weapons but a half-step behind. Direction, cinematography, lighting, production values generally, music - all just as truly warm, rich, and genuinely satisfying as what one could hope for from most any picture. To opposite but equal ends, the screenplay is an utter delight, perfectly blending together the jocular, lighthearted tone with reliable, classic notions of earnest genre fare. This applies very emphatically to the dialogue and characters just as much to the scene writing, narrative, and plot development, as well as the thematic content. And the cast, bless them, achieve that same extraordinary deft balance, coming off as very serious-minded even in the moments of utmost jest. Case in point, has anyone ever held a stern glare the way star Kazuki Kitamura does for almost the entirety of these 100 minutes?!
I laughed, I cheered, I (very nearly) cried, I had my heart melted just as surely as protagonist Madarame Kyutaro did his. I was surprised to find the feature boasts significantly less swordplay and action than I supposed, but very honestly, 'Neko samurai' didn't need it to be as terrifically fun as it is - and just as much to the point, such violence would stand counter to what the feature represents. And what is this? Not just a celebration of cats, and animals at large, but what the companionship of an animal can mean for people. It doesn't matter what "genre" you're talking about, for I speak of superhero flicks and sci-fi romps as much as horror, westerns, or adventure: very, very, astoundingly few are those genre films that can claim even a fraction of as much heart as this one does. Such tremendous wit and intelligence was poured into every single facet of the production, making it at once (a) something one can really sink their teeth into, (b) concretely centered around definite messaging, AND (c) roundly, inescapably entertaining.
I don't know what more I can say without betraying plot points or other foreknowledge. Suffice to say that no matter who you are, this title is a fantastic time, both satisfying and rewarding. I'm hard-pressed to imagine anyone not stepping away from this with a smile on their face. However you need to go about watching it, 'Neko samurai' is a splendid must-see. Two polydactyl thumbs up and my highest recommendation!
