With the first movie being super popular, it's no surprise a sequel was greenlit. I saw this in my local cinema way back in September as a big Gintama fan and enjoyed it!
Story:
Although I mainly recommend this film to fans of the original series, anyone who's seen the first film should be able to understand this film too (the plots aren't related but you'll understand the general feel of the series and will be familiar with the characters, including the Shinsengumi who play a big role here). Like last time, a few comedic stories start the movie to show off classic Gintama wackiness before the big action-filled plot kicks in. A new character -- well respected Shinsengumi member Itou, whom Hijikata doesn't get along with -- schemes to take over the organisation. Betrayal ensues. Assassination scheming ensues. The power of friendship ensues. Parodies, fourth-wall breaking and dirty humour ensues.
While the plot isn't unique, it definitely tugged my heartstrings more than the first movie. Any bad CGI moments didn't really catch my eye this time since there's less of it; and I enjoyed the action more than the last movie, it felt better choreographed most of the time. Comedy is the highlight as always (I hope you're ready for more pixellated vomit and nudity), although the occasional scene felt longer than necessary. Re: the "faithfulness", there are multiple minor changes to the story, like the Shogun becoming more involved in the plot. They're nothing deal-breaking but aren't great changes imo (for example all the big action in the last half of the movie happens at daytime which I thought ruined the intensity a little).
Characters/acting:
I found the cast pretty solid last time and my opinion hasn't changed; again only the ever-so-dull Takasugi fell flat, but fortunately he has significantly less scenes here. Good spotlight for the Shinsengumi trio who only played a small part in the first movie; Ryo Yoshizawa as Okita again is my highlight, and though I'm not entirely convinced by Yuuya Yagira I think he did a decent job at portraying both Hijikata (the serious demon chief) and his alternate personality Tosshi (a wimpy otaku). The Yorozuya remain as humorous as ever, with a special shoutout to Shun Oguri as our favourite slacker Gintoki of course.
The new cast was also enjoyable, even if a few of them (Otose, Sarutobi) ended up with a lot less screentime than advertised. Itou is your standard misunderstood shounen antagonist but very enjoyable, and Haruma Miura did him justice. Ryo Katsuji does well to bring out the Shogun's dignified presence despite all the humiliation he faces. My only peeve was Otae's boss (Jiro Sato, who actually played another character in the last movie, the lolic-- uh, self-proclaimed feminist); his 5 minutes of screentime was enough to annoy me with his incredibly unfunny comedy routine.
Music:
OST is nothing memorable but nothing out of place either. A certain wild rap appears, and though not iconic like its anime counterpart it's still funny. Back Number's ending song for the movie, Daifuseikai (roughly "a very wrong answer") is pretty good.
Overall comments:
If you enjoyed (or at least didn't dislike) the first film then you'll like the sequel too since it's very similar in quality and enjoyment levels. Most definitely not a replacement for the anime and manga, nor the greatest film of all the time. Just a harmless funny action movie that will keep you entertained.
Story:
Although I mainly recommend this film to fans of the original series, anyone who's seen the first film should be able to understand this film too (the plots aren't related but you'll understand the general feel of the series and will be familiar with the characters, including the Shinsengumi who play a big role here). Like last time, a few comedic stories start the movie to show off classic Gintama wackiness before the big action-filled plot kicks in. A new character -- well respected Shinsengumi member Itou, whom Hijikata doesn't get along with -- schemes to take over the organisation. Betrayal ensues. Assassination scheming ensues. The power of friendship ensues. Parodies, fourth-wall breaking and dirty humour ensues.
While the plot isn't unique, it definitely tugged my heartstrings more than the first movie. Any bad CGI moments didn't really catch my eye this time since there's less of it; and I enjoyed the action more than the last movie, it felt better choreographed most of the time. Comedy is the highlight as always (I hope you're ready for more pixellated vomit and nudity), although the occasional scene felt longer than necessary. Re: the "faithfulness", there are multiple minor changes to the story, like the Shogun becoming more involved in the plot. They're nothing deal-breaking but aren't great changes imo (for example all the big action in the last half of the movie happens at daytime which I thought ruined the intensity a little).
Characters/acting:
I found the cast pretty solid last time and my opinion hasn't changed; again only the ever-so-dull Takasugi fell flat, but fortunately he has significantly less scenes here. Good spotlight for the Shinsengumi trio who only played a small part in the first movie; Ryo Yoshizawa as Okita again is my highlight, and though I'm not entirely convinced by Yuuya Yagira I think he did a decent job at portraying both Hijikata (the serious demon chief) and his alternate personality Tosshi (a wimpy otaku). The Yorozuya remain as humorous as ever, with a special shoutout to Shun Oguri as our favourite slacker Gintoki of course.
The new cast was also enjoyable, even if a few of them (Otose, Sarutobi) ended up with a lot less screentime than advertised. Itou is your standard misunderstood shounen antagonist but very enjoyable, and Haruma Miura did him justice. Ryo Katsuji does well to bring out the Shogun's dignified presence despite all the humiliation he faces. My only peeve was Otae's boss (Jiro Sato, who actually played another character in the last movie, the lolic-- uh, self-proclaimed feminist); his 5 minutes of screentime was enough to annoy me with his incredibly unfunny comedy routine.
Music:
OST is nothing memorable but nothing out of place either. A certain wild rap appears, and though not iconic like its anime counterpart it's still funny. Back Number's ending song for the movie, Daifuseikai (roughly "a very wrong answer") is pretty good.
Overall comments:
If you enjoyed (or at least didn't dislike) the first film then you'll like the sequel too since it's very similar in quality and enjoyment levels. Most definitely not a replacement for the anime and manga, nor the greatest film of all the time. Just a harmless funny action movie that will keep you entertained.
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