LONE WOLF & CUB: Baby Cart At The River Styx

Title: LONE WOLF & CUB: Baby Cart At The River Styx
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Action/Drama
Language: Japanese (Eng. Subs)

Ogami Itto: You Yagyu's tactics are despicable!

The second entry of the terrific series, Baby Cart At The River Styx is the apex, the finest feature about the toils of hero Ogami Itto. Much more plot dense than the initial film, the story this time centers around Itto's hiring to dispatch a traitor of the Awa clan, who is threatening to sell the clans secret to a dye process, which is their main source of prosperity. He must accomplish this while still being relentlessly assaulted by wave after wave of Yagyu assassins, chief among them being the Akashi Yagyu Clanswomen, an elite force of battling bitches. They are also aided by the Kurokuwa Shinobi (ninja spies), who wish Itto dead for their own reasons.

In comparison to the first picture, one first notes that Ogami's 17th century feudal world is much more fleshed out. The viewer is led into villages, and allowed to see how life was lived in the times, as well as various other aspects of the era( street vending, roadside places of worship, etc....). The meticulous attention to period detail allows for complete envelopment in the world, the action unfolding with completely convincing authenticity.

The camera work is first rate, albeit much more stylistic than the previous entry. Many flashy camera moves, trick photography, and effects are utilized to tell the tale. Color is vivid and full blooded (no pun intended), and provides exciting visuals throughout, especially during the copious combat sequences. Always one of the most appealing elements of the series, the stunning cinematography really serves the subject matter well, and adds a certain charm and magic to the proceedings.

Another big change from the first film is that Ogami is given much more to do as his character is becoming more three dimensional. His relationship with his son Daigoro becomes increasingly intimate and touching, and his treatment of other characters goes beyond showing them the edge of his blade. Itto's humanity becomes apparent, and it adds a new complexity to his usually stoic and stern demeanor. More changes in the series arise as well, as humor is added(blatantly absent from the first) to the mix, and the soundtrack has become more prevalent, be it music or plain sound effects, again apparent in scarcity in the first film.

The real star of the Lone Wolf & Cub epic is the combat of course, and this entry certainly doesn't diverge from that path. One will note however that the battles have become more fanciful and stylized. While the blood spurting violence is still in full effect, the combat itself is now more dynamic and whimsical at the same time. Unreal leaps and flips have worked their way into the action, adding an exciting new element that increases the drama of the scenes. The secrets of Daigoro's baby cart are also revealed, the rig being a virtual arsenal loaded up with various swords and gadgets that aid in Ogami's dispatching of his many enemies. Very cool.

Another interesting element of the picture is that Ogami is shown to be very human, and not invincible. He takes quite the beating in this one, and the viewer is often uncertain how his fate will play out. This also leads to a clever scene where Daigoro is solely responsible to save his mortally wounded father. It builds on their unique relationship, and further connects the viewer to the characters. You really begin to care about these poor souls.

Exciting and always entertaining, Baby Cart At The River Styx builds to the ultimate climactic battle with the three Gods of Death - incidentally, these characters would re-appear several years later in John Carpenter's Big Trouble In Little China, as the Three Storms - who are protecting and escorting the Awa traitor. The battle scenes are terrific, and Ogami faces his biggest challenge yet. While the outcome is never in doubt, the tension and dilemma of the situation are palpable. It is a triumphant end to the episode, and an exclamation mark on one of the greatest samurai pictures ever made. Magnificant.