Unless requested I will not do a formal review, but for the record I would give the movie a 5.5. For a Samurai movie it was rather good. The battles were fierce and quick; the actors did a good job; the dubbing was the best I have ever heard (it was performed by Japanese folks and they left in the honorifics and a spattering of Nihongo); the story was as to be expected with Zatoichi, and in a way that was disappointing as it was very much like the 1989 version I had just seen.

As to why I rate it so low: * The aforementioned lack of originality in the story * The digital effects with the blood and the stabbing was highly distracting being completely unrealistic (I could see digital sword points on the other side of impaled victims, and they were often at an odd and improper angle) * Neither myself nor my wife (who actually watched it) could stand the Broadway Chorus line at the end. I think I was quoted saying "WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!" when I saw it. The entire movie is a period piece and very Japanese, then at the end Stomp makes a guest appearance and we are whisked away to Ireland for a Broadway inspired tap-dance extravaganza. This alone lost it 3 point in my book.

There. I've said it. If I could ignore that terrible scene at the end I would have given it an 8.5. And yes, my wife actually watched it with me, so it's really not all that bad at all.