Blade of the Immortal is Takashi Miike’s 100th film. Perhaps he, too, feels like an ageless warrior who can’t possibly be harmed each time he gets behind the camera. And while this new effort may lack for originality, it certainly has its share of pluck.

[A]n interminable samurai gorefest… [Never] deviate[s] from its one emotional and tonal note, a sort of gray resignation that takes no fun in over-the-top vengeance.

Miike has his own wicked sense of humour and while there is plenty of stunning fight choreography; the real draw is Manji’s relationship with the little girl.