Baby Assassins 2 makes it look easy. The sequel does what all sequels should do. Do more of what worked and do less of what didn’t. Writer/director Yugo Sakamoto continues to create this unique twee (in the best way possible) world giving a stage for stars Akari Takaishi and Saori Izawas and their unique and beautiful chemistry.
The sequel picks up right where the original left off with Mahiro (Izawas) and Chiasto (Takaishi) on suspension from their full-time work as assassins. A mix-up with a gym membership and their medical insurance from the assassin guild puts them into further trouble. New regular jobs, gambling, deserts, and a duo of boy assassins who want their full-time work all contribute to Mahiro and Chiasto’s new set of issues.
By leaning out of the “villain” roles and focusing on Mahiro and Chiasto’s daily life we get the best of what we loved about the original. The film feels more like a “hang out” film where we spend time with these best friends. There is something delightful about how these two exist scrolling, talking, eating, and all other forms of creature comforts as much as it entertains. The way that Sakamoto writes the film in conversation circles that never involved the clichés of films about young women – primarily boys.
That isn’t to say it’s some precious film about friendship. The action is as good if not surpasses the original. The original may have had bigger scenes but there’s a refinement to the cinematography, geography, and editing that focuses everything. The work of accomplished action director Kensuke Sonomura continues to be the delight of the series. His work in the original was flashy and stylish. It remains that but leaning out the fights and focusing on the more personal one-on-one combat gives the film a slightly different flavor of action.
Baby Assassins 2 delivers what would want from any sequel, less of what didn’t work and more of what did. The result is an emerging action-comedy series that is rarest of all – featuring two female leads.
Note: stick around for the end credits for something special.
The Transfer
The transfer provided to Well Go USA is another winner in a long line of winners. The digitally shot film looks crisp and sharp on Blu-Ray. The only way this one could look any better is if Well Go USA released a 4K UHD version of the film – one can only hope that both films get released eventually in the format.
The Extras
None were included in this release.
The Final Thought
Well Go USA continues to bring the best of the best in Asian genre cinema to the US with great picture and sound, Baby Assassins 2 is no exception. Recommended.
The Baby Assassins are back and are as baby and assassin-y as ever in Baby Assassins 2. New to Blu-ray from Well Go USA.
The Film
Baby Assassins 2 makes it look easy. The sequel does what all sequels should do. Do more of what worked and do less of what didn’t. Writer/director Yugo Sakamoto continues to create this unique twee (in the best way possible) world giving a stage for stars Akari Takaishi and Saori Izawas and their unique and beautiful chemistry.
The sequel picks up right where the original left off with Mahiro (Izawas) and Chiasto (Takaishi) on suspension from their full-time work as assassins. A mix-up with a gym membership and their medical insurance from the assassin guild puts them into further trouble. New regular jobs, gambling, deserts, and a duo of boy assassins who want their full-time work all contribute to Mahiro and Chiasto’s new set of issues.
By leaning out of the “villain” roles and focusing on Mahiro and Chiasto’s daily life we get the best of what we loved about the original. The film feels more like a “hang out” film where we spend time with these best friends. There is something delightful about how these two exist scrolling, talking, eating, and all other forms of creature comforts as much as it entertains. The way that Sakamoto writes the film in conversation circles that never involved the clichés of films about young women – primarily boys.
That isn’t to say it’s some precious film about friendship. The action is as good if not surpasses the original. The original may have had bigger scenes but there’s a refinement to the cinematography, geography, and editing that focuses everything. The work of accomplished action director Kensuke Sonomura continues to be the delight of the series. His work in the original was flashy and stylish. It remains that but leaning out the fights and focusing on the more personal one-on-one combat gives the film a slightly different flavor of action.
Baby Assassins 2 delivers what would want from any sequel, less of what didn’t work and more of what did. The result is an emerging action-comedy series that is rarest of all – featuring two female leads.
Note: stick around for the end credits for something special.
The Transfer
The transfer provided to Well Go USA is another winner in a long line of winners. The digitally shot film looks crisp and sharp on Blu-Ray. The only way this one could look any better is if Well Go USA released a 4K UHD version of the film – one can only hope that both films get released eventually in the format.
The Extras
None were included in this release.
The Final Thought
Well Go USA continues to bring the best of the best in Asian genre cinema to the US with great picture and sound, Baby Assassins 2 is no exception. Recommended.
Well Go USA’s Blu-Ray edition of Baby Assassins 2 is out April 2nd
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