Exceptionally shot, played, scored and staged, Kurosawa's follow-up to his hit comedic actioner Yojimbo is every bit as good as its predecessor, and far better photographed. Reprising his role as the nameless, slovenly, chin-scratching master swordsman, Mifune is in fine, ferocious form - as is Nakadai as yet another of so many imposing villains. The supporting cast is terrific, as well: veterans Takashi Shimura and Kamatari Fujiwara ham it up delightfully as a pair of witless antagonists, Yuzo … more