There's a reason that there aren't many good sequels out there, let alone two to make up a trilogy. The first film is usually the best with significant fall-off from there. I can only think of a few trilogies that are rock solid from first to last. This is one of the few.

Kenshin finds himself back with his old master. He doesn't know if Kaoru is alive or not. We can see the despair and rage in his eyes. He pleads with his master to teach him the ultimate technique that might help him defeat Shishio and his minions.

People with Kenshin's past often find it more challenging to live. They view their own lives as sacrifice and recompense for a tumultuous and far-from-ideal past. Kenshin's master has to remind him that he cannot fear life, and he can't look at his own life as being of less worth than anyone else's. In other words, he can't sacrifice his life to save others because he views others' lives as being greater than his own. This reminds me a bit of Nathan Algren from "The Last Samurai" who is so wracked with guilt and shame that he pretty much wishes for death, and he can't help but wonder how and why he's escaped death so many times.

We also find that the new government--out of fear of Shishio--puts out a call for Kenshin's arrest at Shishio's demands. First thing is first, of course. Kenshin needs to recollect himself as well as find himself before he's ready to take on Shishio.

The climactic battle doesn't disappoint as Kenshin and a few of his newfound allies--some who are former enemies--fight side-by-side to rid Japan of its most evil and devastating enemy. The battle sequences are so long that even I was starting to feel as tired as the characters who were fighting. And, of course, the same question remains: can Kenshin defeat Shishio without killing him.

Kenshin is easily one of the deepest and most profound heroes in recent cinematic history. A man who doesn't say very much, but we know and admire the complexity of the man and his newfound mission: to save those who cannot save themselves and to do so without taking a life.

In many ways, Kaoru is Kenshin's rock. She serves as a reminder, that no matter how difficult it may be, Kenshin can serve his mission and live by his code. Kaoru serves as the ultimate companion. The person who believes in us even when we begin to doubt ourselves. And perhaps it is the deep, underlying philosophy at the core of these films that makes them delve far deeper than any typical action film.

In short, this is one of the best action trilogies I've ever seen, and the action lies on the periphery if its heart, its wisdom, and the belief that a man can, indeed, change.