Inclubabu
Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.
Tedfoldol
everything you have heard about this movie is true.
Aedonerre
I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.
Orla Zuniga
It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
Sean Lamberger
Where the Lone Wolf and Cub adventure has been delightfully frenetic up to this point, the fifth film is a decided change of pace. Much more deliberate and pensive, Baby Cart in the Land of Demons spends an unusual amount of time in one place, toying with a more nuanced (at times even confusing) story, while also fleshing out an important supporting character. Young Daigoro, stone-faced son of the wandering master at the center of this great storm, finally gets his close-up and proves to be every bit as determined, soft-spoken and unflappable as his father. His scenes are the ones that stuck with me afterward, resonating in a way that felt fresh while also remaining loyal to the saga's identity. Daddy, meanwhile, has his hands full with a difficult five-pronged onslaught and a pair of complex, intertwined kill contracts. His actions at the film's climax once more cast the character in dark grey fabric, a recurring theme for the series, and prove that (where duty is concerned) he hasn't changed all that much from the very first time we met. Less visceral and rubber-tendoned than any of the earlier entries, and perhaps overly ambitious with that tangled primary storyline, it's good stuff if a touch below the standard its brethren have thus far maintained. An outlier in many ways.
Leofwine_draca
The indefatigable Itto Ogami continues his journey through feudal Japan with his son in tow. BABY CART IN THE LAND OF DEMONS is the fifth in the six-film series and for the first time, the film shows signs of flagging. It's not that I didn't enjoy this movie, because I did; rather, I started to find the plot shenanigans to be ever-so-slightly familiar, if not a little tired. Much of what goes on in the film has been seen before, and although the action sequences are as vivid as ever, there's little here that hasn't been done previously (and better).As per usual, Ogami finds himself caught up in plotting between various factions and must form political allegiances to see him through. The opening of the film sees him tackling a series of martial arts masters, all of whom test him unawares to make sure he's worthy of the job. The plot then takes a lengthy and slightly pointless detour to a market village where Daigoro is accused of helping a pickpocket conduct her business. Although this sequence has been incorporated to allow greater characterisation of Ogami's son, I found it dragged the pacing down to crawling speed.Thankfully, things pick up for a relatively exciting climax which sees Ogami finishing off his job. There's still a great deal of entertainment value from watching the various characters occupying different positions in Japanese society at this time and how they react to our hero. The cast give understated performances and the action is typically well shot, but I'm actually looking forward to the end of this series now: better to end on a high than dragging it into the ground.
MartinHafer
While this film has some serious weaknesses, it deserves kudos for being the one and only Lone Wolf and Cub film that does NOT include someone being raped or there being an attempted rape! Now this does not mean it's exactly family-friendly, as there are tons of killings, swimming pool's worth of blood-letting and a lot of crazy violence. Just think twice before you let your kids watch this or any of the Lone Wolf an Cub movies.The beginning of this film is highly reminiscent of the plot of Bruce Lee's "The Game of Death". Ogami Itto must defeat one master after another in order to proceed to the next level--the assassination of an evil priest who is actually working for the dreaded Yagyu clan! There is a plot about the substitution of a girl for the male heir to a clan that is related to all this. H stupid in MANY ways. However, the way this is all revealed to Itto is cool...but also pretty stupid if you think about it. It begins with a samurai challenging Itto. Itto naturally kills the guy but instead of just dying instantly like 95% of Itto's victims, he manages to hold on long enough to give an incredibly explanation for the challenge--to determine IF this man was The Lone Wolf and Cub as well as to determine if his skills are up to the task for a new assignment. Then, one at a time, another member of this totally insane clan comes to challenge Itto and each time, the slain man manages to hold on long enough to give more information to Itto as he's dying. The craziest of which involved a guy falling into the fire and giving details as he bleeds to death and roasts alive!! It's neat to watch but makes zero sense. If any one of these men died instantly (like most normally do), then they would not have delivered each detail to him. Does this make any sense at all?!?! Plus, why waste several talented samurai like this?! Why not have the guys just go to Itto and give him the information and commission?! It's neat to watch but pretty dumb. Later, a tough-fighting lady attacks Itto, but she does not want to kill him but talk to him about the assassination the others asked him to perform--and get him to perform three more. However, she is NOT stupid and does not wish to be killed like the other idiots! She is, incidentally, not of the same idiot clan! In between these meetings, there is an odd plot involving Itto's child, Daigoro, and a pickpocket. It's pretty interesting and shows that the little boy is every bit the stoic little nut-case his father is! You just have to see this to know what I mean.Later, Lord Restudo sends his 'shadow Yagyu' to escort the evil priest. Naturally, Itto is hiding nearby--waiting to complete his contract. How he does, however, is something I sure couldn't have anticipated!! This and the subsequent getaway scene is probably the best part of the movie.From here on, it's a matter of Itto delivering the latter he got off his victim. But, when this moment arrives, don't think it's the end...as Itto has to make things right within this clan, as someone is usurping the throne and all must be made right...thanks to a massive blood-letting. The final scene where you learn exactly who the mystery woman was who helped him is a fitting finale.So is the film worth seeing? Well, yes if you like the series. Despite the stupid beginning, the rest of the film is pretty good and exciting. I noticed one reviewer indicated the film was very confusing and didn't make sense--perhaps due to the bad dubbing. Well, I saw a captioned version on DVD from AnimEigo and it was not difficult to understand.
EVOL666
This is part 5 of the legendary BABY CART series, which deals with ronin assassin Ogami Itto and his son Daigoro. They are on a mission to destroy the Yagyu clan for their betrayal, and to avenge the death of Itto's wife.More beautiful battles and swordplay - this one primarily centering around 5 warriors that Itto must battle in throughout the film to earn his bounty and the clues that he needs to take on his next "hit" - to kill a crazy clan leader before the clan falls apart.Full of beautiful cinematography, great action and swordplay, excellent acting, and the strange yet touching relation ship between Itto and Daigoro - the BABY CART series is not to be missed for those that enjoy martial arts films. I highly recommend the whole series. 8.5/10