Kingdom

In China during the Warring States period, Xin, raised as a slave, and his friend dream of becoming generals. During a coup Xin encounters Ying Zheng, the young king who has just been deposed, and their aims converge on retaking the throne. Shinsuke Sato adapts Yasuhisa Hara's long-running manga and carries as much of its scale as the budget allows. Kento Yamazaki leads. The strength is in the individual duels rather than the mass battles, with clean choreography and a camera that does not over-cut. The story is built to continue and sequels duly followed. The desert passages are the most visually memorable. Who it is for: viewers who like Japanese manga adaptations and historical action. Who it is not for: anyone wanting a closed story, since this is openly the first part of a series.