Given that previous films from Japanese shock cinema master Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, Audition) have featured title screens written in semen, explicit homages to the conclusion of The Grapes of Wrath and uh, the entire earth exploding, the trailer for 13 Assassins actually looks kind of tame. But that's like saying David Lynch's Blue Velvet looks "normal" compared to Inland Empire.
Based on the trailer, I'd say we're basically dealing with Miike's version of The Seven Samurai, which means that there are now thirteen samurai and that all of that pesky build-up and characterization has been replaced with more epic battles. The audacious filmmaker seems to play it pretty straight with the period setting (none of the samurai suddenly pull out bazookas here.), but he doesn't skimp on ridiculous explosions, falling buildings and tough posturing. Just watch that one samurai's face as he drags the sword across his arm!
Based on the way this trailer is edited, I'm guessing Miike doesn't skimp on the arterial spray either, since almost every cut happens right as a sword or other sharp object is about to connect with a body. But there's only one way to find out for sure!
Verdict: Sold!