I missed this one in the theaters, but watched it last night and was thoroughly enthralled.
The story, based on one of Japan's most beloved historical myths, is engrossing, the performances are solid, and the visuals absolutely beautiful. For once Keanu Reeve's emotionless acting style works, and the efforts of the 47 samurai to avenge their master's death at the hands of an evil witch and scheming warlord will have you rooting for them. I am surprised this didn't do better at the box office, because I found it completely entertaining.
Anyone else see this one?
I'm sure you meant 47 Ronin :wink:
Watched it when it came out on theatres. Thought it was pretty bad, I'm afraid. IMHO Keanu Reeves has no place in a 100% Japanese story, and the fantasy touches were pathetic.
Kinda liked it. Nothing I would watch regularly or even a second time, but I was entertained.
I haven't seen the movie yet, but read an article about the original story recently. After looking up a synopsis of the movie I was surprised about the "fantasy touch", because I thought the (arguably debatable) "original" material would make up for a great movie story.
I was very pleasantly surprised by 47 Ronin, as I thought it was going to be some over the top Hollywood rewriting of the original samurai tale. Well, it was. But I thought it was well done, and a very entertaining take on what was a tragic episode in Japanese history. This is Hollywood. We don't expect historical accuracy. We don't expect realism. We don't even expect to see the original people as characters. We expect to be entertained, and I think 47 Ronin did just that.
Is it as interesting as LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES (aka THE 7 BROTHERS MEET DRACULA)? I was lucky enough to get this on DVD with LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES (uncut) on one side and THE 7 BROTHERS MEET DRACULA (edited, shorter version) on the other side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh6H7vmoDGQ
Quote from: The Burgomaster on May 13, 2014, 01:51:52 PM
Is it as interesting as LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES (aka THE 7 BROTHERS MEET DRACULA)? I was lucky enough to get this on DVD with LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES (uncut) on one side and THE 7 BROTHERS MEET DRACULA (edited, shorter version) on the other side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh6H7vmoDGQ
Not to mention Shaw Brothers legend David Chiang doing his own English-speaking parts in all of his scenes, which is a real treat. One of the leading Shaw ladies is in it too, either Shih-Tzu or "Jenny." The Shaw's and Roy Ward Baker created a strange little movie and one that I enjoyed a lot.