Pitiful.
This movie, according to credits, was "inspired" by the Japanese Chūshingura tales derived from real events that occurred around 1701. Several great films have been made from these stories; this was not one of them. The only things in common between this movie and what "inspired" it are a few names and the number 47.
Every element of this film was lacking. Plot, music, dialogue, characterization, sets & props, historical accuracy, cultural elements, sword play, pacing... everything except the pointless CG effects.
You might think I'm exaggerating; I am not. I like most things Japanese - food, culture, history, animé, films, Kendo (which I practiced for several years), and so I looked forward to this movie. I knew absolutely nothing about it before I saw it last night with a friend who is also a Kendoist and Japanophile. We were both shaking our heads and groaning in disappointment throughout most of the film.
There is no point in belaboring how bad this movie is simply because, unless you're a die-hard Keanu Reeves fan, there is nothing worth seeing. Even if you are a fan of Reeves, his most complicated dialogue was about three sentences of perhaps 30 words total; a completely flat performance (even for him).
If the people who wrote this film ever write and produce, say, The Battle of the Alamo, I'd expect to see a Mexican bruja casting spells and fighting Jim Bowie, a pointless love interest painfully inserted into the storyline, token characters shamelessly stereotyping cultural references in bad taste, sets reminiscent of model railroad kits, perhaps some large jackalopes being part of the leadup to the last stand, and a script that any stoned teenager could write.
Save your money, or see something else.
M
This movie, according to credits, was "inspired" by the Japanese Chūshingura tales derived from real events that occurred around 1701. Several great films have been made from these stories; this was not one of them. The only things in common between this movie and what "inspired" it are a few names and the number 47.
Every element of this film was lacking. Plot, music, dialogue, characterization, sets & props, historical accuracy, cultural elements, sword play, pacing... everything except the pointless CG effects.
You might think I'm exaggerating; I am not. I like most things Japanese - food, culture, history, animé, films, Kendo (which I practiced for several years), and so I looked forward to this movie. I knew absolutely nothing about it before I saw it last night with a friend who is also a Kendoist and Japanophile. We were both shaking our heads and groaning in disappointment throughout most of the film.
There is no point in belaboring how bad this movie is simply because, unless you're a die-hard Keanu Reeves fan, there is nothing worth seeing. Even if you are a fan of Reeves, his most complicated dialogue was about three sentences of perhaps 30 words total; a completely flat performance (even for him).
If the people who wrote this film ever write and produce, say, The Battle of the Alamo, I'd expect to see a Mexican bruja casting spells and fighting Jim Bowie, a pointless love interest painfully inserted into the storyline, token characters shamelessly stereotyping cultural references in bad taste, sets reminiscent of model railroad kits, perhaps some large jackalopes being part of the leadup to the last stand, and a script that any stoned teenager could write.
Save your money, or see something else.
M