After reading the reviews of others I got an impression that people didn't understand the message the movie or the main hero tried to convey (or they just expected something totally different, by comparing it to director's other work). Yes, the catharsis here is not as strong as in the original, and generally it's not as complete. Nonetheless, the story is masterfully told both visually and emotionally and the actors perfectly fit their roles, so for me it was a very moving, very strong experience.
There is one detail in the third act that makes a difference between the two movies (in favor of the original). There is also a slight, but subtle, difference in the messages of the movies. The message of the original is that honor and principles are empty words, without much substance behind them. People living by them are hypocrites. The message of this one is that the intrinsic value of life is (or should be) higher than any honor bound principles. And this is a much personal message not tying itself to times, places or nations.
There is one detail in the third act that makes a difference between the two movies (in favor of the original). There is also a slight, but subtle, difference in the messages of the movies. The message of the original is that honor and principles are empty words, without much substance behind them. People living by them are hypocrites. The message of this one is that the intrinsic value of life is (or should be) higher than any honor bound principles. And this is a much personal message not tying itself to times, places or nations.