47 Ronin Movie Blurb by Shale December 25, 2013 It's Christmas Day, time to join the throngs of heathens who spend their time on this Holy Day in a movie theater. I had nothing better to do but what happened to families gathering around the tree, opening presents and the kids spending the rest of the day trying to break all their new toys. But NO, everyone has to pack into the Cineplex, where I usually take in a matinee with a dozen or fewer ppl. It was crowded, very few empty seats and I had to move because the inconsiderate fone addict next to me could not stop turning on that damned annoying light in a dark auditorium. Anyhow, I have been seeing the trailers to this movie and I like watching Keanu Reeves playing a half-breed Japanese in a Samurai flick, so thot I'd pick it up on opening day. I went into this movie without any prep, except for the images in the trailers. I had no idea it was based on a true story from feudal Japan in the early 18th Century and that it is one of the most inspiring stories in Japanese culture. I was just thrilled to see it follow real Samurai, Bushido traditions and not a bunch of wirework action like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. However, this movie did interject mythical monsters, witches, magic and a fictional character, Kai (Keanu Reeves) that was not one of the real 47 Ronin. For those who did not watch the latest Wolverine movie, a Ronin is a Samurai without a master. The movie starts with the boy, Kai being found by Lord Asano (Min Tanaka) and taken in against the advice of his Samurai retainers. He grows up as an outcast but is a capable servant and is befriended by Asano's daughter Mika. When he is grown, he demonstrates warrior ability by saving a Samurai's life while fighting a mythical beast. The Samurai is actually pissed that this underling saved his life. We start seeing how seriously deadly the Bushido code can be. Also, Mika (Kou Shibasaki) has fallen in love with him, which cannot happen since he is not a nobleman or Samurai. Kai & Mika Lord Asano gets into disagreement with an overbearing Lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano) who is working for the Shogun. The witch Mizuki (Rinko Kikuchi) who is working for Lord Kira, puts a spell on Asano, making him attack Kira in the Shogun palace which is a terminal offence. The Shogun grants him an honorable death at his own hands. This leaves Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada) the leader and all of Lord Asano's retained Samurai without a master and they are banned from the realm with explicit orders from the Shogun not to seek revenge. Kai is taken and sold into slavery to Europeans on the coast (where you get a cameo appearance of Rick Genest as Savage) and Mika is betrothed to Lord Kira after a year of mourning for her father. Oishi & Ronin Bow Out But, these are Samurai and Bushido code allows for revenge when someone causes the death of your master. And Oishi plans to do just that. Kira figures that and throws him in a pit for a while. It takes over a year to get to Lord Kira to let down his guard so that they can mount an attack and Oishi finds and frees Kai to assist him. Kai & Oishi Join Forces So that is the set up. After reading about the actual events, which did not mention witchcraft, huge mythical beasts or enchanted swords from some mystical alien looking ppl in a mountain, there were also some deviation from the reality involving some of the actual characters. Kai with special sword (not a Jedi Light Saber - But Close) But, I didn't even know it was based on true events until after the movie, so it was entertaining to me. Imagine my surprise when I later read that it only garnered 11% fresh from the aggregate reviews on Rottentomatoes. But, like me 69% of audiences liked it. This movie was made in English and Japanese versions, shot in both languages. It used mostly Japanese actors who were not known elsewhere in the world. It has a 3-D version but I watched it in 2-D and it didn't seem to pander to the gimmick. Also, it is rated PG-13, which I did not have to look up because there were bloodless beheadings. (I hate that the MPAA makes them avoid reality to get a lower rating - kids should know that there is a lot of blood spurt with a beheading) I will probably get it when it comes out on DVD.
I personally liked the movie it was pretty cool in 3d. I liked kumiko the shapeshifter,and how they incorporated mythology in the movie.
