47 Ronin

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is 47 Ronin.

Directed by Carl Rinsch.

Written by Chris Morgan & Hossein Amini.

Screen Story by Chris Morgan & Walter Hamada.

Review #239

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, and thematic elements.

Run Time: 119 min

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Cast

Keanu Reeves...Kai

Hiroyuki Sanada...Ôishi

Kô Shibasaki...Mika

Tadanobu Asano...Lord Kira

Min Tanaka...Lord Asano

Jin Akanishi...Chikara

Masayoshi Haneda...Yasuno

Hiroshi Sogabe...Hazama

Takato Yonemoto...Basho

Hiroshi Yamada...Hara

Shû Nakajima...Horibe

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa...Shogun Tsunayoshi

Rinko Kikuchi...Witch

The tale of the 47 Ronin has been told. Over, over and over again. In book, comic and film form. So why not give us another interpretation of the popular legend. I for one am all for it. The story of the 47 Ronin if done right can be Japan's answer to Zack Snyder's 300. The only thing missing was the right people to come along at the right time to breathe some new life into the legend.

I'm afraid the wait continues.

Plot
A band of samurai set out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun.  

I was on the fence about seeing this film for the simple reason that this version of the story had introduced a supernatural element to it. I still gave it a shot thinking that this could be a welcomed tweak. It was not. Not by a long shot. The biggest reason for the fall of the Ronin is simply the script. It is in a word....messy.

There were several issues with this film during production. Creative differences between the director Rinsch and the studio had bogged down the direction of the narrative. It's clear as day how disconnected the story is from the very beginning. Plot development is scarce at best. Character development is practically non existent. This film played like a collection of scenes cut together in the edit room. It's not uncommon for a film to actually be made in the edit room. That stems from major issues during production. The lack of direction forces the production to literally craft the story in post.

I defy anyone to tell me that 47 Ronin wasn't done this way.

The story or lack there of infects it's lead. Keanu Reeves' character is so out of place here that he can't get out of his own way. It's not his fault. Kai is so underdeveloped that when it comes time to care about his exploits it feels forced and synthetic. Reeves actually does a decent job with what he has to work with which is very very little. It was really frustrating to watch how his story was unfolding or not unfolding. There were so many missed opportunities to really give his character the gravitas that the hero requires. Instead he was tossed some scraps and expected to piece together a compelling protagonist. Tough challenge for the best actors to accomplish.

Impossible for someone of Reeves' limited range.

I don't mean to disrespect Reeves. I'm stating facts about his acting chops and how the lack of depth his character had really hurt him here. This goes double for his fellow Ronin. The leaderless samurai had even less beef behind them. They were as interchangeable as warriors could be. They might as well not have had any names. The script if you can call it that tries to establish some bonds between the Ronin and Kai and with each other. Those moments fall flat and insulted my intelligence as an audience member. I'm watching this movie knowing exactly what they're trying to do and I wasn't buying it for one second.

The only thing that I enjoyed was the performance of Rinko Kikuchi as The Witch. She chewed up the scenery in every moment she was on screen. I couldn't tell if she was just acting that way because she didn't care about the project or she was told to be over the top. Regardless, she was enjoying parading around casting her spells on everyone. It was the only performance that I respected, genuine or not because it fit the jumbled nature of the rest of the film. She also provided some moments that gave the film a taste of some pretty good CGI. Her magic was on full display during the film and it was not bad. The problem is that her character and the SFX that accompanied her are wasted in this film.

I'd talk about the fights but why bother. They like the rest of the movie was a missed opportunity for some spectacular moments. It's a waste of my time and yours.

I'm moving on.

If you're in the mood for a good samurai film. Look no further than Akria Kurosawa. If you must go American then The Last Samurai can fit the bill.

On the 5 star scale. 47 Ronin gets .5 stars with a "Save The Loot!" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"