47 Ronin is a mess. It's a movie based on a traditional Japanese tale of loyalty and revenge plus magic, dragons, and Keanu.
The Japanese tale was about samurai whose lord had to kill himself for disparaging another. His samurai, now leaderless ronin, vowed revenge because they thought that the offense was not severe. The 47 ronin of the title plotted for years eventually exacting revenge on their target. The Emperor liked the way the ronin conducted themselves and allowed the ronin to have an honorable ending. They all died in the end.
This version adds in Keanu as a mystically half-breed. Yeah, it makes no difference, but they needed him so that they can add the magic, the dragons, and the vile witch.
Everything has to be epic in Hollywood. That's why there was the magic, the dragons, and the vile witch. Hollywood must make everything ginormous. Unfortunately, not everything needs the ginormity. The original 47 ronin story has all you need. It's withstood years and years of telling in Japan. It may withstand the magic, the dragons, and the vile witch, but it isn't that good of tale with it.
3 of 5 stars.
The Japanese tale was about samurai whose lord had to kill himself for disparaging another. His samurai, now leaderless ronin, vowed revenge because they thought that the offense was not severe. The 47 ronin of the title plotted for years eventually exacting revenge on their target. The Emperor liked the way the ronin conducted themselves and allowed the ronin to have an honorable ending. They all died in the end.
This version adds in Keanu as a mystically half-breed. Yeah, it makes no difference, but they needed him so that they can add the magic, the dragons, and the vile witch.
Everything has to be epic in Hollywood. That's why there was the magic, the dragons, and the vile witch. Hollywood must make everything ginormous. Unfortunately, not everything needs the ginormity. The original 47 ronin story has all you need. It's withstood years and years of telling in Japan. It may withstand the magic, the dragons, and the vile witch, but it isn't that good of tale with it.
3 of 5 stars.
It was actually like watching two stories going on - the Ronins and Kai's story. I fault movie producers for that. They don't give American audiences credit for being able to digest foreign concepts. But good for Keanu for pushing to bring this story to more people. He seems to be on a journey right now with his storytelling. I wouldn't put him in this remake in the category of epic failures like Spike Lee's Old Boy or Franco's As I Lay Dying.
Definitely didn't do 3D cuz I don't go for gimmicks. Watched the original Parts 1 & 2 afterwards. It was good movie night.
I mean 47 Ronin is an epic tale of honor. It's not a sword swinging martial arts movie and they tried to sell it like that.
I thought the character of Kai could have worked but in a different way. Keanu's the dude. I think they should have gone deeper in his relationship with Sanada's character and in his recognition by the other ronin as a Samurai.
Probably needed a stronger Director to stand up to the movie execs. And a smaller budget.