By: John Meneghetti
This movie will get a lot of heat and make a lot of people upset because they may deem it as disrespectful to the true story that serves as the basis for this latest adaptation, but be that as it may, though they may be right and I don’t blame them for being upset, I for one do not hold that against 47 RONIN because this latest adaptation did exactly what it set out to do, and that is a fantastical, visual, stylized take. Taking a familiar story and combining it with sorcery and fantasy elements. If you want something that’s more faithful to the historical account, I’m sure any of the previous adaptations including the 1941 film could serve you best. Keanu Reeves’ 47 RONIN for all intents and purposes is entertaining.
Keanu Reeves makes an explosive return to action-adventure in 47 Ronin. After a treacherous warlord kills their master and banishes their kind, 47 leaderless samurai vow to seek vengeance and restore honor to their people. Driven from their homes and dispersed across the land, this band of Ronin must seek the help of Kai (Reeves)—a half-breed they once rejected—as they fight their way across a savage world of mythic beasts, shape-shifting witchcraft and wondrous terrors.
As this exiled, enslaved outcast becomes their most deadly weapon, he will transform into the hero who inspires this band of outnumbered rebels to seize eternity.
It’s a risky gamble by Universal Studios to entrust such big scale project to the inexperienced director Carl Rinsch but what he excels on is visual, as displayed by his popular short films, and that is 47 RONIN’s strength.
Having Keanu Reeves be the lead star, having him be part of the 47 masterless Samurai bent on revenge, is probably the only thing that still doesn’t sit right with me. They’re trying to get away with murder by calling him half-breed. But I supposed they need a big name to sell the movie and they need a half-breed plot to give us that old fashioned romeo and juliet forbidden love story and how prejudice eventually turns into teamwork, it’s an old formula and that’s what they’re going for here with 47 RONIN.
But a part of me still can’t fully 100% agree to have Reeves take center stage instead of Oishi who should’ve be the lead character.
The costumes and hairstyles are another thing that bugs me a bit. I don’t see why they chose not to have the Samurai have that famous half-shaved bald head look. I think there are aspects about the Japanese culture and history that they could’ve at least incorporated and they wouldn’t have hurt the production’s agenda to make this whole thing fantastical.
The movie’s biggest crime is that the characters lack depth.
But again, the scenery, the imagery, the visual are spectacular in 47 RONIN. The action sequences are quite elaborate. Oscar nominee Rinko Kikuchi is ridiculously sexy as the vixen/witch.
Will all those cinematic visuals distract us from the spirit of the true story itself which is about Samurai code of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice? That’s up to the eye of the beholder, but it’s quite obvious what that this movie planned to accomplish and which audience it caters to; 47 RONIN is for the easily amused and from time to time, we can use such entertainment.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION – 3D BLU-RAY™:
Street Date: April 1, 2014
Copyright: 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Numbers: 61131766 (U.S), 61131767 (CDN)
Running Time: 1 Hour 59 Minutes
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, and thematic elements
Technical Info: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital2, DTS Digital Surround 5.1 (Spanish, French)
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French
TECHNICAL INFORMATION – BLU-RAY™:
Street Date: April 1, 2014
Copyright: 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Numbers: 61130457 (U.S), 61131189 (CDN)
Running Time: 1 Hour 59 Minutes
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, and thematic elements
Technical Info: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital2, DTS Digital Surround 5.1 (Spanish, French)
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French
TECHNICAL INFORMATION – DVD:
Street Date: April 1, 2014
Copyright: 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Numbers: 61119170 (U.S), 61131190 (CDN)
Running Time: 1 Hour 59 Minutes
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, and thematic elements
Technical Info: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital2, DTS Digital Surround 5.1 (Spanish, French)
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French
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