47 Ronin

Much in the same vein as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" 2000 and "Hero" '02, we have the lavishly produced "47 Ronin". Like the others, this is a beautifully wrapped good vs evil storyline that with the incredible production values, keeps one riveted to their seat for the 2 hour running time.

After the treacherous and ruthless warlord, Kira (Tadanobu Asano) kills their master, Lord Asano (Min Tanaka) 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 reluctantly seek the help of Kai (Keanu Reeves)--a half-breed they once rejected for being different--as they fight their way across a savage world of mythic beasts, shape-shifting witchcraft, especially one witch (Rinko Kikuchi), and wondrous terrors. As this exiled, enslaved outcast becomes their most deadly weapon, Kai will transform into the hero who inspires this band of outnumbered rebels to seize eternity.

Others to round out the cast are Ko Shibasaki as Mika, daughter of Lord Asano, Masayoshi Haneda as Yasuno, Takato Yonemoto as Basho, Hiroshi Sogabe as Hazama, Jin Akanishi as Chikara, Hiroshi Yamada as Hara, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Shogun Tsunayoshi, and Shu Nakajima as Horibe.

 Given the quality of this, it's difficult to comprehend that this is director Carl Rinsch's first feature film in the director's chair. Some of the scenes were a bit stagy, but like I said, considering, the pacing, the continuity was amazing. It was written by Chris Morgan and Hossein Amini based on a screen story by Morgan and Walter Hamada. Again, as aforementioned, the storyline is your basic good vs evil with amazing visuals, costumes and photography. Speaking of photography, one of the stars here is certainly John Mathieson, bsc ("Bye-Bye" '95, "Twin Town" '97, "Gladiator" 2000, "Hannibal" '01, "K-PAX" '01, "Matchstick Men" '03, "Trauma" '04, "The Phantom of the Opera" '04, "August Rush" '07, "Cracks" '09, "Robin Hood" '10, "X-Men: First Class" '11, "Great Expectations" '12). His sweeping photography is rich with color and just the right application of lights and darks which adds hugely to the feel of this film.

Even though the writing isn't as crisp and cohesive as it could have been, this production turns out to one of the best forms of pure escapism which is much needed in this world today.

Out of 4 Stars: 3                         Rated: PG-13                         119mins.