47 Ronin

47 Ronin

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 12/27/13

Reviewed 1/4/14 at Grand Haven 9 in Grand Haven, Michigan

with Gary

1 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Well you see how Gary and I felt about 47 Ronin. It's not that it was so awful, although quality was poor, but it was like watching a TV movie instead of a big budget Hollywood epic. Keanu Reeves as the star was about the same caliber as Stallone or Schwarzenegger, acting wise. It was such a stretch for Keanu playing the half Japanese rogue leading a band of Samurai. That being said, Gary did like it a little more than me and we didn't think it was bad enough to walk out on.

Kai (Reeves) has been an outcast since he was born. He was abandoned in a forest and raised by some mystical demon beings. They apparently were good in warrior training, but not much else. Somewhere along the way as a child he is rescued by Lord Asano (Min Tanaka), a powerful feudal leader in Japan. Because of Kai's roots laying him as an outcast, he is scorned and mistreated by those around him, especially the Samurai who never accept him in spite of his talents. Lord Asano and his daughter Mika (Ko Shibaski) are the only ones who show him kindness. Kai and Mika secretly grow a deep affection for each other but Kai never acts on it as he knows his "place" in society. A disruption in the way of life transpires when Lord Asano is easily overthrown and betrayed by a visiting adversary Lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano). There is no resistance or anybody defending themselves to explain the circumstances. The powerful ruling Shogun allows Mika's father Asano to kill himself instead of execution, which occurs in front of all. Tough crowd. The Shogun then commands all of the now deceased Lord Asano's men to never engage in revenge against Kira. Their fate is either imprisonment or banished from their homeland. There is a case now for killing everyone that is left on the other side, instead of letting them live. But alas...no story then. Jumping ahead, Kai and his former exiled Samurai foes are reunited after a year of hell. The newly formed band must make haste because Mika, now that her year of mourning for her father is ending, is about to be forced to marry Lord Kira, the man behind the betrayal.

The group of 47 warriors are the namesake 47 Ronin because Ronin is the name of ousted Samuari. There are a few adventures and stumbling blocks along the way but they eventually make their way to their former homeland for the forbidden vengeance against Lord Kira and his regime. Mika does not end up in a forced marriage, but a little twist in the "true" story lends for some excitement. While this movie is not going to have a broad appeal, I suggest waiting to see it at home. It's worthy enough for that. It is also redeeming that this film is based on the legend of the 47 Ronin dating back to the early 18th century and according to the credits the story is still honored today in Japan.

QUIET Rating system: 1 1/2 Js

Quality: j

Understood story:  Jj

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  Jj