Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Gorgeously shot, vividly imagined, heavy and heartfelt - this movie should not be skipped by true fantasy-adventure fans. I can see why mainstream America and the media misunderstood it - Asian protagonists, brooding tone, tragic romance, a plot driven by foreign ideals like "honor" and "shame." People with no exposure to a traditional Japanese world might scratch their head at the notion of seppuku, or leaving your wife to avenge lost honor, but if you are worldly enough to embrace different cultures and values, you will be rewarded by this richly imagined film. Thematically, this movie is smart. First, the film is refreshingly devoid of any irony or post-modern humor that can weaken the modern blockbuster, which always seems to try to be all things to all people. So while the plot may be simple, it is still told in surprising ways. One can never entirely predict the next thing to happen throughout the movie, another novel way the movie is better than expected. And the execution of this revenge yarn is layered with heavier topics like class, morality, equality and freedom. One of the two main protagonists is a low-class "half-breed" (actually half-demon) while the rest are pure Japanese. This intriguing character faithfully serves his masters while tolerating their cruelty, finally proving by the end to be transcendentally superior to all of their humiliation and ignominy. With a movie about slavery likely to take home Best Picture for 2013, it's a shame that this particular genre film is so easily dismissed by critics although it also delves into the difficult subject with an insightful and intelligent perspective. But again, the average member of the audience is probably a little taken aback by their hero grovelling for mercy to a holy emperor, when the typical American badass hero would simply shoot first. The film is also a triumph on the technical end. If the wild monsters, ghosts, demons and witches don't appeal to you visually - all rendered in sleek new ways heretofore unseen in an American film - then perhaps the lush backgrounds and intricate costumes will entertain you in even the slowest scenes. Score, cinematography, editing, sound, acting - the movie is exquisitely made and best enjoyed on the biggest screen. So despite being oddly pro-suicide, the movie is simply astounding. It is a genuine cinematic masterpiece, especially for its unique historical Japanese backdrop. To the right pallet, there are few movies better at what they do than this.