This was a fun but forgettable big budget movie with some good stuff going for it but ultimately is bogged down by taking itself way too seriously.
The whole concept of honor that this movie revolves around is so outmoded and divorced from the real world and even history that it can be a little cringe inducing to watch. The choices these people make come across as ultimately stupid, not honorable. For a movie that is supposed to portray a culture with a very long view of things this is even more jarring.
However, the main lead (not Keanu) is a fantastic actor and Reeves does a good job as the second lead but what brings the movie down is how serious they are. This is a mythical exaggerated tale very loosely based on a real story and they tried to play it real but with supernatural monsters and magic. Not a good contrast.
The cinematography is hit or miss, the pacing is not bad, there are some excellent action set pieces and the monsters are awesome designs straight out of anime.
Ultimately though, this movie though fun and worth seeing, will not go down as a very memorable achievement for anyone involved.
The whole concept of honor that this movie revolves around is so outmoded and divorced from the real world and even history that it can be a little cringe inducing to watch. The choices these people make come across as ultimately stupid, not honorable. For a movie that is supposed to portray a culture with a very long view of things this is even more jarring.
However, the main lead (not Keanu) is a fantastic actor and Reeves does a good job as the second lead but what brings the movie down is how serious they are. This is a mythical exaggerated tale very loosely based on a real story and they tried to play it real but with supernatural monsters and magic. Not a good contrast.
The cinematography is hit or miss, the pacing is not bad, there are some excellent action set pieces and the monsters are awesome designs straight out of anime.
Ultimately though, this movie though fun and worth seeing, will not go down as a very memorable achievement for anyone involved.
