Kitano returns with a bit of an unusual film, for him. It might seem like a historical film at first, but it delves deeper and deeper into satire and comedy as we go. Many details are historically accurate, many are very much not, and many more is speculation or outright fiction, but these only serve to drive the point home. One of the peculiar historical inaccuracies is the age of the most famous protagonists, Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu. The latter one are much older than they were in reality, while Nobunaga is younger. This can be explained by the 30 year delay in making the film, and Kitano refusing to recast himself, while the young age of Nobunaga reinforces his brash nature in the film. Many, if not all, famous people of the era are present, including Kiryu, Hattori Hanzo, even Yasuke. Also many famous events (other than the main event, the Honnoji incident) are also recounted in shorter versions than we have seen in previous films dedicated wholly to them, like the battle of Nagashino (Kagemusha) and the siege of Takamatsu (The Floating Castle, which is actually based on a similar siege 8 years later). While remaining quasi accurate to history, Kitano (or rather, Beat) Takeshi takes a satirical edge to these events, most evident in the (I think wholly made up) character of Mosuke. Everyone can be killed at any time in this struggle for power, and no one life means anything. While quite successful in balancing the historical and the humorous, I think it would have been better to skew more toward the humorous side. The costumes and sets are great, as are the cast, with the usual Kitano mainstay actors, plus everyone's favorite Shark Skin Man. Some budget restraints are evident, as we don't see huge battles head on, but rather framed as to only suggest this is part of a big battle. It's still very enjoyable, but not his best.
3 Reviews
Takeshi Kitano back in style
chrislawuk5 June 2024
Great movie about legendary feudal lord. Very much like 13 assassin (2010), and Silence (2016), bringing the samurai movie forward with contemporary film making techniques.
Darkly comic, its all about the heads. I don't provide spoilers, but you'll understand when you watch it.
Barbarically sadistic, the ancient samurai's depicted in this movie, leaves little to the imagination.
Great cast and a fantastic genre entry from the ever versatile director.
Hideyoshi was a real Shogun from the 1500's, I think the most revered and feared. Feel fortunate that I am 1st to review this title.
Hope to see more like it from director.
Darkly comic, its all about the heads. I don't provide spoilers, but you'll understand when you watch it.
Barbarically sadistic, the ancient samurai's depicted in this movie, leaves little to the imagination.
Great cast and a fantastic genre entry from the ever versatile director.
Hideyoshi was a real Shogun from the 1500's, I think the most revered and feared. Feel fortunate that I am 1st to review this title.
Hope to see more like it from director.
Kitano
edwardfuente-7276211 June 2024
The return of Takeshi Kitano on screen should be by now an important cinematic event. Fortunately, it is also an occasion to enjoy the latest work by Japan's most famed contemporary filmmaker. He had only made a period piece previously -that is, the wonderful "Zatoichi"- and never a war movie, hence its special interest.
Kitano's film, which some may compare to Kurosawa's great samurai yarns, reveals in almost every scene the character of his outlook on samurai legends, fraught with violence, treachery and cruelty. Festival of nihilism wherein heroism and loyalty amount to nothing and full of deranged men destroyed by their hollow ambitions. Kitano laughs at the nobility of heroic warriors interpolating lunatic behaviour in key scenes and, in the end, it's all about keeping your head on your shoulders. It is like Shogun, but for adults, of the jaded kind perhaps.
Kitano's film, which some may compare to Kurosawa's great samurai yarns, reveals in almost every scene the character of his outlook on samurai legends, fraught with violence, treachery and cruelty. Festival of nihilism wherein heroism and loyalty amount to nothing and full of deranged men destroyed by their hollow ambitions. Kitano laughs at the nobility of heroic warriors interpolating lunatic behaviour in key scenes and, in the end, it's all about keeping your head on your shoulders. It is like Shogun, but for adults, of the jaded kind perhaps.
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