You know, sometimes, I really hate Hollywood...

[MrScorpio]

They had a chance to portray a classic Japanese legend, The 47 Ronin and really do right by it… Instead, they turned it into a flashily depicted standard Hollywood blockbuster that has very little to do with the original story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forty-seven_Ronin

I remember the warnings that were voiced when it was announced that Keanu Reeves was picked to star in this movie.

Those warnings were understatements, it seems…

This flick is atrocious.

[nomorenomore08]

1. And is every plot point loudly and repeatedly explained by one character or another?

God I hate that...

[IrishAyes]

2. Sorry to hear that; not surprised.

Almost always the book outshines the movie. I couldn't even stand to watch Beowulf, based on one of my favorite poems, because I couldn't stand the lead actor and I knew they'd ruin the story.

[Locut0s]

3. Just learn to expect less than nothing from Hollywoord...

That way you are less often let down.

I've long since stopped believing that they can ever properly handle any classic of this type

[MrScorpio]

4. You know what's funny?

There was another Hollywood movie, one of my faves by the way, that told a much more accurate depiction of the 47 Ronin legend…

RONIN, with Robert DeNiro, all put together very nicely in a single scene:

So, it's not like these people can't do what's right… They chose to do these things poorly.

[Locut0s]

5. I figure the discussion in the board room goes something like this...

John: "Hay guys I know this up and coming director who would be perfect for this. He's been a big name in the art scene of late and has some amazing talent. He's been looking for just such an opportunity to make it big. You should see some of what he does, the guy is amazing!"

Silence in the board room... Followed buy rounds of hearty bellylaughter..

"Hahahahha, oh Johny you always crack me up. So guys Keanu it is right guys?"

"Oh and let's see if we can get Michael Bay's cinemetogapher and FX guy on board!"

...

"Sweeeeeettttt 10th Lamborghini here we come Babay!"

[Paladin]

9. The DeNiro "Ronin" is a first-rate flick. Very well done. (nt)

[sakabatou]

6. And here I'm hoping they do Godzilla right

[MrScorpio]

7. Don't hold your breath...

They'll screw it up again, like they did the last time.

[sakabatou]

8. Well it's not out yet, so, I'll still get a ticket (or not, pending reviews)

[yuiyoshida]

10. The magnificent seven was losely based on

the seven samurai.


Having seen both, I prefer the original. Toshirô Mifune is brilliant and so was director Akira Kurosawa. Its still around in its original black and white and worth watching with Subs. I don't think they have dubbed that as yet. (I hate dubs don't you? The mouths are always out of sync.)

[sharp_stick]

12. 7 Samurai is available for free on HULU

in the US. I love Kurosawa, I've seen everything he's directed and watch quite a few them several times..

[yuiyoshida]

14. yes, me also...

love his films. But.. its funny, he never got along with my favorite actor, Shintaro Katsu. Katsu appeared in one film, I think and that was the last of it. But than, Katsu went on to make ZATOICHI... AND history was made!!!


Yes, that is Shinataro Katsu with Toshirô Mifune in a Zatoichi movie.

[kentauros]

11. Watch Altman's "The Player" again,

just to remind you to ignore the crap, even when it's made from a good original story

[Aristus]

13. Yeah, I was disappointed by the trailer, too.

I was expecting a good Kurosawa-style film that would do justice to the legend; a story I think American audiences would like just fine if told faithfully to the source material.

But, as usual, someone decided to insult the story-telling sensibilities of Americans by crapping up what should have been a rattlingly-good time at the movies...