SLOW TO THE VERY END

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Modern Samurai flicks tend to go on steroids in the past couple of years, so ”13 assassins” is no exception.

Story is very clearly laid out, with the vicious young shogun terrorizing other samurais and their families, as well as the common folk in its centre. His behavior triggers 13 outcasts and honorable samurais to join their forces together on the road of revenge that will lead to the dead of merciless shogun.

Characters are typical, but only basically detailed, while the overall tempo is really slow. However, every single of the separated events at the end lead to a spectacularly overacted battle in one of the villages between 13 assassins and hundreds of shogun’s personal guards.

”13 assassins” is a pretty much empty slow tempo samurai flick with an spectacular ending.

13 ASSASSINS - 4/10

CLASSIC SAMURAI FLICK

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Samurai movies have a very rigid script. Honor, treason, reconciliation, major showdown at the end.

”The hidden blade” has all that, as well as the traditional Asian overacting. Brutality is also there, but only occasionally used to spice up the slow rhythm of the entire flick.

If you are a fan of samurai culture, this is a movie for you. If not, better to stay away.

THE HIDDEN BLADE - 5/10

QUALITY AND TIMELESNESS

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Japanese legends represent one of the major topics for their cinematography, but with variable success rate.

”Love and honor” is in its core basically an epic folk poem about the young samurai that turns blind after tasting poisonous food for the local shogun. His misfortunes that follow the accident are pretty much typical, including one of the major subjects of the traditional Japanese movie, adultery.

Overall rhythm is slow, but very intense, including the much expected catharsis of our hero that wins the hearts of everyone in the audience with his persistence and reverence. Camera is pretty much consistent, focusing on the wider shots. The end, is as always different from those that people from the West are used to.

”Love and honor” is one of the finest Japanese traditional tales ever to see the big screen and a warm recommendation for every true movie lover.

LOVE AND HONOR - 9/10