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BRUTAL REALITY

Nothing romantic about today's film, a NYTimes Critics' Pick

Jûsan-nin no shikaku / 13 Assassins (2011)

A samara movie. Even a remake. But none of the usual spin.

They talk about honor and all but, as one of the 13 says early on, in battle, the Samurai can use anything. Rocks, fists, fire, and evil tricks. There are plenty of that here.

After the setup that shows us the villain to be a really bad bastard the rest is a chase and a battle plan to meet up with the dickhead and finish him off.

The problem is that there are only 13 of us and a few hundred around him.

At the end of the chase, there is a battle.

And that is all there is to the movie.

The battle scene lasts for a long time and it is worth every edge of the seat minute. Intense.

I have seen a lot of the genré and I enjoy them but this is the first that didn't seem like a transmitted western. It has its own theme and variations and uses the time very well.

The pageantry here, such as it is, is breathtaking. Costumes and maneuvers. The fighting is close up and each "assassin" has a story that holds us tightly to the emotional framework of the film.

What is appealing here is that there are two old guys who represent each side and they are also old hands at this kind of film. Great personal power.

Japan is a beautiful country and we see a lot of it.

I do not want to see it again but I would be happy to have the opportunity. That makes it a 4 out of Netflix5.

Labels: films