CGI Does Not Live Up to the 47 Ronin's (Moral) Standard

Just a few words about 47 Ronin, which came out in 2013 and was directed by Carl Rinsch. I saw it on television almost five years later. The movie, a mix between fantasy movies like the obligate Lord of the Rings productions and samurai action movies, undoubtedly aimed at a large public. There's some computer graphics in it which make it more sensational or obviously more fantastic. Not that it's overloaded with cgi but a good movie can do without. This is proven by the last scene, a collective ritual, which is very powerful.

     Hiroyuki Sanada as Ōishi Yoshio, leader of the forty-seven rōnin © Universal Pictures

Besides there's plenty enough action, drama and samurai philosophy in this story to not warrant these artificial film techniques. I prefer movies where the viewer can use his or her own imagination to fill the gap that is now taken by the graphics. At some point it is a bonus like in the Tengu forest when there's a depiction of a psychological test or battle. The shapeshifting witch can do some handy tricks too without not looking grotesque but that's over when becoming a monster. Monsters in this film or even the Tengu priest are a bit too far away from reality and perhaps even from imagination.

Never beyond stereotypes

All in all I didn't mind watching 47 Ronin but it never gets beyond the stereotypical movie be it fantasy, action or both. Hiroyuki Sanada, as the leader of the masterless rōnin, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as the shogun are good casts but in general acting and action scenes are not above average. Neither are the turns nor the plot. Of course this is not abnormal as this is a well known historical story. But the film does not add anything to it and so isn't Keanu Reeves. 

"Keanu is primarily a 'name' on the poster for the public to go and watch this motion picture"

That I almost forgot him says enough I guess: he's primarily a 'name' on the poster and credits for the public to go and watch this motion picture. In the end the high code of honour of these Japanese gentleman-fighters is the most you will remember from this scenographic work. And if you like Japanese culture and fantastic movies there's a reason to watch. But nothing more than that.

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       • 47 Ronin (2013, Universal Pictures, United States) 

☆ Directed by Carl Rinsch. Starring Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi and Ko Shibasaki

☆ The movie is based on Chūshingura, Japanese fictionalized stories involving the forty-seven rōnin and their historic mission to avenge the death of their master

☆ Blade of the 47 Ronin, its sequel, was released on Netflix at the end of october 2022

10.01.2018