47 Ronin (3D)
Cert: 12A / 119 mins / Dir. Carl Rinsch
Director Carl Rinsch brings us a festive offering of feudal folklore, managing (just about) to explain the presence of Keanu Reeves in an otherwise Japanese cast. As with Crouching Tiger, you'll get the most enjoyment out of the telling of the story, rather than the details themselves. That's not to say that the tale trips itself up at all, but remember that this incarnation of the tale is Chushingura (read: fictionalised/embellished) and the nature of the fable almost seems at odds with 3D cinema in 2013 (despite needing that same technology to bring it to life). At times Lord of the Rings and at times Pirates of the Caribbean, the film is at its best when it shows the magical powers of a few of the characters, being largely accepted by everyone else. It's important to remember that within the context of the story, witchcraft is a thing; it can't be used by everybody, and it's not all-powerful, it just is*1. All in all, I found 47 Ronin highly entertaining as a self-contained vehicle for a story I wasn't previously familiar with.
As much as I like Keanu*2, I can't help but feel that 47 Ronin would have a bit more 'heft'*3 if someone else had been cast in the role of Kai. While he's central to the story (particularly the more fantastical elements of the myth), it's Ôishi (Hiroyuki Sanada) who drives the plot forward. That said, Kai's stoicism and downtrodden demeanour are perfect for Reeves, and he plays the role well; I'm just aware that his very presence is a bugbear for many critics. But whatever, Reeves doesn't showboat in the way that Cruise or Jackman would. #miaow
On a personal note, I found it quite satisfying to see the Samurai become the Ronin, then become the Ninja to return to being Samurai. It pushed my buttons, anyway…
While it's true that 47 Ronin won't be for everyone, how many movies are? For a deftly assembled tale of honour, humility, sacrifice and badass witchery, you won't go too far wrong here. Even the 3D is reasonably rendered, which for live-action is a plus.
The film's a little more leisurely than that trailer, but it's no bad thing..
I did.
For me, yes.
It's meant to be watched big, so cinema for best results.
probably not.
I will.
I think I heard one buried in there, but I'll err on the side of no.
Spoilers - Highlight to read: How many films can you think of (particularly ones released at Christmas) where a mass suicide is the happy ending?
*1 In other words, no, they can't just jump on to the eagles and drop the ring straight into the volcano.
*2 Well, I don't mind him. He's good in the right roles, I suppose. This is one of those. IMHO.
*3 By which I mean the panning that the film's currently receiving from the critics (unfairly, in my opinion). Had the film been made with another actor, or featured Japanese dialogue with subtitles, I think we'd be looking at a different aggregated score.
DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.
• Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.
• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.
…is to make sure you never watch this scene the same way again.
Happy Christmas, you lovely lot!
Yen,
Blackout Towers,
December 2013.
DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.
• Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.
• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.
No-one can accurately predict which movies will become breakout hits. On the surface, there's not a lot to differentiate 2004's Anchorman from its classmates; just the right cast, the right script*1 and the right time. The film's success promoted Will Ferrell and Steve Carell to the A-List, and provided a plethora of quotable lines for the office, the pub, and the marketing department for Anchorman 2*2. But how could Dreamworks capitalise on this success? Well, in lieu of a sequel, re-issues of the Anchorman DVD featured a 'bonus movie', Wake Up, Ron Burgundy, created from unused subplots and alternate takes from the film. And that's sort of what Anchorman 2 feels like; a collection of disparate sketches and threads, with the cracks papered over by getting Will Ferrell to ad-lib exclamations (of the 'by Odin's beard!' variety).
Now don't let that dour, judgemental opening fool you: I liked Anchorman 2. There are sketches which work really well (the cruise-control camper van), skteches which fall a little flat (most of the scenes with James Marsden), ones which are excruciating for the right and the wrong reasons (the family dinner*3), and some which just retread past glories (jazz-flute and the battle finale). The problem (for me) is that most of these threads just don't connect with each other; and considering that the film's about a news team and many of Anchorman's finest moments were the on-air antics of that collective, we spend precious little time in the studio with the guys in the sequel (even though the film is centered around them moving to a new station). It may have been written by only two people (Ferrell and director, McKay), but it feels like it's been edited by someone who's never met either of them. Or read the script. That said, even I was impressed by the roll-call of celebrity cameos for the showdown in the park; not impressed that the film could get the names, more that they were all clearly so keen to have it on their CV's (Ford was a pleasant surprise and Cohen and Neeson I'd expect, but not Cotillard).
Apart from that, Anchorman 2 is what you'd imagine, really. Perhaps a little too much. If you're in the market for undemanding laughs then Adam McKay's got something he'd like to sell you, but don't expect to fall in love with Ron Burgundy all over again.
Maybe I'm just expecting too much? Or maybe when the producers of a film wait eight years to make a largely unnecessary follow-up, then there's an expectation that it'll be (at least) the equal of its predecessor? Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is frequently very funny, but occasionally lazy and feels sloppily assembled. And with the pedigree behind it, you know it's capable of better.
I enjoyed it, and I think most audiences will, too. I, er... just can't think of many good things to say about it…
Well, the trailer is what the film wants to be. You'll understand if you've seen both.
More than half of the time, but less than all.
Making you laugh? Yeah. Continuing the legend of Ron Burgundy? Not really.
You won't lose anything by watching it on DVD.
No.
I will, but not right away.
There isn't, and I genuinely thought we were going to get one in the park-showdown.
…am I asking too much of an Apatow-stable comedy?
*1 Or more accurately, performances, as many of the best lines were ad-libbed. As in actually ad-libbed. Not just having Melissa McCarthy pulling faces and shouting 'fuck' at someone not speaking in the scene. #miaow
*2 Because seriously, some of the tie-in crossover promotions leading up to this film have been just embarrassing. Like they've been written by someone who's watched Anchorman every day for the last eight years and thinks that scripting out previously-used ad-libs isn't going to completely destroy not only the timing, but also the dignity of Ferrell, repeating his 'famous' material like some sort of moustachioed Peter Kay. And yes, I realise I'm being a purist over a Will Ferrell movie.
*3 I also wasn't too keen on how crassly the whole 'Ron's blind' segment was handled either, given that there was no real reason for it being there. Then again, I'm a wooly-liberal at heart, so what do you expect.
DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.
• Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.
• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.
And so, after a mere 21 years, I finally get to see One Of The Greatest Films Of All Time in a cinema! GET IN! So yeah, I was already pre-decided on this one (as well as already having two versions of it in the house), but it wasn't going to stop me braving the elements on a Sunday morn to watch it on the big screen.
Every single frame of The Muppet Christmas Carol is an absolute joy to watch, and it's great to see an audience full of youngsters and their parents totally rapt for the entire duration of the film (it was also good to see the young boy in the row in front having a good bawl into his mum at the end, while his younger sister didn't seem that bothered by the emotional impact of the film. It reminds me of the time my sister and I went to see E.T.*1)
A lot of people have an 'it's not Christmas until I've seen…' movie and this is mine. As a rule, I enjoy most retellings of the story, but Henson's is the one which has me misty-eyed every time. Every. Time. It's also worth pointing out that for all the fun it has, the film is never disrespectful to the narrative or the ideals of the Dickens story, and is closer to the source text than many before or since. If you haven't seen The Muppets version yet (perhaps because it hasn't crossed your radar, perhaps because you think it'd be too dumbed-down), I can give it no higher recommendation. If you have seen it and you didn't like it; I'm afraid we can't be friends any more. My butler will show you out, good day.
Now, the only minor grumble I have about the film is still-missing number "When Love Is Gone", originally sang by Ebeneezer's fiancée, Belle, in the scene by the lake when she ends their relationship. It never made it to a theatrical version of the film, but was included in the original VHS release (read: my introduction to the film, in an age before DVD). It was removed because the studio didn't think the little ones would dig it. And to be fair, it does drop the film down a gear, particularly when you bear in mind that "Bless Us All" follows in a similar vein not too long afterwards. But not only does Belle's song add some much needed weight to the scene and to the Christmas Past segment of the film, it also sets up the music and lyrics of "When Love Is Found" in the finale. It seems crazy that such a powerful scene hasn't been reintroduced to the film yet, but hey.
As timeless as the story it's based on, The Muppet Christmas Carol should be on every festive watch-list. It's also quite possibly Michael Caine's greatest cinematic performance, but that's a ramble for the next time I see this in a cinema…
Yes.
Every time.
Every time.
As much as I loved seeing it at the cinema, it is a DVD with a cheeky sherry or two….
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
There isn't.
1. In the finale, when Scrooge barges into Fred and Clara's house with presents, does anyone else look at Steven Mackintosh's face and think "Charles, why have we got that cage!?"
2. Does anyone know the catalogue-number of the full-screen DVD version (which has "The Love Is Gone", as per the VHS edit)?
Thanks in advance.
*123 years old, I was! Eh? Is this thing on? No, you shut up.
DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.
• Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.
• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.
