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Onmyoji (Special Edition) Actors: Mansai Nomura, Hideaki Ito, Hiroyuki Sanada Director: Yojiro Takita Number of Items: 1 Format: Color, Widescreen, Dolby Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Running Time: 176 minutes Studio: Geneon Entertainment Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2003-08-12 Buy from Amazon |
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From Amazon.com A mystical tale set in Japan's Heian era (794-1185 A.D.), when demons and sorcery lent intrigue to the business of ruling the kingdom, Onmyoji was Japan's box office king in 2001. The emperor Mikado and his infant son are the targets of evil spells, and someone amidst the Onmyoji, the longtime supernatural guardians of the kingdom, is suspected of betrayal. A bumbling and somewhat cowardly court official named Minamoto no Hiromaki recruits the famed Japanese folk hero SeiMei, an easygoing yin-yang sorcery master, to help solve the mystery. The two develop a Holmes and Watson relationship while trying to thwart the conspirators. The movie fails to achieve much dramatic tension over a long two hours. With the exception of Mansai Nomura as SeiMei, the acting is exaggerated, as in bad theater. Some shoddy scene and sound editing leads to some clumsy transitions, and the special effects and fight scenes are of the made-for-TV quality. Still, with a lineup that includes Japanese pop idols Kyoko Koizumi and Eriko Imai and villains that cackle with such enthusiasm, Onmyoji nearly qualifies as a campy guilty pleasure. --Eugene Wei |
 "A Japanese legendary tale"Abe no Seimei is a legendary figure from Japanese history, a sort of Merlin figure with an authentic historical basis. A master of the art of Onmyo-do, a Yin-Yang sorcery based on prevailing scientific theory and Chinese mysticism, Abe no Seimei was a hero of stories factual and fanciful. Reputed to be the son of a Fox spirit, he worked as an Onmyoji to the Emperor, casting spells and advising on the spiritually correct way to handle affairs. His arch-enemy, the Onmyoji Ashiya Doman, is a jealous figure who seeks to embarrass and undermine the popular Seimei. This latest interpretation of his story, "Onmyoji," sees Abe no Seimei as an attractive, almost rock-star type of figure. In a world of mysterious spirits and invading demons, he is the unrivaled master of magic. Ever at his shadow is the scheming Douson (instead of Doman, for some reason). In this movie, Douson arranges the stealing of a sacred sword, placed in trust of a mis-used spirit a century ago, in order to pacify his anger and make him a guardian of the capitol city, in keeping with Shinto beliefs. The theiving of the sword creates an angry army of the dead, and only Abe no Seimei and his stalwart companion Minamoto no Hiromaki to defend. "Onmyoji" is a showcase for actor Mansai Nomura, who is often miscredited as a Noh performer but is actually an actor of Kyogen, a traditional expressive form of Japanese comedic theater. Nomura has one previous film credit, in Kurosawa's "Ran," but "Onmyoji" is a much greater platform for his Kyogen-honed skills, including the various foxy glances and smiles that exude the supernatural parentage of Abe no Seimei. Not a great film, "Onmyoji" seems unsure of itself as either a theatrical film of a television series. The major action is segmented into 30 minute episodes, so it could easily be broadcast as a TV miniseries. The special effects on on par with an average Japanese supernatural TV series, so it leads me to believe that a theatrical release was not the original intention. Previous incarnations of Abe no Seimei have been TV programs, so it isn't unlikely. On the plus side, Nomura's acting is enough to carry the show, although the over-the-top style of Kyogen might be off-putting to some American viewers. The story is Grand Opera, end of the world type of stuff, with plenty of room for personal sacrifice and pathos and all the other goodies that one expects from this type of flick. A perfectly entertaining film, although there is certainly room for improvement. However, as time has shown, this will not be the last time that Abe no Seimei makes a screen appearance. His story has lasted for over a thousand years. It will last a bit longer.  "Winsome, Enchanting"Even upon multiple viewings, this movie never fails to delight. Anyone who enjoys Japanese film, especially of an historical, magical bent, cannot help but like these characters---a court magician who feels no need to compete and is almost cranky when enjoined to take a stand against a fellow omiyogi who is power-hungry and villianous to boot. The enjoiner is a rather minor court noble, who is pure of heart, yet not particularly brave until he is called upon to be a guardian of the city. Add to this various court ladies who are either magical, cursed, or immortal (and even a pair of doomed, star-crossed lovers) and we have quite a pleasing mixture. It is beautifully photographed, scored (especially the flute and celestial music), and costumed; therefore, taking all of the above into account, I was forgiving of some less than spectacular special effects. I particularly like the dance sequence which brings one character to life, at the willing sacrifice of another. Since the dancer, Seimei is a renowned Noh dancer---no wonder he was so impressive. I look forward to the lift in spirits that this movie has always given me and I will watch it often. "well that was certainly interesting"Onmmyoji is a terrific little Japanse film. First, if you don't like Japanese fantasy then you won't enjoy it but if you're willing to just relax and go with it, the movie is a lot of fun. You have a court appointed wizard who'se job is to protect the emperor and his family. Where did he come from and how old is he really are not known. You have a good hearted but bumbling Watson like buddy and you have a the wizard's assistant who is not human and functions as a witches cat or a living magic wand. Oh and you have a villain who has a huge beef, destroys property and kills a lot of hapless extras and a of course you have a bounty of lovely ladies. By the end of the movie I learned that if you are brave but stupid it's really good to have a wizard for a best friend becuase he's there to repeatedly save you and attempt to educate you. Villains take a good ten minutes to laugh about their evil plans so you should take your shot while they're occupied. Wizards never answer direct questions so don't even try asking. If you're going to fall in love find a woman who has nothing to do with the emperor and move fast becuase she might be dead before the final reel. Onmyoji is a popcorn and beer movie. It's highly amusing without scads of graphic violence, sex or hidden agendas. Give it a look see. "Too Camp or Not too Camp"Onmyoji is notable both a period piece and an example of the Japanese taste in tales of the magical and monstrous. A jealous woman and a greedy counselor seek to end the power of another courtesan and take the life of the newborn prince. They enlist Doson, one of the Onmyoji - scholar mages whose duty is supposedly to protect the Mikado. Doson has another agenda - he is determined to bring the Mikado down, but his spells are repeatedly brought to nothing by the actions of Minamoto no Hiromaki and the brilliant sage Seimei. Confrontations continue to escalate until all of Heiyan Kyo (which will become Kyoto in another life) is at the brink of becoming a demon kingdom. While it is easy to summarize the film in a paragraph, what stands out is Director Yojiro Takita's ability to take this story out of the monster movie genre and give it the trapping and movements of traditional Japanese theater. The film's settings are remarkable, as are the costumes and makeup. It's a bit like looking at an old story scroll. Japanese magic depends on chant, gesture, and dance as well as spells written on paper. Is it all authentic? I don't know, but it is easy to imagine that it is so. And on the screen, all the ritual takes on a life of its own. I think at least some of the perception of campiness that viewers feel is due to the high fantasy approach that Yojiro Takita has adopted. Characters develop very little outside of the friendship of Hiromaki and Seimei. These are characters in masks, following a set of carefully circumscribed actions, much as if Noh drama had been translated into this century. I found it very enjoyable, but not particularly deep. There is enough though so that the film will certainly bear up under rewatching. And anime fans will see parallels all over the place. Think of it as a confection to set before the Mikado. "ONMYOJI"This film is for those who love beauty. Although there are some disgusting scenes with a child, that I wished they were differently shot. Ugly and disgusting, but, anyway they portray the power of evil spells and intentions manifested themselves in matter and flesh. The myth and inner truths that the film reflect are pristine. Worth seeing. It is not a film for everybody, therefore try to rent it first. I did buy it and I love it, but some of friends hate it. |
