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Samurai Fiction Actors: Morio Kazama, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Tomoyasu Hotei Director: Hiroyuki Nakano Number of Items: 1 Format: Color Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 111 minutes Studio: Media Blasters, Inc Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2003-09-30 Buy from Amazon |
 "Surprisingly Historically Accurate"Wow. That's all I can say when I saw this film. Originally recommended by one of my fellow students at my Iai-jutsu class, I rented this movie, and it instantly became one of my favorites. Unlike many martial arts movies, it avoids taking itself too seriously, therefore avoiding many downfalls that are common with 'americanized' martial arts movies. It is, in fact, what I would classify as a comedy. Nevertheless, it is surprisingly historically accurate, and the martial arts demonstrated are much closer to traditional study than anything I've seen in any other martial arts movie, period. Definitely worth seeing! "Samurai with Style"This DVD was filmed in black and white-the best format for Samurai movies. Not really designed for foriegn audiences, Samurai Fiction was meant to be watched by young Japanese and make them say, "Cool!" But others people who are into Medival Japanese Culture may also get a kick out of it. The basic story is about two great swordsman and their eventual duel( What, did you expect An original story line?). Its not the story that counts in this movie but the modern reselling of the image and fantasy of Bushido to an audience who probably never saw a Kurasawa film. America has cowboys, Europeans have Knights, and the Japanese have Samurai. So, if your into this, I recomend this DVD highly. "..."This is more of a lighthearted tribute to samurai movies of the past (like the Samurai and Zatoichi series, etc...), than a parody. Although some of the humor has a greater effect with some knowledge of cultural and samurai movie stereotypes, I think, in general, it comes off fairly well even without getting references. Some people might be put-off by percieved stylistic excess, but I found it not to be distracting (especially the framing and general quality of the visuals, which were fantastic), and some of it to even have a humorous quality (as with the characters, it intentionally elaborates upon the stylistic quirks found in samurai movies). The story and performances are very warm... I havn't seen many movies where the actors seem to be enjoying making the movie as much as in Samurai Fiction... the story, too, (as cliche-derived as the rest of the movie), radiates the fun warmpth that helps make the movie so enjoyable. Samurai Fiction isn't without its faults, but, being one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen in the last few years, I decided it's worthy of five stars (It's also vastly superior to some movies I have or would have given four stars...). A very recommended purchase, as well... I myself have watched SF three times, with no plans for stopping (it's a great pick-me-up). Also check out the same director's 'Stereo Future' (no region 1 dvd atm), which is about as enjoyable. (ps. Nakano's other feature, AkaKage/Red Shadow is somewhat similar to SamuraiFiction, ninja in lieu of samurai, especially stylistically (though it's a bit more sad), is not such a good movie (maybe 2 or 3 stars) but also worth seeing if you liked the SFs. "most satisfying"I have always been intrigued by the Japanese samurai movie, but rarely satisfied by it. Even "Seven Samurai" I found to be off-putting and at times almost impossible to watch, that screechy ingénue for instance. And, for me, of all the actors in it, only Mifune registered. It was in equal parts a relief and an embarrassment when he showed up on screen Then there was the "47 Ronin" or was it 48 or 49? I'm not sure. That was total and unrelieved excruciation, almost. In that one, it was the ingénue who provided the relief as the grief stricken fiancé of the youngest ronin, determined to prove herself worthier in self sacrifice than all of them. The power of that performance made me sorry that the whole movie hadn't centered around her rather than the dry, dull and boringly self satisfied ronin. When I found the dvd of "Samurai Fiction" at Blockbuster, I was wary. But, always hopeful, I rented it anyway. I watched the trailer first and was appalled. It described the movie as hilariously funny. The footage shown was not particularly hilarious. I steeled myself for another disappointment and clicked on play and found enchantment It is not hilarious, at least not to my western sensibility but it is light and humorous, accessible and at times humanly moving. The action and the swordplay is clean and uncluttered and still exciting. It is a very self aware send up of a genre. But there is nothing smarmy or smirky about it nor is it overly reverential. In fact, it is perfect in tone and in all its performances. It has a certain amount of cleverness going for it, the black and white photography interspersed with flashes of red at intense moments, the musical score which uses rock and roll and even in one funny and sublime moment the music of Steven Foster. But what really sustains it and makes it all work is its warmth and real affection for the characters and the genre. It is a remarkable movie and a remarkable experience. At last, a samurai movie I can really enjoy. |
