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List Price: $29.95
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By: Media Blasters - Model: TSDVD-0413
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14
Average rating: 3.5 of 5
An interesting movie, with some caveats 4 out of 5 stars.
25 of 25 people found this review helpful.
This is a beautifully directed movie, by notable director Sogo ISHII. But it is definitely NOT an "action packed epic" as described by Amazon. And the fight scenes are unusually and imaginatively depicted, but they are not "extraordinary" in the usual sense. In short, this is not an action movie nor is it a traditional samurai or martial arts film. It is really a metaphysical fantasy film. "Gojoe" is to samurai films as "Blueberry" is to westerns.
I am annoyed that it is getting poor reviews by people who were expecting some sort of Wu-Tang Baby Cart Master Killer blood and guts actioner. But it's not their fault that this film is incorrectly marketed.
People who will enjoy this movie:
- fans of director Sogo Ishii's slower paced films, e.g. "Angel Dust"
- fans of other foreign cinema especially Japanese cinema, e.g. Rashomon (although I would never claim it is in the same league as such a classic)
- those who like cerebral, beautifully shot films
- people with an interest in Japanese mythology or Shinto, but okay with it addressed on an obviously simplified level
People who are looking for the following should avoid this movie:
- action (though there is some)
- fast pace
- linear story
- everything spelled out and explained
- humor
- romance
The high points of this film include the beautiful imagery, intense slow-burn acting of Daisuke RYU as Benkei, good performances by all the supporting cast, pretty nifty costumes, a really awesome climax.
Oddly enough, I found Tadanobu ASANO, who I usually love, to be only so-so in this film. Maybe it was his bad hair.
The reason I give this film only a 4 is that it really is a bit long. Nonetheless, Media Blasters did do the right thing by including the full international version, instead of the cut version.
The DVD features are great, with both the original Japanese dialogue, nicely done subtitles, an English dub track, and some nice "making of" featurettes.
This is an interesting, unique film but only for the right audience.
Editorial Review:
Starring Tadanobu Asano (Ichi the Killer Zatoichi 2003) and Masatoshi Nagase (Pistol Opera Suicide Club) Members of a warrior clan are being mysteriously beheaded at Gojoe Bridge. A former Buddhist monk and his grave robbing sidekick set out to unmask and destroy the powerful evil forces that lurk at Gojoe. A lavishly produced special effects-filled super-charged samurai fantasy!System Requirements: Running Time 137 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE UPC: 631595041385 Manufacturer No: TSDVD-0413
