Oishi is still leading a band of followers against the injustices that lead to the death of Lord Takuminokam Asano and the downfall of his house. Lord Kira, who is responsible for this chain of events, is considered a valuable commodity by the shogun. Samurai have been disbanded across Japan; however, revenge for the
destruction of the Asano house may be a just cause that can unite them. Immanently, Lord Kira may lead to the downfall of a great deal of samurai men. ?You know something about a wooden tub? If the hoop loosens, so does the whole tub. You can?t expect to fill it again.? Kenji Mizoguchi, director of A Chronicle of the May Rain, Under the Crimson Sunset, A Paper Doll's Whisper of Spring, The Mountain Pass of Love and Hate, and The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums, delivers the 47 Ronin parts 1 & 2. The storyline for this film continues to provide excellent depth of the samurai culture and beliefs; however, the story was too methodical (like part 1). ?If you avenge your lord, it will inspire man samurai.? Sukeyemon?s conversation with the lord prior to Kira?s arrival, the attempt to kill ?Kira? on stage, the gold discovery, the samurai troops gathering in the snowy forest, the Ako house being assigned to hara-kiri, the farewell flowers from lady Asano, the Ako house?s final performance, Omino disguised as a samurai servant, the ?his real heart? conversation, and Omino?s hara-kiri were amongst the better portions of the film. ?We can?t blood stain the palace.? The 47 Ronin, part 2 is once again a methodical moving picture that contains intriguing dialogue and absolutely no action. This film is entertaining only due to viewing samurais live out their respectable beliefs to no end. The storyline is interesting, but lacks the action sequences to make it a ?must see? for the samurai genre. The 47 Ronin films mark the worst film(s) I have viewed in this genre. ?We are grateful we are ordered to commit hara-kiri.? Grade: C
February 3, 2007
