Wow, one of the best remakes I've ever seen. Revamped with a sympathetic new origin story, Mark Hamill's terrific performance, and an evil sense of humor that never steps out of turn, this could also be the best of the franchise altogether!
While I have not seen any of the classic films to make a fair comparison (nor am I super familiar with Takeshi Kitano's work), I can say that he made a fun little flick that has the right balance of poised samurai flair and a cute musical sense of humor to give the film a jolt of energy. Though it's nothing to write home about, you could do far worse to pass the time if all you're looking for is good old fashioned "rule of cool".
Complete, yet surprisingly self-assured, garbage. If you're not turned off by the disgustingly bankrupt premise, you'll definitely wonder how the movie could be so boring despite it. Easily one of the worst movies I've ever seen, and definitely the best way you can kiss your free time good-bye. Heck, I wouldn't have finished it if I didn't have a bro to help!
Though it starts off slow, has a couple of bumps, preachy and Sturges' antics hasn't aged well, the setting plays exceedingly well into a self-critique on the value of entertainment without stretching credulity. Still vibrant and fresh to this day.
