47 Ronin 4K 2013 Ultra HD 2160p

The mysterious wanderer, betrayed by all, sold into slavery, chosen by fate to execute revenge, will be one of 47 warriors who defied death. Having come from another world, he will rise against the dark forces in order to protect his forbidden love.

47 Ronin 4K Review
Medieval Japan is famous for its harsh rules. Drugged by witching charms, the prince pounces on his cunning guest and is forced to commit ritual suicide. Having learned about the treachery of the guest, the former samurai, contrary to the instructions of the shogun, are preparing revenge for the deceit and death of their master. 47 ronin who lost their shelter and weapons are going to return the bloody debt to the treacherous traitor - for this they will have to gather all their strength, find weapons that can cope with the offender’s guards, and get into Japan’s most defended castle ...

The name of Karl Rinsch is not very well known to people who are far from the cinema or are superficially interested in the industry. Those who follow not only what has already been done in the film industry, but also what remains to be done, what the movie will be in five, ten, twenty years, Rinsch's debut film has long been expected. Why? Try searching for the Phillips - Gift combination on Youtube or just watch the commercials of Karl Rinsch and you will understand what an original young author was waiting for his chance in the movie. However, after watching the videos presented, you will probably ask yourself: what did such a futuristically oriented, enthusiastic about technology and robots people “forget” in XVIII century Japan? We have no answer ...

Especially for the film, 300 bamboo shoots, each 15 meters high, and meter-long bonsai trees over one hundred years old were brought to the set from London to Italy
Indeed, the project for Rinsh’s debut wasn’t the most obvious one - he would have to shoot some Transformers or the Pacific Frontier, but it so happened that the first Japanese legend about vengeful samurai orphans became his first. This legend is quite famous both in Japan itself and beyond. The ronin avengers committed an act that cast doubt on the decision of the supreme ruler of the country of that time: on the one hand, the ronin disobeyed his order, which directly prohibited revenge, on the other, they committed vengeance, which was an obligatory part of the Bushido code, the code of practice of the samurai. The result of Shogun’s reflections was the Solomon’s decision (it’s a spoiler, but only for those who are at odds with history and literature) - Ronin was waiting for death, but from his own hands in the process of an honorable ritual seppuku.

Karl Rinsch and special effects expert Christian Manz wanted Japan to look in their film like they did in Hayo Miyazaki’s films. Hence the scenery, landscapes and the mythical creature Kirin - Japanese unicorn
Actually, the story of the lost Samurai is quite simple and, by and large, was not suitable for a Hollywood production. The Americans ignored her; despite the fact that in Japan the legend was awarded no less than a dozen adaptations, something more was needed overseas. More was found in the addition to the history of mysticism and Keanu Reeves. Reeves was supposed to “sell” a rather specific “national” movie to a Western audience, and mysticism - to add stories of mystery, drive and fear. With the first, everything is pretty sad - Keanu, unfortunately, has long lost some acting drive. He still holds well on the court, keeps his shape and from time to time whips the viewer with a sad look, but does not light. It is extremely difficult for him to drag the film on himself alone, and if there is only one non-Asian actor, it is clear that he will pull the Ronin on himself over the ocean. Here, the second component would be connected - mysticism, but here everything is not so cloudless. With the addition of a witch, spiders, monsters, demons and ghosts to the plot, an instructive and even somewhat philosophical legend from a parable turns into a teenage fairy tale a la “The Hobbit” or “Narnia”.

The latter, however, is rather a “plus” of the picture than its “minus”. Yes, morality has faded into the background, and with conclusions about honor and faithful service to one’s principles it’s somehow more complicated, but it has become much more spectacular. It can be seen that Rinsch heartily tried in battle scenes, noticeably with the naked eye, what pleasure he gets from drawing a powerful beast, which is hunted in one of the opening scenes, from the swirling flying silk, which is so often found in his commercials, from steel armor and blades. But with emotions it is not easy for him - love lines are dotted, although this superficiality can be attributed to eastern coldness. This is not easier for the actors - they are completely devoid of individual traits, with the exception of a couple of leading characters. Watching them is completely uninteresting, especially since history does not imply the development of characters.

It is difficult to give an unambiguous assessment of such a combination of Hollywood frivolity and Asian solidity - the picture turned out to be spectacular, but empty, the characters came out entertaining, but one-time, the story seems to be interesting, but it was presented without a twinkle. If this project was not born in so many torments and disagreements (Rinsh himself was going to quit shooting, then the studio tried to remove him from production), it could be considered a passing warm-up, but ambition and budget make you think hard about the future of all the components of the picture. If Karl Rinsch may have a second chance very soon, then Japan risks remaining misunderstood for many more years, and Keanu Reeves may even disappear from the radar. And no 47 friends will help him.