Who is the Audience for This Movie?

Fans of Samurai movies.

What I Liked About This Movie

It felt as though Akira Kurosawa was intentionally trying to make an epic movie. With a running time of over 200 minutes from the get go you know you are in store for a lengthy adventure. Never at any point though does it hinder on one plot point for too long so it easily justifies its length. To make it a smoother viewing experience there is an intermission in the middle so if you are a person who likes to watch longer movies in parts you will be happy.

No review of this movie would be right if you did not mention how influential it is. The great characterizations, story arcs, and tones have heavily influenced western cinema. Even if you are not a movie buff you will be able to notice character types and story elements that are still commonly used today. Adding to its already impressive achievements is the incredible cinematography. Every few minutes there is a stunning looking shot. To keep the movie from being a downer there is a nice mix of comedy thrown in for good measure. The final battle manages to deliver the goods in the end and puts the cherry on top of the already delicious pie.

What Didn’t Work For Me

Putting a love story element in an already jam packed movie may not have been such a good idea. It felt overly rushed and not nearly as interesting as it could have been. My only other gripe is that I truly did not like the use of horizontal wipes for many of the transitions between scenes. They always remind me of Saturday morning cartoons and in a dramatic movie that is not a good thing.

Should You Watch This Movie?

Going purely by the definition of the word classic (serving as a standard, model, or guide) there is no way I cannot call it one.

My Rating (Out of 13)