Criterion Chronicles 2

I bet you thought I was gone for good, but guess what jarelle - you thought WRONG! Like James Bond, I am back and better than ever before! What took so long? Well, there was a lot of drinking and a weekend away, but mainly what took so long was my resistance to watching "The Seven Samurai" - movie 2 in the Criterion Collection. I should not have dallied so - "The Seven Samurai" was a TKO (that's Technical Knockout for those who box not, and henceforth my highest movie rating).

And now, with no further ado, Mr. Busch and I humbly present Kurosawa's masterpiece, "The Seven Samurai":

from the Criterion Collection: Seven Samurai site:
A desperate village hires seven samurai to protect it from marauders in this crown jewel of Japanese cinema. No other film so seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, delicate human emotions and relentless action. Featuring Japans legendary star, the great Toshiro Mifune, Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai is an inspired epic a triumph of art, and an unforgettable three-hour ride.

Mr. Busch says:
The second installment in the Criterion Chronicles finds us jumping from 1938 to 1954, and we have traveled leaps and bounds: Kurosawa's style feels exponentially warm and contemporary after Renoir's mannered Grand Illusion; the atmosphere approaches light-heartedness in its depiction of human suffering, honor, and pettiness. The samurais seem modern and convivial yet perfectly at home in 16th century Japan, and this greatly adds to the film's appeal. (Speaking of modern, I couldn't help but notice that the swashbuckling lead actor, Toshiro Mifune, spends a helluva lot of time in a thong - especially while doing battle! Hot!) The graphic titles and booming soundtrack add to the grandeur. Clearly this film laid the groundwork for Hollywood action films forevermore, yet it comes with the depth you expect from a master of Japanese cinema and a wonderful not-so-Hollywood ending.

Criterion supplies us with a hoity-toity commentary track by a Japanese film scholar that explains every camera shot - actually pretty cool. And the original trailer is quite brilliant and features new footage. But my favorite Criterion element was the subtitle translation - that thong-wearing hottie actually says "Sheeyit" several times! [Hard-core Criterion collectors take note: a restoration demonstration is included on the first printing only; my rental from Netflix didn't have it.]

Jen says:
What's so special about this movie is the kinetic narrative development, the archetypal characters, the humor, the cinemtogaraphy - sheesh, everything. Here's a movie that really does have it all - it's a buddy movie, a war epic, a romantic comedy, an historical drama - and it just never lets up. It's amazing anyone had the courage to make a movie after this. I was totally floored by Kurosawa's mastery of every element, and it's easy to see why the movie has informed every film from "The Magnificent Seven" to "The Wizard of Oz" to "Star Wars". I'm even CERTAIN that Johnny Depp based his character in "Pirates of the Carribean" on Toshiro Mifune in this movie. CERTAIN.

I mean, come on. (By the way, doing an image search for Johnny Depp was the most fun I've had in a while.) Anyway, it was interesting to note the similarities between "Seven Samurai" and "Grand Illusion" (last week's film). They both tackle the division between social classes and the expectations/limitations imposed on you depending on your caste. But due to my limited attention span, I have to admit I liked "The Seven Samurai" considerably more, thanks to the brilliant construction of the scenes and the momentum of the story. I also back Mr. Busch up in saying that the commentary adds much to the appreciation of this watershed film. Arrigato!

Comments

[Barty]

Resistance to the Seven Samurai? Man, what's going on in your head that you would watch all the C.C. and not already love S.S?

Shit.

[Boronx]

Depp said he based Captain Jack off of Keith Richards.