47 Ronin

While there are quite a few really cool action sequences near the end, 47 Ronin is a very slow-paced movie. While some may be swept into the world the filmmakers have created, some will be quite bored. The acting is merely passable. Keanu Reeves delivers a mediocre performance, nothing spectacular, nothing horrible. Hiroyuki Sanada wasn't bad in his role as the "leader" of the 47 Ronin. What surprised me was that Hiroyuki's character was arguably the main character, while Keanu Reeves' character Kai, played more of a supporting role. The rest of the actors in this film range from okay, to terrible performances. The film is riddled with cheesy dialogue, plot twists you saw coming, and moments where you wish "come on! Let's see some cool Samurai fights!" and while these cool moments do come, it's almost all during the last half hour. The costumes and special effects were REALLY well done in my opinion, one of the high points of the movie, and while there are messages about bravery and honor, they are buried deep underneath bad acting, and fantastical elements that were cool, but were not necessary. It feels like this movie didn't know what it wanted to be, a Samurai flick about bravery, honor and vengeance, or rather a two hour action movie complete with witches and magical powers, and 47 Ronin is sadly caught in between. I will however, give it the entertainment factor in the sense that it is enjoyable at some parts, and the action sequences are very cool. It's worth watching at matinee price (avoid 3D), and while it can be fun, it's forgettable.