Yojimbo
My Kurosawa binge continues with my now-2nd ranked film by the legendary filmmaker. Kurosawa paired with Toshiro Mifune is legitimately one of the greatest duos in film history standing neck and neck with Scorsese & de Niro, Scorsese & Leo, and Spielberg & Hanks. If Mifune were an American actor around this time, he would be so much more popular in casual movie conversations because he is an absolute rock star on the screen. Endless charisma and so funny, he has been the shining star in each Kurosawa film that I’ve seen.
I haven’t gotten to any old western movies yet (I know A Fistful of Dollars by Leone is based off this), but the final duel where Mifune makes that long walk towards the opposing gang reminds me of the stereotypical western duels.
I’m still laughing at Ushitoka’s trio of goons: his son that always has that STRAP on him, the goofy short guy with the unibrow, and then the Japanese version of the giant in Happy Gilmore. By far Kurosawa’s funniest movie with multiple laugh out loud moments paired with an awesome story of a ronin protecting the people of a small village run by thugs.
Rating: 95/100