This feels like the closest thing to perfection this story could’ve come
It’s pure and unrelenting in its attack on the bushido code and masterful in its tension building
Its had the same effect on me every time especially the lead up to that final duel
The parts that are funny towards the beginning contribute even more strongly to its attack, as it perfects the tonal shift from ‘look how silly this is’ to ‘this is getting intense now’ to ‘look at the consequences’ sort of thing
Might seem like a crazy comparison but it reminds me of Memories of Murder in this way and how it masters gradually evolving into something truly powerful
Its so easy to take for granted how good this looks as well
Films simply didn’t look this good outside of the obvious competition from he time - or at least nature doesn’t
I can’t think of a more delicate use of nature in black and white, it’s really something
Especially as backdrop to such a light and dark narrative
I can finally say that I do really enjoy Kinnosuke’s performance
It takes a while to warm to, but I haven’t seen a descent into madness portrayed this well (or at least I can’t now)
The final duel the entire film builds to is an extremely well crafted spiral into derangement
The music and the noise (while can be jarring… which also works quite well) is the perfect level of hysteria to unsettle but not remove you from your immersion
The visual echos to the surviving final 15 minutes of Chokon are quite breathtaking at moments, I find myself having a really strong gut reaction to at least 2 frames that seem ripped straight from Chokon (or at least that vibe yk)
Also, this time around, the scene I’ve detested since my first watch came it’s closest to working, but still annoys me so so much
I can understand why from the time period and Shinpachi’s mental state, but it just pains me especially given it’s pretty irrelevant
However, knowing more about Toei now and the way they operated, it seems maybe some studio interference could be responsible for this inclusion and maybe it wasn’t originally planned
That seems possible to me but either way, it does hold this back
But that’s kind of it for negatives tbh
The conclusion being told through side characters is so neat it’s ridiculous, reflecting on system in its final moments
Maybe what’s working for me doesn’t work for everyone, but I’m just so grateful this is out there, mashing together all the best parts of the greatest samurai films (most of which don’t focus on the sword clanging wholly) and still forming something fresh and new
Hopefully it will get the praise one day I really feel it deserves
So great
This feels like the closest thing to perfection this story could’ve come
It’s pure and unrelenting in its attack on the bushido code and masterful in its tension building
Its had the same effect on me every time especially the lead up to that final duel
The parts that are funny towards the beginning contribute even more strongly to its attack, as it perfects the tonal shift from ‘look how silly this is’ to ‘this is getting intense now’ to ‘look at the consequences’ sort of thing
Might seem like a crazy comparison but it reminds me of Memories of Murder in this way and how it masters gradually evolving into something truly powerful
Its so easy to take for granted how good this looks as well
Films simply didn’t look this good outside of the obvious competition from he time - or at least nature doesn’t
I can’t think of a more delicate use of nature in black and white, it’s really something
Especially as backdrop to such a light and dark narrative
I can finally say that I do really enjoy Kinnosuke’s performance
It takes a while to warm to, but I haven’t seen a descent into madness portrayed this well (or at least I can’t now)
The final duel the entire film builds to is an extremely well crafted spiral into derangement
The music and the noise (while can be jarring… which also works quite well) is the perfect level of hysteria to unsettle but not remove you from your immersion
The visual echos to the surviving final 15 minutes of Chokon are quite breathtaking at moments, I find myself having a really strong gut reaction to at least 2 frames that seem ripped straight from Chokon (or at least that vibe yk)
Also, this time around, the scene I’ve detested since my first watch came it’s closest to working, but still annoys me so so much
I can understand why from the time period and Shinpachi’s mental state, but it just pains me especially given it’s pretty irrelevant
However, knowing more about Toei now and the way they operated, it seems maybe some studio interference could be responsible for this inclusion and maybe it wasn’t originally planned
That seems possible to me but either way, it does hold this back
But that’s kind of it for negatives tbh
The conclusion being told through side characters is so neat it’s ridiculous, reflecting on system in its final moments
Maybe what’s working for me doesn’t work for everyone, but I’m just so grateful this is out there, mashing together all the best parts of the greatest samurai films (most of which don’t focus on the sword clanging wholly) and still forming something fresh and new
Hopefully it will get the praise one day I really feel it deserves
So great
