tkdlifemagazine
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There is nothing that compares to a good Samurai movie in the genre of historical actions films when done well. 11 Rebels, the newest Japanese release from Well Go USA is a really good and watchable Samurai action film.
The film is set in 1868, as the era of the Japanese Samurai is coming to an end, and Japan's political landscape is changing. The film is based upon true events, although, certainly, fictionalized for the screen.
The film's main premise surrounds a deal made to a group of convicted men to defend their feudal town in order to win their freedom. While this is the main storyline, there are numbers of smaller, personal stories that are woven into the film, using the plethora of characters as instruments to tell those stories. Those stories are as personal as the revenge of a man for the rape of his wife by a Samurai to a the preservation of the dying breed of the Samurai itself. These interwoven stories help elevate the film from a good action film to a good movie, that transcends the genre.
This film covers the same period as Tom Cruise's The Last Samurai, albeit from a different perspective. It also pays homage to the work of Akira Kurosawa, having many of the elements of his classic film, The Seven Samurai, later remade by Hollywood as the highly successful, The Magnificent Seven. While the film doesn't have the depth or complexity of a Kurosawa film (not many do), the use of multiple, diverse, and dynamic personalities is a signature of the Great Director. It is well utilized in 11 Rebels.
The cast does a great job of working as an ensemble. While the action and fighting begin to whittle the ranks of characters down, there is a natural synergy among the players that make the sum of the cast greater than any single player. While I did find myself wanting to understand a little more about each of the characters, the limitations of a single film, as opposed to a trilogy, or television series, understandably limited the possibilities for more.
While the film is a historical drama, it is also, and fundamentally, an action film. The action and violence here are well done and they are plentiful. There is action, violence, and fighting throughout the film. The migration from sword to modern weapons is a tool of action and violence here, but also lends itself to the theme of the extinction of a the noble breed of Samurai Warriors. The climactic action and fight scenes in this movie are unique, well filmed, and highly engaging. I loved the violence, in its support for the story.
The costumes, set designs, and cinematography for this film are very good. The film may not be a big budgeted film; however, the elements come together for something that is visually powerful and has an authentic feel as a period piece.
Interesting fact: this film is based upon a 1964 Script that was shelved and took sixty years to revive. I am glad these filmmakers undertook the challenger of reviving it.
11 Rebels is a great film in the Japanese tradition. I highly recommend it.
The film is set in 1868, as the era of the Japanese Samurai is coming to an end, and Japan's political landscape is changing. The film is based upon true events, although, certainly, fictionalized for the screen.
The film's main premise surrounds a deal made to a group of convicted men to defend their feudal town in order to win their freedom. While this is the main storyline, there are numbers of smaller, personal stories that are woven into the film, using the plethora of characters as instruments to tell those stories. Those stories are as personal as the revenge of a man for the rape of his wife by a Samurai to a the preservation of the dying breed of the Samurai itself. These interwoven stories help elevate the film from a good action film to a good movie, that transcends the genre.
This film covers the same period as Tom Cruise's The Last Samurai, albeit from a different perspective. It also pays homage to the work of Akira Kurosawa, having many of the elements of his classic film, The Seven Samurai, later remade by Hollywood as the highly successful, The Magnificent Seven. While the film doesn't have the depth or complexity of a Kurosawa film (not many do), the use of multiple, diverse, and dynamic personalities is a signature of the Great Director. It is well utilized in 11 Rebels.
The cast does a great job of working as an ensemble. While the action and fighting begin to whittle the ranks of characters down, there is a natural synergy among the players that make the sum of the cast greater than any single player. While I did find myself wanting to understand a little more about each of the characters, the limitations of a single film, as opposed to a trilogy, or television series, understandably limited the possibilities for more.
While the film is a historical drama, it is also, and fundamentally, an action film. The action and violence here are well done and they are plentiful. There is action, violence, and fighting throughout the film. The migration from sword to modern weapons is a tool of action and violence here, but also lends itself to the theme of the extinction of a the noble breed of Samurai Warriors. The climactic action and fight scenes in this movie are unique, well filmed, and highly engaging. I loved the violence, in its support for the story.
The costumes, set designs, and cinematography for this film are very good. The film may not be a big budgeted film; however, the elements come together for something that is visually powerful and has an authentic feel as a period piece.
Interesting fact: this film is based upon a 1964 Script that was shelved and took sixty years to revive. I am glad these filmmakers undertook the challenger of reviving it.
11 Rebels is a great film in the Japanese tradition. I highly recommend it.
So there is a long history of the Wolf Man character and Universal Pictures. This Blum House remake is a stripped down rendering of the story of a decent man whose exposure to the strange creature changes his life. There are some decent things here. It doesn't try to do too much. The biggest two problems are that it is nothing particularly scary or interesting compared to some of the other versions. The second disappointment are the make-up effects, which really are very disappointing in this one. Last year's Well Go USA's, The Beast Within, with Kit Harrington is actually a better version of this story.
Hunt the Wicked is the newest martial arts, action release from Well Go USA coming out of China. While this is a well paced police thriller about political corruption and drug trafficking, those themes are just vehicles to provide some of the best and most explosive martial arts fight choreography in recent years. This is is not to imply that plot and script are not sound; they are. This is an engaging police thriller, aside from its dynamic martial arts action. The synergy of plot elements and martial arts action make the sum even greater than its respective parts.
One of the most exciting aspects of the film is that it stars two of the most exciting martial arts action stars in the world today, both hailing from China. Andy On starred in two of the best martial arts movies of last year, 100 Yards and Blind War. Tse Miu has dominated the screen in the Two Eye for an Eye action films, as well as Ip Man: The Awakening. Either one would have been a laudable choice to star in Hunt the Wicked. Together, they elevate the film from a good martial arts film to a great one.
The Direction, by Huo Suiqiang, and cinematography in the movie are really very good. The movie has a sharp visual element and much like, Blind War, also directed by Huo Suiqiang, there is a Hong King style of shooting that keeps the viewer visually engaged throughout. This movie starts fast and gets faster. There is no down time.
The jewel in the film's crown is the fight choreography. We say this is a must see for martial arts fans because the martial arts fighting, weapons, gun play, and action choreography are top notch. There are some very good fights throughout this one. The fight scenes between the two main stars are unmatched in recent years, and the unique nature of the weapons' choreography in one of the climactic "one v. One" fight scenes is worth watching again, and again. I see the possibility of many film reel clips coming from that scene alone.
The film has an interesting plot, and an unusual plot twist. Much more in the Korean filmmaking nature there is a greater blurring of the lines between the good guys and the bad guys in this one than in most Chinese made films. The nuance works well because of the gravitas of the cast; supporting, as well as main.
The film tackles many themes relevant to Chinese society, including the powerful anti-drug mantra that permeates Chinese media and social constructs.
While this film was made for the Domestic Chinese market, its martial arts action themes and fighting lend itself to a worldwide audience.
The film is in Mandarin with English Subtitles.
One of the most exciting aspects of the film is that it stars two of the most exciting martial arts action stars in the world today, both hailing from China. Andy On starred in two of the best martial arts movies of last year, 100 Yards and Blind War. Tse Miu has dominated the screen in the Two Eye for an Eye action films, as well as Ip Man: The Awakening. Either one would have been a laudable choice to star in Hunt the Wicked. Together, they elevate the film from a good martial arts film to a great one.
The Direction, by Huo Suiqiang, and cinematography in the movie are really very good. The movie has a sharp visual element and much like, Blind War, also directed by Huo Suiqiang, there is a Hong King style of shooting that keeps the viewer visually engaged throughout. This movie starts fast and gets faster. There is no down time.
The jewel in the film's crown is the fight choreography. We say this is a must see for martial arts fans because the martial arts fighting, weapons, gun play, and action choreography are top notch. There are some very good fights throughout this one. The fight scenes between the two main stars are unmatched in recent years, and the unique nature of the weapons' choreography in one of the climactic "one v. One" fight scenes is worth watching again, and again. I see the possibility of many film reel clips coming from that scene alone.
The film has an interesting plot, and an unusual plot twist. Much more in the Korean filmmaking nature there is a greater blurring of the lines between the good guys and the bad guys in this one than in most Chinese made films. The nuance works well because of the gravitas of the cast; supporting, as well as main.
The film tackles many themes relevant to Chinese society, including the powerful anti-drug mantra that permeates Chinese media and social constructs.
While this film was made for the Domestic Chinese market, its martial arts action themes and fighting lend itself to a worldwide audience.
The film is in Mandarin with English Subtitles.