When the trailer for 47 RONIN first dropped, I was somewhat disappointed to see the overabundance of CGI on display. The story and cast seemed like they would make for a really cool action movie that somehow turned into a visual replica of THE HOBBIT set in feudal Japan. I wrote the movie off at that point and haven’t looked back.
But, now some clips have been released for the movie and I have to say I am intrigued again. While the CGI still looks very cartoonish in places, the use of practical sets somewhat makes up for it. Whether it be Keanu fighting in an underground arena against a giant cyclops or battling a huge beast in an open field, 47 RONIN looks to actually have some nicely shot sequences from rookie director Carl Rinsch.
An epic period film based on the true tale of a band of samurai swordsmen who avenged the death of their master in 18th century Japan. Reeves will play one of the swordsmen, a half-Japanese/half-British outcast ; the group and their master are revered in Japan for their revenge attack on Dec. 14, 1702.
While there have been comparisons made to Zack Snyder‘s 300, these clips go a long way to showcasing that 47 RONIN is not just candy-colored CGI but also has some physical craftsmanship behind it. And, Keanu looks back to form in the lead role here.
47 RONIN stats Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hossein Amini, and Rinko Kikuchi. It hits theaters on Christmas Day.