Browser’s Magnificent Seven

47 Ronin 8.30pm beIN Movies Action

SOME critics wre affronted by Hollywood’s blockbuster treatment of a classic slice of Japanese folklore. Make up your own mind about this extravagant curio.

It’s a Samurai epic about a gallant band of doomed feudal warriors fighting to avenge their dead lord who was tricked into committing ritual suicide. This revered fable is over-the-top by definition — packed with magic, witches, dragons, monsters and superheroes. Grafted on to this tall tale is Kai, alias Keanu Reeves, a warrior of mixed-race raised by ghosts.

To a Japanese scholar these are respected legends whose deeds were comparable to the 300 Spartans, the Alamo, Rorke’s Drift and so on.

Every Japanese character actor of note appears here. Hiroyuki Sanada is the charismatic chief of the loyal band and Tadanobi Asano is suitably nasty as the evil Kira.

Carl Rinsch made his debut as director of this weird and occasionally wonderful take on Japanese culture from a script by Hossein Amini and Chris Morgan in 2012.

Empire magazine said: “A decent, colourful Samurai spectacle.

“The story stands up after multiple retellings.”

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