| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
B+ |
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| Acting: |
B |
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| Direction: |
A- |
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|
| Visuals: |
B |
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|
A Japanese Western
by Aaro (movies profile)
Jul 23, 2006
1
of
1 people found this review helpful
Yojimbo, or The Bodyguard, was Akira Kurosawa's tribute to the western. Ironically, the success of the film helped spark a new boom of westerns.
The story is simple. Sanjuro (Toshiro Mifune) is a samurai without a master. He must rely on his wits and sword to survive. One day he wanders into a town divided by two groups. The gamblers and the common workers. Neither side is very good. Sanjuro, being a great swordsman, is able to use this to advantage to get money. However, it is after compassion strikes him that he becomes vulnerable.
The movie started out a bit slowly for me. The film was more comedic in the first half, but really picked up steam in the aforementioned moment when Sanjuro lets his conscience drive his actions.
Toshiro Mifune is very good in the lead role, as he and Kurosawa had been working with each for over a decade. All the supporting performances are okay, but nothing special.
I have not come close to seeing all of Kurosawa's great films, so I can't say I know where this ranks, but I can't believe this is one of his best. It does not have the emotional power or epic feel of some of his masterpieces. Nonetheless, Yojimbo is a pleasant diversion, and has a strong second half. |
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