| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
A- |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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I am utterly impressed.
by Terrorazer (movies profile)
Jul 9, 2007
1
of
1 people found this review helpful
Akira Kurosawa has done it again. This time in color and, in my opinion, his very best film yet. After watching this film, I was completely mesmerized. It had me thinking about it long after I watched it. It's just one of those movies that sticks to you wherever you go and no matter how bored you are, is able to provide the mind with its beautiful scenes and compelling storyline to ponder about. The story is based on Shakespeare's King Lear, and is extremely captivating while complemented by the superior acting of all the characters, the brilliant cinematography and direction, and the dazzling visual effects that undoubtedly please the eye, even for a 1985 film.
The story kicks off by introducing the 'King' of this Japanese territory including main castles and its castle branches. He has three sons, Taro, Jiro, and Saburo, each honorable and brave. Suddenly, he has a dream and decides to pass on his supremacy to his eldest son. Despite his youngest son's warning, the Father proceeds. From here on out, the story unfolds in an epic tragedy of corruption, power, greed, and insanity. It is simply amazing. Words are not enough to describe it. The feelings that one will feel, or rather the feelings that I felt as I watched this movie. It is awe-inspiring. I frequently found myself terrified, petrified, and ultimately mesmerized by the events that unfolded before my eyes on the screen. I said it earlier and I will say it again: Kurosawa's adaptation is simply and utterly amazing.
There is not much you can say about the acting except that it is entirely appropriate and perfectly casted for each role. The Father is such a complicated character, the acting job was absolutely wonderful since it was very believable. The performance of the 'Lady Macbeth' version of this movie is truly memorable. The corruption and greed, it's all within her subtext, and I found myself quite terrified by her presence. There is just not much you can say but 'Wow'.
Kurosawa's films are well-known to capture the surroundings and the background scenery of the entire shot, in addition to the characters int he scene. He once again excels in this film. The shots of the clouds and the sun do a fine job in interpretting the passing of time, as well as the tone of the movie, which is very melancholic, gloomy, and dark. The blood red sun also appears in the movie and possibly suggests the overwhelming bloodshed that occurs within this civil war. The art direction is perfectly executed and the camera work couldn't have been better. The style of the camera moving across the plains as characters run across it... is memorable indeed. This picture is visually stuning. It is a charm to watch this movie. What an outstanding job to Kurosawa and his crew.
Overall, 'Ran' is one of the best films ever to be made. It is definitely in my list of Top Ten films and it is surely one I will find myself watching over and over again in the future. The combination of an epic story, outstanding acting, and pleasing visuals forms this movie as a most tragic masterpiece, and undoubtedly, one that will forever be on my list of favorites. |
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