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Summary: A better Lear than Lear
Review: This is a truly mesmerizing film which I've been watching at least once a year for the last 10 years or so. It is a dark film in mood, but beautifully filmed; and the violence seems neither gratuitive nor trivialized. I find it a much more powerful statement than even Olivier's King Lear. My third favorite movie of all time (following My Dinner with Andre and Annie Hall).
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Summary: May he rest in peace.
Review: Akira Kurosawa died two days ago, but his memory will live forever, thanks to his films, which rank among the greatest ever made, and were the acknowledged inspiration for Speilberg, Lucas, and almost every director since. If you've never seen them, do yourself a favor and get them. END
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Summary: Kurosawa at his best.
Review: Ran is by far one of the most spectacular films ever created. If you are a fan of the beautiful art of film, then by all means this is a must have. The images will be forever emblazoned in my mind and I will cherish this masterpiece for many years to come. END
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Summary: Kurosawas best!
Review: The best Kurosawa picture and one of the greatest ever made - with great Music of Toru Takemitsu - wonderful! END
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Summary: Ran=Chaos
Review: Ran, meaning chaos in Japanese, perfectly captures the spirit and atmosphere of this film. Essentially a Japanese version of Shakespeare's KING LEAR, RAN follows the story of the Great Lord Hidetora, who decides to divide his kingdom among his three sons: Taro, Jiro, and Saburo. What occurs is the systematic and tragic destruction of Hidetora, his family, and his kingdom as the sons continuously conflict with each other. Deep emotion and stunning action scenes accentuate the violence and tension of the film. One of Kurosawa's last films to date (after all, he has been directing since 1946), RAN is also one of his greatest, easily on par with RASHOMON, THE SEVEN SAMURAI, and YOJIMBO. The only missing element is the late, great Toshiro Mifune in the lead. END
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Summary: Ran means chaos not past-tense for run
Review: I used to think that Ran was a movie about people that "ran" around alot until a friend called me a retard and explained that it is pronounced "ron" and the word means chaos.
I of coursed asked why the h3ll the name wasnt spelled RON?
My freind just called me stupid and popped a copy of RAN into my DVD player and we turned out the lights and began to watch this movie.
Half through the movie my friend started revealing some inner demons but I was too into this movie to care. As Hidetaro went insane my friend began showing his on insanity. firp dee burb murp klurp PLOOP!
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Summary: WHO WILL ENJOY THIS SENSATIONAL MASTERPIECE:
Review: People who care about grandiloquent visuals yet a controlled palette accentuated by the immemorable use of sound -- or, in one major battle scene, the absence of the sounds of the battle, the horrors of war somehow magnified by the silent screams and the unheard bullets, only the quietly mournful dissonance of the haunting background score to be heard. Castle gates close with resounding, hollow booms, shutting people out, shutting people in. A crescendo of cicadas. And the final anguished shriek of a flute lending a much more effective voice to the great tragedy that has been played out than closing words might have done. If you're expecting flaming Gladiator-type fight scenes or Samurai action, you may be disappointed. That said, the battle scenes are magnum opus if you know how to appreciate visual splendor. The screenplay may be relaxed overall, sure, it takes a while to unfold a tale of filial destruction ("King Lear" adaptation) but when the forts crumble and arrows fly asunder, the pace of the film is unbridled. Whether you're a film philistine or a major Kurosawa buff or simply someone who relishes tastefully done cinema, this is absolutely worth the ride. I highly recommend this as a rental, but the discerning types may also want to add it to their collections. It's among Kurosawa's best.
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Summary: Ran
Review: This movie is spectacular! I just bought the Masterworks Edition DVD recently, and it is better than my older Ran DVD. I don't know what people are talking about-I thought the picture on this DVD was really good (Criterion Collection could probably do a better job, they are superior!) and the sound was brilliant. There could have been a little more extras though...
For the uninitiated, this is Kurosawa's take on Shakesphere's King Lear. I had read King Lear before watching the movie, and yes, I dare say it...I like Kurosawa's version of King Lear better! (if that is a fair statement since Kurosawa's is a little different). Anyway, this movie is really, really superb and magnificent in every category. You name it-visuals (absolutely breathtaking), audio, acting, action sequences, costumes, etc. Many scenes in this movie are really, really memorable (especially the scene where Hidetora and his men are attacked in a castle by Hidetora's sons Jiro and Taro- one of the best action sequences on film!). Why this movie didn't win Best Picture of the Year or at least Best Foreign Film in 1985 is totally beyond me (it only won Best Costume Design!).
So overall this movie is an amazing film. It is truly a masterpiece of masterpieces! In fact, I think this film is only rivaled by some of Kurosawa's other films (Seven Samurai and Rashomon). Anyway, if you haven't seen this film yet, (the words of Napoleon Dynamite, "IDIOT!") go buy/rent it now. Any movie buff will love this movie, but Kurosawa fans, war movie fans, and period action movie fans in particular will love it. This movie definately deserves 5 stars.
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Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: I was watching the Oscars several years ago when they gave Kurosawa a lifetime achivement award. I was touched by his humility. They showed clips from several of his films. The clip from "Ran", only about 10 or 15 seconds, was so elloquent that I immediatly understood what the film was about. When I finally saw it, I learned that my initial impression was not wrong; but the story was so fascinating and detailed that I felt my understanding of not only the story, but the principles behind it were "complete" after watching it.
Tatsuya Nakadai did a brillinat job of bringing the Lord Hidetora character to life. His triumphs and suffering were an actual visceral experience.
I make it a point to watch this, and other Kurosawa films, at least once a year.
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Summary: Shakespeare, Kurosawa Style
Review: After I got finished watching Ran I reflected on the fact that Japanese movies almost never have a happy ending. This is because the Japanese don't always need the happy ending, they can deal with the reality that life doesn't always have the good turn. With this in mind I realized that the Japanese must really love Shakespeare's tradegies.
Ran is Akira Kurosawa's retelling of Shakespeare's King Lear. An aging warlord wants to divide his kingdom into equal parts for his three sons. The youngest protests and warns that such a plan will breed rivalry. His elder brothers talk the warlord into doing it and the youngest is banished. After the warlord turns his throne over things begin to fall apart. The king is attacked at the famous Assualt of the Third Castle scene. His entourage is wiped out by his sons as they attack him. He goes mad, and escapes into the wilderness.
Some people have called this an action movie. If you get this expecting to see dramatic samurai duels you will be sorely dissapointed. I would classify this as a graphic look at jealousy in humanity. The overwhelming desire for man to have more is captured in the bloody and decietful fight between the brothers. Kurosawa captures the ultimate suffering men can inflict on each other in order to better themselves. Not only do we see how the king is wronged by his sons we also see perhaps one of the most pitiable characters in the film, the former prince who had his eyes removed on the king's command. There are few likeable characters in this movie, only those to be pitied.
Kurosawa out does himself on the filming of Ran. The use of bright colors especially in the midst of battle is impressive. Through the smoke from musket fire are bright reds from the blood and banners flying as well as yellow banners. The knave is another standout, with his strange, jovial dress he really stands out in the cast. The king's wardrobe of white, the Eastern color of death, is appropriate since he caused so much in his life and now it stalks him.
Despite criticisms of the poor quality DVD I really can see no problem with it. I would enjoy this film no matter what the contrast or screen size was. Ran is not really a film to sit down and enjoy. At no point could I tell myself that this was some kind of war film. Check out Ran, and have your mind blown.
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