Bunraku

Honestly, The main reason I bought Bunraku was to support my favorite Japanese musician, GACKT who stars as Yoshi in Bunraku. I didn't hold out much hope for the rest of the movie based on critic reviews.But I sat down and watched it, and honestly, I really really liked it. Not to say the movie isn't flawed. the beginning is a bit campy and confusing. I didn't know where they were going with anything until almost 15 minutes in. The way they introduced and built the characters up could have been done much better.However, once you got passed the corny introductions to the characters, and figured out what the heck was going on... the rest fell into place nicely.Josh Hartnett filled the role of "The Drifter" very well. he brought a bit of realism to what could best be described as a comic book character. There were moments where he made you laugh, like a scene where he has to use a trapeze. I really enjoyed the fight scenes with "The Drifter". They were exciting... Josh Hartnett was right on in his interpretation of the character.I think Woody Harrelson did a great job as the bartender. He seemed to fit the role perfectly, and I'm not talking about his bartending stint on 'Cheers'. (I was too little to really appreciate his time on that show - lol). what I liked about Harrelson in this movie... He has this sort of wisdom in his eye, and cunningly knowing smile. He really stuck out to me in this movie. I have to say, I have a new found respect for Harrelson as an actor after this role.Gackt surprised me. I'm a big fan of his music, and I liked him in Furin Kazan (a Japanese Samurai period piece)... however, I didn't know how he would handle the transition to and English speaking Hollywood movie. Surprisingly, his acting is very good. he wasn't over the top nor was he too understated. He made the character realistic and likable. You would never guess by watching this movie that this was his first Hollywood movie, or that he didn't have a large list of acting credits under his belt. There were a few times I had to remind myself that I was watching GACKT, because he brings you into his character. He really did a great job.There were a few things I didn't like, or at least, that disappointed me a bit. Nicola (the main baddie played brilliantly by Ron Perlman) and Alexandra (played also brilliantly by Demi Moore) were not properly utilized in the movie. There was so much that could have been done with both characters... I feel there were missed opportunities. Especially when we learn WHO Alexandra has a history with, and considering Nicola is the most feared, and most dangerous man that few dare stand up to him... once you see the movie, you'll spot a few places where the opportunities were missed... So I won't go into it further as to not spoil you.So all in all, this was an excellent movie. Yes there are some flaws, but none that seriously effect the watch-ability of this movie. I would say this is going to be a fan classic fairly quickly. if you like Samurai movies or Westerns, or if you liked Sin City... I think you'll like this movie. Its the kind of movie you can appreciate more the second and third time around. I'd say it's definitely worth the purchase.

I have been meaning to write this review for sometimes now after purchasing this DVD.I would advise you to do this when first watching this movieJust watch and enjoy the ride! Don't nitpick!Each of the characters I enjoyed during the movie as they come into this odd fantasyfuturistic world where weapons are outlawed.We meet the Drifter who has an agenda to seek out the great killer Nicola the Woodcutter.He works by himself and with his wits and fists.Another also seeks Nicola - the samurai named Yoshi, a slightly naïve man who believesin a sacred code of honor while trying to help his uncle and cousin.These two meet at a bar where a man named the Bartender asks them to team up todefeat Nicola. The bartender is a mysterious quirky man who has a history withNicola and seeks to save his town from him.Nicola is a dangerous man in his own right with his band of nine killers, but now manyyears later since establishing his reign, seek to settle down and focus on his legacy.His woman Alexandra, a fierce woman in her own right, has a secret and seeks tomake a decision on her future. It would have been interesting to do more withthis character and maybe see her fight. We do however get a glimpse into her past.Each of the killers are interesting with what screen time they each have. (There isone scene where I thought that the Joker had come out to play - you'll find it! :)But Killer #2 has a particular finesse to him - seemingly harmless at first - just a fopor dandy until he kills. . .Then it all comes together in an awesome showdown that you just have to see.Also it would have been interesting to have the cousin Mimoko fight, but seeingthe uncle fight was cool!I have seen this six times and want to see it again! Must watch!

[Review based on the theatrical release.] This is an fascinatingly stylized film that is as much about filmmaking itself as it is about its mythological, Joseph Campbell-esque plot. I was originally interested in it because of the involvement of Japanese singer/auteur Gackt, whose staged works I greatly admire. However, when I read the mainstream reviews, I went into the theater thinking than the film would be a disaster or even worse, a "so bad it's bad" bore.Nothing could be further from the truth. I found the film engaging from beginning to end, with more visual information packed into the theatrically lit and staged frames than could possibly be absorbed in a single viewing. During the showing I didn't look at my watch once and I am not easily amused.This film deserves to advance to "cult classic" status and is a film that deserves to be added to future film school curricula because of its success in using many of the devices of filmmaking and theater to create a visually consistent, entirely artificial world. I usually rent instead of buying, but this film is worth more than one watch, just to absorb more of the kaleidoscopic visuals.If you love the "production design" aspect of filmmaking, this is a five-star movie. If you mostly care about story and a novel plotline, then call it 2 ½ stars because there is little new in the plot. If you like a mythological story that is told in a way you have never seen before, then Bunraku is a solid four stars.

Okay, I'll admit the plot itself is not terribly original. It reminds me of a pastiche of western plots, yet the way it's all put together is fresh, and the comic-style imagery works really well with it. Bunraku is different, it's bold, and it doesn't take itself too seriously - all of those are big pluses with me. Add Japanese superstar Gackt and Ron Perlman to the ingredients, and it was well on the way to winning me over from the very beginning. I had't seen Josh Hartnett before, but I thought he did a good job as one of the two drifters. My admiration, however, goes entirely to Gaku-sama and Ron Perlman for their brilliant performances. Gackt is simply delightful as the idealistic warrior Yoshi, and Perlman is a superb villain, to such an extent that you keep wavering between hating his guts, and actually sympathising with him (at least I did). I have to also mention Woody Harrelson, whose interraction with Yoshi and Hartnett's drifter provided plenty of comic, as well as a few poignant, moments. Last, but not least, I must mention the fighting, as there's a lot of it. Now, I don't care much for fight scenes, but even so, I wasn't bored at all, not least due to the fact that there always seemed to be a slight comic element to them which made you switch from thinking "Wow, that was cool!" to chuckling in a matter of seconds.To sum all up, if you like quirky and very visual films, you'll like Bunraku. And even if it fails to impress you as much as it impressed me, I promise you won't regret the time you spent watching it. The only downside can think of is the lack of bonus features (if you don't count the trailer, which I don't), at least on the DVD. Not sure if the BlueRay edition has more extras.

What on earth possessed me to buy this ?The film tries to be some form of art noir & is done in a similar vein to Sin City - But it is nowhere near as well done.I could only stomach about 30mins before I gave up watching.It is boring beyond belief & utter drivel - For those who purchase it - Good luck

I was a little wary of this based on some previous reviews that stated the japanese parts weren't subtitled and one of the main actors was only in this briefly. Not true for my copy! The japanese parts are subtitled in a very clever way and the main guys were in it throughout. Great movie with lots of great action and suprisingly very funny. With all the remakes and movies based on games this is a refreshingly original mix of genres that works perfectly.

Pleased with purchase

Great film. Loved it