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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Seven Samurai (1954) in Movies

Aug 2, 2019

Seven Samurai (1954)

1954 | Action, Adventure, Drama

7.7

(19 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Powerful Movie With a Powerful Ending

When a small village is threatened to be overrun by bandits, they seek the help of samurai to defend them. Seven Samurai is quite long in the tooth, but if you’ve got an afternoon to kill, go for it!

Acting: 10

Beginning: 7

Characters: 10

Cinematogprahy/Visuals: 10
I can’t say this for sure as someone who is still a Movie Pup, but it seems to me that this is where slow-mo was invented. On more than one occasion a man gets cut down and there is a slow pause before the man finally falls to his death. It’s very impactful, especially in one-on-one fights where you have the one warrior left standing. There were a number of impactful shots that made this movie a beauty to watch. I especially appreciated all the work captured in the torrential rain, particularly the battles. Whether it was real or special effects, it looked phenomenal either way.

Conflict: 9

Entertainment Value: 8
Had the movie moved a little faster, this would have been a perfect score no question and I would be speaking of it in the same breath as movies like 1952 classic Singin’ In the Rain. While cumbersome in spots, when it’s on, it REALLY on firing on all cylinders and keeping you excited to see what is going to happen next. This is a five-course meal in which you’re not going to like all the courses, but you’ll leave happy.

Memorability: 3

Pace: 6

Plot: 7
Decent storyline with not too much depth. From the finding of the samurai (and yes you will watch them collect all seven) to the training that ensues and preparation, they missed the mark in the story by not cutting into the meat sooner. For what it’s worth, I think this movie definitely set the stage for all action movies to follow. For that, mad props.

Resolution: 10

Overall: 80
For Seven Samurai to be as slow as it is yet as good as it is is a testament to the movie as a whole. It’s beautiful, meaningful, and is at least trying to win your heart. If it was indeed a five-course meal, four of those courses were delicious. I could have skipped the salad.

Kudos

Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated In the Heart of the Sea (2015) in Movies

Aug 6, 2019

Based on a novel by Nathaniel Philbrick, “In the Heart of the Sea,” is the tale that inspired “Moby Dick.” Set in 1820, the whaling ship Essex is taken out by a gigantic bull sperm whale and the crew finds themselves at the mercy of the sea.

Director Ron Howard strikes a fine balance between drama and action. The film doesn’t linger too long on building up the background story before plunging into an enthralling adventure. The character development is rapid, yet still manages to create depth and give the audience a chance to connect to the personalities.

Early in the film an entertaining power struggle takes place between Captain George Pollard, Jr. (Benjamin Walker) and First Officer Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth). Captain Pollard was born into a prestigious whaling family and though not the most experienced, is placed in the position of Captain. Chase on the other hand was an orphan who grew up putting in hard work on whaling ships. The conflict between the two men dooms the crew and the ship from the outset.

The first scenes of whaling are hard to watch, bringing to light the aspect of humans as beasts themselves hunting peaceful creatures for oil.

After the ship has had a bit of success, they move on to take more. Greed and anger backfire and nature fights back. When the ship is taken out by the enraged bull sperm whale, a sheer battle for survival, requiring brute strength and quick thinking ensues.

The ominous seas show no mercy to the men, bringing them to the brink of death. When the men begin to starve they resort to cannibalism. The emotional battle of moral struggle is heart wrenching.

The film has a spiritual quality, incorporating themes of the human experience of survival, ignorance, transcendence. It also has some political undertones dealing with the subject of big oil that, despite being a very old story, are still relevant today.

The graphics are absolutely stunning and the acting is good. But the story and execution is what makes it a truly great film. It is the sum that’s greater than the individual parts in this case, which makes the film an awe inspiring experience.

I give “In the Heart of the Sea” 5 out of 5 stars.