BUNRAKU (2010)

Bunraku (2010)


Bunraku first and foremost is form of Japanese puppet theatre. Puppetry by nature requires audiences to suspend disbelief, use imagination and have open minds to appreciate the story that is to be told to them.

This film is that as well. The story is largely archetypical. Mysterious stranger on the hunt for revenge, dishonoured swordmaster looking to reclaim family honour, etc. The story while familiar is anything but ordinary, as the journey this film takes you on is unlike anything you have ever seen before. Just trying to describe it is tough. It is like a stage play meets spaghetti western meets japanese bushido epic meets swing kids meets Kill Bill meets Scott Pilgrim vs the World.

Succinct enough? This film was beautiful. I didn't even want to like it. IT was marketed very poorly, and the commercials made it look ridiculous. However, the story is wonderful. It simultaneosly manages to feel like an old bedtime story and yet refreshingly new and unique.

I don't even know where to begin. It was just an epic story. This was a film that explored the full scope of the film medium. This blurred the lines of video games, puppetry, stage, comic books and dance, all while maintaining status as a stunning martial arts epic. There really is too much and yet too little to review adequately. Other than dramatic hyperbolic descriptions this film would best be witnessed and then discussed and then re-watched again.

Josh Hartnett who some dislike, I have enjoyed thoroughly since Lucky Number Slevin is decent as The mysterious Drifter. Gackt (a japanese actor) is sufficiently deadly. Woody Harrelson is great in his role as mentor in a dystopian future (better than Hunger Games for certain), and the allegories throughout the film warrant repeat value alone. One major major standout was Kevin McKidd as Killer No. 2. Brilliant job, which shows that his talents are being wasted in the abyssmal Grey's Anatomy.

The Good: Everything described above and then some. This film is both a tribute to great films and stories past, as well as a visionary new way ahead for artistic expression.

The bad: Ron Perlman is not bad per se, just overused in general right now, and I wish it went to someone who could exude a bit more quiet menace and depth. Demi Moore is a wate of space and I don't understand how she was remotely important to have given the role she played.

Final Thoughts: Brilliant Film. Loved it.

Add to the Vault? Yes. those looking for a quick and likely cheaper birthday/christmas present ever, feel free to get this movie in glorious HD for me.