The Twilight Samurai (2002)
Blu-ray Company Release: Twilight Time
Starring: Hiroyuki Sanada. Rye Miyazawa, Ren Ohsugi, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Nenji Kobayashi
Plot: Seibei (Hiroyuki Sanada), a traditional samurai
reduced—in a rapidly modernizing Japan—to working as a laborer. A widower,
Seibei has to care for his senile mother and his two young daughters; his
financial problems are severe. Soon he has to face one more ordeal as Samurai as his clan calls upon him to fight.
My Review and Thoughts:
Film: (5/5)
What a true masterpiece of cinema.
To be honest, I had never seen this movie and I ultimately
thought it was an odd choice for a Twilight Time Special Edition Blu-ray. That
thought was wrong. This is an extraordinary piece of cinema. It belongs on this
lovingly done Blu-ray by Twilight Time.
This film was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best
Foreign Film. It also won 12 Japanese Academy Awards. I can’t really speak
highly enough about this film. It’s such a character study that it becomes a
part of you in so many ways. Your main character Seibei who is a traditional
samurai sadly forced to become more modern through the hardships and pains of
regular life. He struggles to hold on to his heritage and belief as he goes
about living his modern life with basic work and having to take care of his
aging mother who is in the realm of dementia. He also has to take care of his
two young daughters and as we all can relate to in one way or another, money
problems. Seibei and his story comes together in such a spectacular and emotional way that the viewer can’t help but feel as if they are next to him or become
him. Soon the situation gets worse for him when his Samurai clan
come to him for one last job. Seibei has to weave his classic traditions with
the overtaking of modern culture. A truly spectacular example of story.
Hiroyuki Sanada plays your main character Seibei. Sanada is
what I consider acting perfection and iconic as a performer that knows how to
own his character and become a part of that character. Most of all he makes the viewer
become a part of the character. He molds perfection through the direction and
his art of acting. Sanada to me gives a masterpiece performance that is above
and beyond the reality of acting.
An amazing entertaining down to earth story. This is a
storyteller’s masterpiece of cinema. Very deep and yet so much drama that it
leaves the viewer with a complete feeling of film perfection. Very descriptive
and very original. A true one of a kind film that is a modern instant classic. This
is a story that unfolds and is one that is a true enduring drama and in a sense
the watcher is able to relate and feel close to the story as your inner
emotions and the reality of life plays out. I enjoyed all the emotions, the drama
and the real life reality. Everything from the direction to the story to most
of all the wonderful performances came together in a flawless way.
Amazing choreographing. Amazing sword skills. Memorable fighting, but most of all a thick drama that weaves itself into your mind.
Amazing choreographing. Amazing sword skills. Memorable fighting, but most of all a thick drama that weaves itself into your mind.
The introduction to characters and the buildup of characters
is well thought out and flawlessly acted throughout the film. Each character
and situation become relatable and feel personally true. I enjoy movie’s that
truly have a sense of real life history and when they weave fiction around them, it’s all the more entertaining. This film ends up creating a
believable reality for the viewer and is able to build the characters in a
personal way that affects the viewer. This is one of those movies that will
stand the test of time. The best reason this movie works is the characters,
because they are so crafted, that the watcher becomes a part of the actions, drama
and most of all the thick emotional reality on screen.
The whole movie is a worthwhile treat for any lover of films that leave the viewer breathless in how amazing direction and the ultimate acting of perfection can be. Yoji Yamada crafted a film that leaves a perfect image of film mastery.
Audio/Video: (5/5)
Amazing sound and vibrant colors. The images are crisp and the audio is ear candy as you can't help but be in listening heaven with this release. Twilight Time always does such a great job in bringing out top quality products that just shine.
LANGUAGE: Japanese
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.85:1
AUDIO: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English
2002 / Color
129 MINUTES
NOT RATED
REGION FREE
Extras: (2/5)
Great Isolated score. Always a plus to Blu-ray releases by Twilight Time. Loved the little booklet by the amazing Julia Kirgo which is always a plus to these Twilight Time releases. I would have loved some special features to go along with this amazing film but having the film itself thankfully by Twilight Time on Blu-ray is all one really needs.
Isolated Score Track
Trailers
Liner Notes by film Historian Julie Kirgo
Overall Product Review: (5/5)
Another great release of a film. Twilight Time choose a great film for their special edition releases. I really thought they did a spectacular job in giving this brilliant film a proper release.
A priceless thought provoking film that delivers tons of
drama and the beauty of emotional reality. A superb story and an equally superb
direction. Twilight Time released a phenomenal example of a modern day classic
that will forever stand the test of time.
INFO:
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