Customer Reviews

Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a beautifully directed movie, by notable director Sogo ISHII. But it is definitely NOT an "action packed epic" as described by Amazon. And the fight scenes are unusually and imaginatively depicted, but they are not "extraordinary" in the usual sense. In short, this is not an action movie nor is it a traditional samurai or martial arts film. It is really a metaphysical fantasy film. "Gojoe" is to samurai films as "Blueberry" is to westerns.

I am annoyed that it is getting poor reviews by people who were expecting some sort of Wu-Tang Baby Cart Master Killer blood and guts actioner. But it's not their fault that this film is incorrectly marketed.

People who will enjoy this movie:
- fans of director Sogo Ishii's slower paced films, e.g. "Angel Dust"
- fans of other foreign cinema especially Japanese cinema, e.g. Rashomon (although I would never claim it is in the same league as such a classic)
- those who like cerebral, beautifully shot films
- people with an interest in Japanese mythology or Shinto, but okay with it addressed on an obviously simplified level

People who are looking for the following should avoid this movie:
- action (though there is some)
- fast pace
- linear story
- everything spelled out and explained
- humor
- romance

The high points of this film include the beautiful imagery, intense slow-burn acting of Daisuke RYU as Benkei, good performances by all the supporting cast, pretty nifty costumes, a really awesome climax.

Oddly enough, I found Tadanobu ASANO, who I usually love, to be only so-so in this film. Maybe it was his bad hair.

The reason I give this film only a 4 is that it really is a bit long. Nonetheless, Media Blasters did do the right thing by including the full international version, instead of the cut version.

The DVD features are great, with both the original Japanese dialogue, nicely done subtitles, an English dub track, and some nice "making of" featurettes.

This is an interesting, unique film but only for the right audience.

i dont understand what there isnt to get about the film or what not to like. the cinamatography is awesome, the storie plot is one of the better, more original ive seen in a while, i dont understand what the problem other people see with its special effects; the blood flow was great and realistic, not computer generated like in the new zatoichi film. i only had one qualm with the film and everything else really makes up for it; some scenes are grainy like they missed something in the editing process, but its nothing i hold against the film greatly. i rented it from blockbuster and have been thinking about buying just so i could add it to my collection. p.s. it's true people with ADD shouldn't be critics

I just watched the movie and thought it is not bad. A little difficult to understand maybe without 40 minutes of scenes which were cut. The guy who wrote that this is not a metaphorical movie is a little clueless. And if you are looking for a "sword flick" don't buy this movie at all. The point of this movie is not fighting. Rather, what is the meaning of being a demon or a man. The main character, Benkei, is indeed a "demon" who tries to redeem himself from violence and becomes a man, but is drawn back to his demonic nature by the prince Shanao, who becomes a demon driven by revenge. The two characters are each one face of the same thing, and mutual destruction is the only possible end to their confrontation. Watch it if you are prepared to give some thought to it but don't expect an action flick or you will be disappointed. And think about that, people who kill and commit cruelty in wars for example, are they humans? Or rather demons in nature?

Gojoe is an amazing action/adventure which still manages to deliver beautiful scenic panoramas, rich and chilling atmospheric suspense and deep multi-dimensional characters to anyone with the attention-span and patience to slowdown long enough to focus and allow themselves to become engaged by a film which has a life below the surface. All ye pond-skimming nay-sayers, I do hereby challenge to go back and force yourselves to sit through two or three of Kurosawa's best films - if you don't know titles, get off your asses and do a little work for your education - try not to be put off by a 'black&white film' and then give Gojoe a proper viewing. If you can't appreciate a film of quality, just because 'waaahhh, it's not as frenetically paced as Grand Theft Auto 7 or has a lower body-count than FACE-OFF' then kindly keep your troglodytic opinions to yourselves and/or possibly find a less demanding hobby than 'actual film appreciation'!

I loved this movie after watching it for the first time today. If the price were not so high, I would buy it (I'm running low).
The story was entrancing, fight scenes amazing, and whatever special effects used were good.
Other reviewers said they didn't like things such as the seashell throwing, and the blood spraying, but what did they expect? The main character was a budhist monk, and in feudal Japan, monks didn't drive their cars to the local shrine to pray everyday. Many monks in feudal Japan probably did similar things.
As to the blood spraying, what good samurai movie doesn't have a little spraying blood. Sure it's a bit graphic, but you see that in many samurai/ninja movies.
And finally, I would like to say that the antagonist and protaganist were both demons. It even explained toward the end of the movie why the protaganist (please excuse me if I've switched my terms) was a demon.
One thing I did not like about this movie was that a few things were left un-explained. Nothing majoryly important, a few things I suspect were put there for you to think and wonder about.
All in all, I think this is a great movie as I said in the title of this review.

I tell you, if you believe in gods and devils, this movie is quite terrifying. Note that this is a play on alot of folk tales about the legendary warrior monk Benkei. Also good if you're easily hypnotized by fire...

I really enjoyed the movie but can understand those who were disappointed. This movie is hard to categorize as it combines historical fiction with sword fights and some fantasty elements. The movie really boils down to the inner struggles and ultimate confrontation by the two charismatic leading actors, Tadanobu Asano (Prince Shanao) and Daisuke Ryu (Benkei).

Gojoe is a rather strange offering and while I find it interesting, I'm still undecided as to what it's supposed to be. It's not a straight telling of the story of the monk Benkei at Gojoe bridge, indeed apart from taking a few characters and locations seems to have very little to do with it. So we know it's not a historical costume drama, then what is it ? The metaphysical element is strange, it's very difficult to judge what view the film is taking, is it one of the real world perceived from the the viewpoint of people who believe in demons and the mystic powers of Buddhism. Or is it a more fantasy oriented scenario where these are literally true and the combatants really are waging psychic war ? Perhaps it's a choice we're allowed to make ourselves, make of it what you will, I don't know the answer. The films pace also jumps to extremes, from blood spurting action shots where somewhat inept samurai are hacked up by the dozen to sections where a confused Benkei gets all angst ridden and meanders off into the wilderness to indulge in much tedious self examination and find himself. Clearly the director is trying to provide something deeper and more spiritual than Baby cart or Azumi but I'm not entirely sure he's succeeded, maybe you need to be a Buddhist to really get it.

As I wrote in the title for, "Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle," this is not a film for everyone. However, I really enjoyed the film. Sometimes [many times] a film does not have to tie all the loose ends to be enjoyed, sometimes just the escapism and pure enjoyment of a film as an entertaining piece of cinema is good enough. And I found the film interesting enough to put in my collection. Plus, I liked the character of Benkei (Daisuke Ryu) as a monk who has put down his sword, yet decides that he must complete one more mission. Benkei was once a famed swordsman, however, it has been years since he has slain anyone. Yet things are about to change: For there is an evil presence at Gojoe Bridge. Who is killing all the samurai? And for that matter, why?

Benkei tries to enlist the help of his former mentor, who warns Benkei that he is not ready for this mission. Further, this monk warns Benkei that he will fail because he has not seen the way. Yeah, I know, sounds like a bunch of silly philosophical mumbo-jumbo, [and maybe it is] but that does not mean the film is not entertaining. At least for me. Moreover, I really liked the character actors in the film too. Plus, the antagonist in the film is portrayed by (Tadanobu Asano), who gives a very good portrayal in his role as a gifted swordsman. Tadanobu Asano is trying to reclaim his place as the rightful heir to the land, and watching his performance makes this film a worthwhile watch. Plus, the cinematography in the film is very good. Although there are spots here and there in the film where the picture is not very clear, they are few and far between. The film itself has great cinematography.

The films narrative takes place in 12th Century Japan, at a place called Gojoe Bridge. Apparently, many members of a warrior clan are being killed by an unknown entity. Benkei, a former warrior has become a Buddhist and refuses to kill anymore, however, he changes his mind and decides to destroy whatever evil is lurking at Gojoe Bridge. Is it human? Or is it something else? I will leave this to the viewer to watch. I can tell you, however, that this movie does not disappoint. It sure did not disappoint me. I thought the cinematography and the acting and action sequences were very good, and the film definitely has an original storyline. I am a huge fan of the Toshirio Mifune and Akira Kurosawa classics. [Not that I am comparing this film to those earlier classics]. I am not. However, I like it when directors come along with something different for a change, and this film is definitely different. And once again, this is not a film for everyone, therefore, rent it first. [Stars: 4.5]

What can you say? No really what *can* you say about Gojoe?

I did understand the plot, rambling and strange as it was, but I doubt the casual viewer would be able to figure it out. I watched the uncut version, it felt a lot longer than it was, and I was still left with the feeling that vital scenes were left out. The best way to put it is that I got it, I get it, it just doesn't make any real sense.

It's sort of a hybrid between a Buddhist version of the Exorcist, a Samurai movie, and a slasher film. It fails at all of them, creating something that tries to be enlightening in among the sprays of blood.

I give it two stars for being occasionally pretty, though even here it can get downright confusing and weird.