30th January 2012, 4:25 PM
It's a visually-impressive, deliberately-paced political thriller whose implications and themes are still relevant today. Great soundtrack, as well.
And I happen to think Tsuge is very interesting "villain". His goal wasn't to kill anyone or to take over Japan, but rather to "bring the war home" because he felt like the people in Japan had no comprehension of what things were like on the battlefield even though that fighting was what allowed them to live as they did. Exposing the incompetence of the country's military and political leaders was also probably part of his plan.
But I think what really sells me on it is this scene:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1dmlwhaEEgE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I've watched the movie at least 4 or 5 times, by the way.
And I happen to think Tsuge is very interesting "villain". His goal wasn't to kill anyone or to take over Japan, but rather to "bring the war home" because he felt like the people in Japan had no comprehension of what things were like on the battlefield even though that fighting was what allowed them to live as they did. Exposing the incompetence of the country's military and political leaders was also probably part of his plan.
But I think what really sells me on it is this scene:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1dmlwhaEEgE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I've watched the movie at least 4 or 5 times, by the way.
Sometimes you get the scorpion.