This review may contain spoilers.
Loved it. Scattered thoughts follow.
- I was worried about keeping up with all the characters but found it pretty easy. Each one is very clearly and uniquely characterized and has their own individual arcs.
- Very satisfying watching the samurai plan and execute. Like a heist film but for village defense.
- The way the daisies shook while Katsushiro watched that first sword fight with the bandits was a perfect way to make the tension palpable.
- Wasn’t completely satisfied with the way Shino is treated. Obviously Manzo isn’t cast in the greatest light. His “damaged goods” line would either not be present in a modern rendition, or he would have been strongly rebuked by the samurai. Instead it’s sort of left unspoken, and it seems Shino might never recover from the shame. A smaller tragedy in the grander tragedy this movie tells.
- Teared up when Kikuchiyo was holding the village orphan. He went from my least favorite character to top three at least by the end of the film. Now That’s What I Call Character Redemption®︎.
- Even in small village skirmishes, war is hell.
