This film could have been astounding. As it is, individual scenes are still quite amazing to watch, but overall, this film falls far short of the greatness that it could have been. I'm not sure whether the fault is that of the director or script writer...but what I can say is that the cinematography along with some of the concepts are amazing. This film could have been so much more. The scene in the wheat field (or grass, or whatever it was) speaks to what this film could have been. That scene is involving and original, creating the mood that most of this movie aspires to, and I would say that scene alone is definitely worth the rental. However, unfortunately this movie is more visible for its shortcomings. What is an intriguing and original concept--Bhuddism vs. Christianity, of sorts, with the "resurrection" idea in Christianity allowing for a plot that I haven't scene before...falls short. The filmmakers don't take the play on Christianity that they could have, and the film, after a remarkable opening, wreaks of a PC mentality. Moreover, while individual scenes and the camera work are great, the characters and situations are hard to follow. I want to believe that is my Western sensibility and non-understanding of Japanese history, but this movie seems to me like a lot of Hollywood productions that look very pretty but fall short as far as story and continuity is concerned. It's still worth a watch...but I can't help feeling a deep sense of regret that this movie wasn't as great as it could have been.
Review of Samurai Resurrection
