47 Ronin (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)

Sleeve: Love image choice. The holographic affect of the sleeve is really cool. Weapons appear to pop out & move independently to the characters. Colors are vibrant. CD case: transparent blue plastic, slim case, well constructed. Amazing how they got all 3 discs to fit so well in such a slender case. The bluray 3D & Bluray discs on one flap, and the DVD on the back of that. All easy to remove but very secure (don't fall out). Discs Printed image: both the 3D bluray & the bluray discs are sliver with light blue print on it. The DVD disc is printed solid black with the text showing the silver color of the disc through it. No photo images on any of the disc, though. Just text of 47 Ronin and what type of disc it is. Insert: There is a sheet of shiny paper with the instructions of how to download/use the Digital HD version of the move in "3 Easy Steps" You are instructed to go to the website link and enter the CODE printed in step 2. On Technical & Visuals of this film: I saw this movie in theaters in 3D and in 2D. This movie was stunning to watch, & the soundtrack stood out and is hard to get out of your heart/mind. I think I will have to get the soundtrack cd too. I loved the beauty of where it was filmed, the sets, the digital recreations of the countryside, the costumes, makeup. It is very apparent to me that the people that were in this film, put a lot of effort into it, and really tried to respect the culture, but also wanted to make it open to be shared with the world, in this fantastical version of the story of the 47 Ronin. I just want to not that if you are looking for an exact recreation of the true accounts of the 47 Ronin, then this is not what you will see, because it was not intended to do this. The Director and the wonderful Japanese cast wanted to bring this version so they could bring some of the beauty of the culture to the world, and respect the original story by not claiming to imply that this was exactly the way it happened. FIRST OFF I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT BIG PROPS TO THE JAPANESE CAST TO HAVE TO SAY THEIR LINES IN ENGLISH a language that they are not fluent in. Although I think they did a great job, under the circumstances.....I think they should have done it in Japanese with English subtitles. NOTE They did film it both in Japanese and English, but this disc set does not have it in spoken Japanese. So I have to be honest that I also bought the Japanese Bluray to watch it in spoken Japanese, too. But that is just my preference. I still enjoy it in English, too. On the Stars of the movie - In the order of who plays in it and their importance in the film: Hiroyuki Sanada is the main focus on the film and does an excellent job at playing Oishi. He really has a way to show emotion in his facial expressions, and his voice too, is very expressive. He shows both his soft side, anger, toughness. His fighting skills are exceptional. His years of training from when he was a young man have paid off, and was a valued resource in the making of the film, including spending time with Keanu Reeves to perfect his sword (Kantana) moves. They have since gained a friendship and respect for what Keanu has done in working so hard on it. Keanu Reeves - plays Kai - I have to start with, Keanu was very impressive with this sword skills and fighting scenes. If you don't appreciate it, you have never taken classes on how difficult it is to use a katana. I have and it hurts like heck to get good at it. Keanu Reeves plays a very humble, reserved, who was taken in by Lord Asano to live in his land, after he fled from Demon monks who raised him from infancy, and taught him some ways to use special powers /fighting skills, after he was abandoned by his English sailor father & left there by Japanese mother (or so he was told by the Demon monk leader). Although many critic say Keanu showed no emotion, I feel that it fit his roll. Keanu played Kai like he did to show his respect for Asano and his samurai, as well as for his forbidden love, princess Mika (played by the gorgeous singer/actress Ko Shibasaki) . I would have loved to see more of Kai & Princess Mika being more romantic with each other but I know that that would not make sense with respecting the fact that they could not ever be together, because if status issues. It is just the romantic in me that would love that. Part of me would have loved if the "deleted scenes" were not cut. I think they would have been better if they weren't cut. Tatanobu Asano - Lord Kira - Pure power hungry evil evil man...OMG! He also did a great job in making you hate him. Great actor, makes you believe him. Awesome! He is also really great in fighting scenes as well as the scenes he is in. Interactions with the witch, the way he torments the princess & confrontation with Oishi were really good. Rinko Kikuchi - She looked so awesome as the evil, heartless sexy witch. Excellent job IMO. Made it easy to be creepy, & hate her as well. She is crucial to this movie. I loved her in past films she has been in and a great addition to this wonder Japanese cast members. Jin Akanishi -played Chikara (son of Oishi) - He is a popular singer in Japan, but I really loved his acting skills. He is very attractive young man with many fans in his music and acting career. I think I would love to see more of his films, now. Jin was great in his scenes and did well in both action and emotional ones. Ko Shibasaki - the beautiful Princess Mika that is in love with Kai but knows they are never to be together in this lifetime- I enjoyed her portrayal of her. I wish they did not cut he deleted scenes, either. They could have at least kept the one with Lord Kira an the child playing shamise (Japanese guitar). Some criticized her for not being more powerful but I saw the character as being strong. She kept strong to all the terrible things done against those she cared for, and fought back when she could. Min Tanaka - Lord Asano (leader of Ako) I thought he played this part very well. I could go on about more of the cast but these stuck out in my mind as affecting me.

Great movie

Keanu is awesome. The movie looks great in 4k., Sounds amazing. The story is great, action, forbidden love, renewal, the good guys eventually win anyway. Even your wife will like it! Be sure to watch the special features.

What I expected

I did not know the story of the 47 Ronin and looked it up to read more about after finishing the movie. While the movie had a fantasy element, the core of the story was based on true events and is a truly remarkable story of courage and loyalty. The story was very well told, from beginning to end, although I will admit I wish it would have ended a little differently. If it had, though, it would have detracted from the beautiful story of loyalty, courage, and grace. There is an element of fantasy to the story that was beautifully handled and helped move the plot along without being unrealistic and it added to the over all plot line. The fighting sequences were beautifully choreographed and we're almost dance like in nature. It was apparent that the actors had trained extensively for their roles and all of their hard work paid off. It is a beautiful example of the richness and beauty found in other cultures and other times. When the movie ended I was left with a yearning to learn more about the 47 Ronin, and I'm so happy I took the time and effort to do the research. It is a remarkable story, and a beautifully made movie.

Live it and affordable

This is an amazing movie to watch, despite what critics say. I love the plot, and the upgrade to the 4k edition with DTS X is a sight and sound to behold. There does seem to be one problem with the 4k movie on the technology side. When it first starts to play, it creates a very loud buzzing noise on my 4k player that goes away after 3 to 4 minutes into the movie and doesn't return. Not one of my other 4k movies do this. I returned one copy, thinking it was a flaw in the disc, but the exact same thing happened on the second copy I just received. Good thing it only last for a few minutes, but it should not happen at all.

Great Movie.

I chose to review this film as it is highly under rated. I rarely comment on anything I buy from Amazon but felt this film deserved it. From what I have read of these reviews, it seems if you compare this film to the original tale, (which i have not read in book media, and was not aware of the 47 Ronin story until now), then you perhaps have different expectations of what the film SHOULD be like. If you haven't that background, and you watch it with an open view, as a Ronin/Samurai Warrior style film, then you will love it0 as the story is really good, and how it is produced is excellent. I wanted to go to bed, but I found gripped to what was going to transpire next; which way was the coin going to fall, as with this film, there was no compassion for what you wanted to happen; it was typical roar japanese Sepuku - nobility to die like a warrior (*and happy about it!!), (she says with tears down her face but admiration for their beliefs); better because there are no subtitles, its all in English; no silly wires for stunts and trickery, just based on a really good traditional tale, loads of effects and some CGI, all top quality; The goodies (keanu with a magical mystical gift taught when he was a boy); the baddy (a very good baddy- Actor from Battleship Asano Tadanobu); and a yearning desire for justice to be done over the wicked devlish tricks of a liar and a cheat, and his witch! If I was to pick a part that didnt play how i wanted it, it would be the death of the 7ft tall Samuri fighting warrior- Very stunning presence and size but it would have been great to see keanu Fight this guy a second time, with is newly found fighting skills- Buts that me! Like to see a great fight and the goody win- :) Brilliant film. Full of surprise. You will not be disappointed... go buy it!!

Un film splendido, da vedere. Il pacco è arrivato il giorno stabilito in perfette condizioni. Super soddisfatta.

Another prompt delivery and great end product!

47 Ronin aura souffert de sa date de sortie aux USA. Passé inaperçu en France, ce film est cependant une aventure magnifiquement réalisée. Basé sur une légende japonaise et les codes samouraïs, ce récit mêle magistralement images de synthèse et prises de vue réelles, le tout avec une lumière à couper le souffle. Je l'ai vu déjà 4 fois et ne m'en lasse pas, à chaque fois de nouveaux détails se dévoilent. Pour les admirateurs de Keanu Reeves, il est à tomber dans ce film et son jeu est d'une grande justesse et tous les autres acteurs sont excellents également. Pour tous les autres, la trame principale est avant tout une histoire d'honneur & de vengeance dans le japon féodal, avec une touche de romantisme, qui passe totalement au 2nd plan.

Una gran película con excelente definición .