Ran [Criterion Voyager,Special Edition]

Chris,

Any discussion of this movie always reminds me of a conversation that I once had with Alison--she hates the movie for the very reasons that you and I love it. (Sigh.)

Eddie

Great review Chris! I picked up the copy yesterday. Hopefully I will watch it over the weekend. I thought you would rate this movie a 9 or a 10.

So Eddie why Alison hates this movie?

--Ranjan

She doesn't like the fact that the movie is primarily composed of master shots. She also feels that the movie is a bit self-important. I think it's a matter of taste rather than of definites. After all, I think that Kurosawa used master shots to great effect, and self-importance--as long as it doesn't veer into pretentiousness--is an indication of self-confidence.

I agree with the self-important part which I mentioned in the review, but then again it boils down to whether you can back it up and AK can clearly walk the walk. AK's use of master shots and his refusal to use close-ups accounts for the cool, detached feel of the movie, but also helps juice up the battle scenes. Getting to see "bodies in motion" and all that good stuff.