47 Ronin
Universal Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2013
6.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 439 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
229
Mixed:
130
Negative:
80
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
samalematinaJan 20, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and cannot understand the criticsreviews. It was definitely a fun ride thought the Japanese culture, amazing costumes and landscapes. The action sequences were well done and better than most. There was a feel ofI thoroughly enjoyed the movie and cannot understand the criticsreviews. It was definitely a fun ride thought the Japanese culture, amazing costumes and landscapes. The action sequences were well done and better than most. There was a feel of high end production on set designs which added to the experience. Definitely one to put on your watch list. Enjoy it for what it is. thumbs up.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
2
Leiland82Mar 18, 2014
What a train wreck! An interesting idea turned itself into a 175 million dollar mess of a movie, with a terrible script, uneven pacing, baffling editing and ridiculously bad CGI. AND it's sooooooo boring.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
komarhomesterFeb 1, 2014
why so many bad films are in theater? Have anyone a taste of good film??? I hope some time answer will be known.
Genres:
Action - have saw some fights , Adventure - they travel little bit Drama - white guy love Japanese; Fantasy - a lotwhy so many bad films are in theater? Have anyone a taste of good film??? I hope some time answer will be known.
Genres:
Action - have saw some fights , Adventure - they travel little bit
Drama - white guy love Japanese;
Fantasy - a lot of it! some dragons, witches and other strange staff
maybe in separate parts it would be good, but together that make one of the most boring film which was produces last month.
That is film which will waist your time anytime you would like to see it. With company of friends or girlfriend(s), anyway - waist your time… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
1
Christian0205Mar 30, 2014
Nothing. No dialogues, no acting, no visual effects, no story. Why they speak english? Reeves´ lack of skills does nothing to improve it. A shame and waste of time
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
LucasRRibeiroFeb 3, 2014
I cannot believe the low scores this film has been getting. The plot is good, the theme is well stabilished and explored through the movie and the ending was great. They do not take the easy way out with the script. The visual effects areI cannot believe the low scores this film has been getting. The plot is good, the theme is well stabilished and explored through the movie and the ending was great. They do not take the easy way out with the script. The visual effects are sometimes cheesy but most of the time they are pretty cool and are not overdone.

The creature design is great! (the beast, the tengu and the dragon are excepcional) Only the Kitsune Fox 3D model was kind of wonky. Some good enough acting from most of the cast. Keanu reeves acting is decent in the initial parts of the movie, when he was more of a subservient character. His performance is kind of bland, but it make sense with the role he is playing.

I would like them to have made a better job with the wardrobe, it was too inconsistent, going from over the top to very bland.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
3
MKSauceLOLFeb 3, 2014
47 Ronin isn't bad it's just disappointing
Cons-it's basically a snooze-fest, pathetic pacing, scenes are pointless, sloppy acting, bad casting decisions, bad dialogue
Pros-Simple Premise
Recommendation-People who want to go to sleep
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
daretobemarkFeb 5, 2014
This movie is perfect just to watch, no thinking, just enjoying. The plot is silly and the effects can be a bit dodgy at times which would be why critics have panned it, but on the whole I really enjoyed it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
MawnUFeb 12, 2014
Well, I understand that many aspects were made up just for the movie. Also, I understand it departed from the original events considerably... going as far as to introduce supernatural events. But I have to admit, I liked it. It all seemed toWell, I understand that many aspects were made up just for the movie. Also, I understand it departed from the original events considerably... going as far as to introduce supernatural events. But I have to admit, I liked it. It all seemed to tie nicely together and the pace was good. Actors were up to the task and last but most certainly not least... the soundtrack was phenomenal!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
MagicManRAWJun 30, 2014
The trailers made this film look like something it was not. Totally misleading and that is why I did not see it. I rented it from Redbox and I did not like it. It is a decent film for some elements concerning the history and tradition ofThe trailers made this film look like something it was not. Totally misleading and that is why I did not see it. I rented it from Redbox and I did not like it. It is a decent film for some elements concerning the history and tradition of the story, but largely a mess of a film and Mr Reeves should retire and I like the man. Bad marketing killed this movie, but the movie was still bad… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
atreestumpMar 20, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie was, by far, the most accurate samurai movie I have ever seen. Allow me to explain myself...

The story, never has a dull moment, every scene, every line of dialogue serves a purpose. Each leading to the next scene.. It is a constant adventure.. Leading to an amazing action sequence at the end.

As a current Film student, I have come to realize the Artistic side of film, and using Cinematic Grammar as a way to tell the story. The Shogun is always dressed in Gold/Yellow. Both are synonymous with Royalty. Kira (A cool play on words for "Killer" also used in Death Note) Is always garbed in Purple. A color which is synonymous with Cruelty, Mysteriousness, and Arrogance. And all the Ronin in Ako are cloaked in Red. A symbol of Rage, and Passion and Strength.. Notice (If you have seen the movie) Each color corresponds with the character's "Role" in the movie. To Me... BRILLIANT, and Poetry in Motion. At the End, the way Oishi's red clashes with Kira's Purple... absolutely beautiful.

47 Ronin Portrayed the Samurai, and life in Japan at the time, like nothing I have ever seen. Yes, no blood, this wasn't supposed to be a gore-fest it didn't need the gore, which (imho) would have taken away from the story. Obviously, there was no Magic, or Witchcraft in that time, but then again, this is an adaptation of the story. They're not trying to match the story bit for bit. The use of magic, and fantasy aspects were not overdone, the story, in no way; relied on the "Cheesy CGI" to be great. It uses the Magic/Witchcraft to enhance the story, and make it more compelling to those who aren't familiar with the story.

Oishi's acting was spot on, and the red he wears at the end, mixed with Kira's purple was pure poetry.

Keanu's acting is to be expected, I can't deny that. But, to me, it works for this role. The Samurai treated him the way they would have in that time, like a dog. He was an outsider, but his knowledge was useful to them so they kept him around. That is supported by the beginning of the movie, when they hunt the Chimera.

And the ending... What was everyone expecting? A big happy ending where they all live their lives out in peace and all that boring sh*t? They blatantly disobeyed the Shogun, they were lucky they weren't slaughtered like cattle on sight

I'm watching it for the 3rd time today and I'm enjoying it just as much as I did the first time I saw it. .… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
MobiayubMar 22, 2014
I honestly loved this movie, the fact that critics are panning it the way they are confuses me greatly I would recommend this to everyone. The story is beautiful and the execution is excellent although a little bit of work is required hereI honestly loved this movie, the fact that critics are panning it the way they are confuses me greatly I would recommend this to everyone. The story is beautiful and the execution is excellent although a little bit of work is required here and there, it definitely doesn't deserve the bad reviews. Just ignore the critics and give it a shot you won't regret it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
MaxPayneIsGodJun 1, 2021
Yeah, it has its glaring faults but its not that bad.
I could have been a lot better, after doing a bit of research you can see why and how it ended up as it did
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
4
NotoriousFraudDec 6, 2014
Before Keanu Reeves starred in this years amazing 'John Wick' he was in last years lackluster bomb '47 Ronin'. The movie is boring just plain boring, the acting and story are definitely not any better. The CGI is almost like watching a syfyBefore Keanu Reeves starred in this years amazing 'John Wick' he was in last years lackluster bomb '47 Ronin'. The movie is boring just plain boring, the acting and story are definitely not any better. The CGI is almost like watching a syfy channel movie but only slightly SLIGHTLY better, the acting from Keanu is extremely wooden even for him and the Japanese cast is given nothing to do with the script they are given. The script, first penned by the writer of the last 3 films in the 'Fast and Furious' Chris Morgan and co-wriiten with the executive producer for 'The Conjuring' Walter Hamada then re-written by 'Drive' writer Hossein Amini. You would think after all those revisions it would be at least an enjoyable messy adventure fantasy retelling of the legendary story of the real 47 Ronin, But your wrong. It's a terribly paced, no thrills, bore fest that is about 2 hours too long. I DO NOT recommend seeing this unless your extremely high or drunk.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
2
juank87Aug 15, 2014
the direction of the story was bad handled, I really expect a movie with more than a couple fights without plot. the only thing what the people think the was good was because keanu reeves but unfortunately it wasn't enough
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
BigZAug 29, 2014
I am a sucker for a good action flick and that's what originally caught my eye with 47 Ronin. It had sword fighting, evil monsters, Keanu Reeves, and attractive women, what else do I need to know to at least give it a try? I think in a fewI am a sucker for a good action flick and that's what originally caught my eye with 47 Ronin. It had sword fighting, evil monsters, Keanu Reeves, and attractive women, what else do I need to know to at least give it a try? I think in a few ways it falls short of a big epic mainstream movie as far as graphics and overall grandeur but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Its often difficult to assimilate Japanese cinema into American cinema. The general ideals and cultures tend to clash a bit and that will effect what is shown on film and how its presented but they found a comfy medium. There was enough conflict and flash to entertain a diverse audience. Its no Last Samurai but it has its strengths and it makes you want to root for the underdog. But the ending is just beyond me, I mean that's where Japanese culture takes over. I just don't understand why that was necessary. But, overall it was a good movie with noble morals.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
0
TheRealRoninMar 22, 2015
This has to be the highest budget version of the greatest story in Japanese history! That along with Hachiko the story of the loyal dog where Richard Gere manages to ruin that movie also.

The movie is unrealistic, the story is diluted withThis has to be the highest budget version of the greatest story in Japanese history! That along with Hachiko the story of the loyal dog where Richard Gere manages to ruin that movie also.

The movie is unrealistic, the story is diluted with fairy tale magic, and what surprises me is that they take a perfectly good story and ruined it.

Why is there Keanu Reeves in the movie at all? A half breed samurai in feudal Japan? I don't think so.
Furthermore Hollywood once again managed to take a classic and destroy the hell out of it. It seems to be a case of box office and money making are the driving factors......

A poor movie which I expected to deliver much more, as a historian on Japan - this movie was disgraceful.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
PeterAlexanderJun 10, 2015
Whilst the story of 47 Ronin demonstrates potential throughout, the film fails to deliver on the most part. Whilst the film encourages the viewer with an exciting start and a potentially thrilling narrative arc, it loses itself in pursuingWhilst the story of 47 Ronin demonstrates potential throughout, the film fails to deliver on the most part. Whilst the film encourages the viewer with an exciting start and a potentially thrilling narrative arc, it loses itself in pursuing insignificant plot points and an overwhelming unnecessary presence of fantastical themes. The story of the 47 Ronin is undoubtedly interesting and could perhaps do with a reboot in time, only with less nonsensical magic and more realism.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
4
nahtan1244May 8, 2016
Like many people I am also shocked at how low this movie is being rated. Sometimes I wonder what is going on in those critics heads. . First off Every single character that was not lord asano, Kai, or mizuki that is the witch was reallyLike many people I am also shocked at how low this movie is being rated. Sometimes I wonder what is going on in those critics heads. . First off Every single character that was not lord asano, Kai, or mizuki that is the witch was really good. You see keanu reeves lord asano and the witch all have something in common. It seems like they could care less. I didn't have a satisfying feeling when either of the villains died because they were not evil enough. The idea of a half breed was interesting but his character did not have enough good backstory to make us care about him. It didn't help keanu reeves's deadpan emotionless acting he brought to the role either. This movie succeeds in incredible cinematography, a compelling story and fantastic and exciting action sequences this defiantly was a lot better than what the critics were making it out to be. It just could have been better if the half breed character was out of the picture and we had more evil villains played by better actors would have made this story about honor friendship and love all the better.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
VadertimeAug 26, 2020
So, I've been meaning to catch this movie for a long time even though critics and the audience lambasted this movie. I finally got my DVD the other day and I watched it last night. It's not a great movie, not like the Seven Samurai, but it'sSo, I've been meaning to catch this movie for a long time even though critics and the audience lambasted this movie. I finally got my DVD the other day and I watched it last night. It's not a great movie, not like the Seven Samurai, but it's also not a terrible movie. It is a highly entertaining movie with no deep messages or ideas. If it entertains then at the end of the day it has done it's job. Go enjoy.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
4
TheFilmDoctorMar 22, 2016
In Japan, the story of the 47 ronin is so central to the country’s national identity that a special word exists for the act of retelling it: Chushingura. But despite this long tradition of flexible reinterpretation, the Hollywood-backed “47In Japan, the story of the 47 ronin is so central to the country’s national identity that a special word exists for the act of retelling it: Chushingura. But despite this long tradition of flexible reinterpretation, the Hollywood-backed “47 Ronin” takes such liberties with the underlying legend that a different term comes to mind, one better suited to American actor Keanu Reeves’ involvement: “bogus.” So far, Japanese audiences have been slow to embrace a CG-heavy version of the story that offers Keanu as a previously unsung “half-breed” accomplice. Meanwhile, domestic crowds are being deliberately misled to think he’s the star — a high-stakes bait-and-switch sure to backfire on this narratively stiff but compositionally dazzling production when it opens Dec. 25 in the U.S.

In theory, director Carl Rinsch’s considerable visual talents should have been the draw, with the expectation that the first-time director would deliver on the promise of his dazzling short film “The Gift.” Sure enough, in his hands, “47 Ronin” rivals the epic martial-arts films of Tsui Hark or Zhang Yimou in terms of sheer spectacle, bringing a dark, almost gothic feel to the Eastern environments: The look suggests “Hero” as crossed with Tim Burton, or perhaps a fresh, image-driven auteur to pick up where Tarsem has stumbled.

But as the budget crept ever skyward, reportedly reaching as high as $225 million, Universal’s marketing department shifted into panic mode, opting to disguise the fact that the true heroes of this epic Japanese legend were themselves Japanese, and positioning Reeves’ character — described as the shameful “love of one night” between an English sailor and a local peasant girl — as a superficial ploy to attract international crowds.

And so, the actual star of the film, the great Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada (recently afforded widespread exposure alongside Hugh Jackman in “The Wolverine”), is entirely absent from U.S. posters. The public is thus encouraged to consider this most fundamental of Japanese stories from the point of view of a side character, whose presence introduces a fresh theme of racial tolerance along with the more classical aspects of self-sacrifice and honor.

Like all Chushingura, “47 Ronin” recounts the tragic Ako incident (spoilers ahead), during which Lord Asano (Min Tanaka) was forced to commit seppuku after illegally striking an unarmed royal guest, leaving the 47 samurai who had been under his command without a master. After more than a year adrift, these ronin (as disgraced samurai are known) returned, staging a daring night raid in which they took their revenge, vindicated their master and were ultimately forced to sacrifice their own lives in punishment.

Sanada plays Oishi, leader of the desperate group of ronin, who turns to mysterious stranger Kai (Reeves) for help when planning his coup. With three writers credited (Chris Morgan and Walter Hamada for story, “Drive” scribe Hossein Amini and Morgan for the script itself), the project resists easy reverse-engineering, though given Reeves’ international profile, it’s no surprise that he was given the film’s romantic subplot. Kai’s love is star-crossed for multiple reasons — not least of which that nearly all the male leads end up dead, either in battle or by ritual suicide — though it doesn’t help matters that the object of his affection is Asano’s daughter, Mika (an unremarkable Kou Shibasaki), already promised to Oishi.

Perhaps it is this connection that inspires Kai, whose lowly class separates him from the esteemed samurai, to repeatedly risk his life for Asano’s honor. Though Rinsch shows no great strength in working with actors, he can build a setpiece on par with those of directors decades more experienced, and long before Asano has been given the chance to publicly disembowel himself (an act that, like so much of the bloodletting, is “tastefully” left offscreen), Kai has already slain a rampaging CG monstrosity and faced off against a 10-foot silver-armored samurai.

That said, while “47 Ronin” may have cost a fortune, at least the money found its way up on the screen. Though the film teeters on the verge of bad-movie damnation (it’s confusing without quite being inscrutable, and arch without succumbing to camp), it redeems its existence by supplying dozens of striking original compositions, especially during the climactic night raid, timed to coincide with Mika’s wedding to the man (Tadanobu Asano) responsible for her father’s death.

Still, there’s something undeniably old-fashioned about the entire experience — like the matte-painted fantasy-scapes of early sound cinema. Even though nearly all the scenes take place outdoors, there’s the closed-in feel of actors performing against greenscreens, to the extent that even group shots of the 47 ronin tend to feature no more than five or six of them together at once.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
skaz001Mar 1, 2019
It's a well done, albeit with fantasy elements, retelling of the famous Japanese story of the 47 Ronin. I thought that Reeves and Hiroyuki Sanada were excellent. On the other hand, the two main antagonists were played poorly.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
JonasB7Jul 30, 2022
idk why this is rated so badly but i got the feels at the end. good emotion, determination and pretty good cgi for its time if you ask me. epic stuff if you ask me, idk about those critics but they are hella wrong
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
DolphinReviewsJul 21, 2022
It’s a enjoyable but ultimately mediocre movie. Some fun to be had but nothing crazy.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
ChemikerNov 2, 2022
Неплохой фильм про былину "47 ронинов" правда есть свои плюсы и минусы,
+игра актеров мне понравилась
+- много чего объясняли(откуда ривз в фильме про японию) но кто такие эти лесные тенгу(как по мне какие инопланетяне из xcom), и т.д.Неплохой фильм про былину "47 ронинов" правда есть свои плюсы и минусы,
+игра актеров мне понравилась
+- много чего объясняли(откуда ривз в фильме про японию) но кто такие эти лесные тенгу(как по мне какие инопланетяне из xcom), и т.д.
+-Фэнтези вставки, смотрится хорошо приятно, да я бы сказал с этим интереснее смотрелось, но со стороны финансов скажу, фильм еле окупился из-за таких красот(
-Как по мне можно было обойтись и без ривза(опять же сэкономили бы)
+Красивые просторы и виды японии, я просто даже не знаю где я еще такие видел, как я и сказал выше с картинкой в этом фильме все ок
+со своей главной задачей фильм справился, рассказывая былину интересно и красочно
+конец, меня прям растрогал, и это на самом деле так было, одного пощадили, интересно эх жаль их(ронинов)
На один раз, можно, но из-за красот японии посмотрю еще когда нить)… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
next
Page:
More From This Movie

28 Critic Reviews

6.2 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 71 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL