Seven Samurai

⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

I always have a hard time rating both older classics and also international movies because they don't have those modern, western qualities that I judge movies by. Even though this movie introduced several significant archetypes that were followed by the west, it's still no exception to the dilemma. This movie is 3.5 hours long, incredibly slow at times, has what I think most would consider pretty strange acting (so much wailing!), has some obviously poor effects - especially during fights - and doesn't necessarily follow modern values. Despite all that, there is still something irresistible about this movie.

I think a big part of it is the cinematography, with Kurosawa being a pioneer of the industry in ways that still haven't been matched. Despite being black and white, this movie has more life than anything I've seen recently. The characters add a lot, and as the name suggests, you get attached to a whole host of Samurai that are all unique and likeable. The one exception is that rabble rouser who was pretty insufferable from the moment he enters the picture, who also wears a thong the last hour of the movie... But lastly, I think one quality I really loved is how the movie mostly takes place in one setting, so you get attached to the farm they are defending, and it has that rare quality of becoming a character itself.

Hard to know exactly if I would recommend this movie. It's kind of like older literature that feels necessary to read at some point just to understand the historical significance, and so I must recommend it as edification for wannabe movie buffs. I think I can mostly recommend it otherwise too because feudal Japan is simply so charming and attractive and what's better than a movie in that setting that has a lot to say about heroism and honor? 3.5 hours of reading subtitles isn't so bad when you have that backdrop. Just watch out for the guy who wears a thong.