Review of Aragami (2003) by Robin D — 30 Dec 2007
Aragami is one half of 'The Duel Project' (the other film being 2LDK - see review), the result of a challenge between two famous Japanese directors. In making their films, they had a set of rules to abide:
1. Only a minimal cast.
2. The entirety of the film must take place in one set.
3. The two lead characters must fight to the death.
4. Must be shot in seven days.
Aragami is from the director of Versus - a film that, for me, had potential but never done it for me as a movie. Two badly wounded samurai end up at a temple but only one wakes up alive. The host invites him to spend the night as a heavy storm is overhead but as the night goes on, as a favour for helping the near-death samurai, he asks him to kill him and reveals a few sinister secrets to motivate the samurai into battle. The samurai forms are fantastic to watch and true to the style, and although the battle takes a while to come to, the script is sharp with the interaction between the characters being spot on and the humour played out really well. Watching the helpless and often baffled samurai laughing at the ridiculous scenario he's in is as amusing as the hosts' response to it. Worth checking out if you like swordplay without all the wire-work.
This review of Aragami (2003) was written by Robin D on 30 Dec 2007.
Aragami has generally received positive reviews.
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