Review of Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011) by Jesse O — 19 Feb 2013

This remake is how you spit in the face of the original. It does nothing new to update it, which I figured they would do with the final fight sequence. Ultimately, the film is undone by the pacing.

It has an interesting beginning. That is, until Motome reveals the big twist that is supposed to be saved until later on. Then we are given about an hour of boring flashback, and we already know the outcome. This if followed by the symbolic ending that doesn't even compare to the original.

Even if one were not to see the original classic 1962 film, this version has ridiculous uneven pacing and undermines the whole nature of the film. Instead of sucking you into the plot by revealing more as the plot leads on, it gives it all up at the beginning and leaves nothing for later.

The actors were decent but that is about it. If you want a good samurai movie, watched Miike's 13 Assassins instead.