Review of Seven Samurai (1954) by Jhonatan P — 02 Jul 2011

Iâ(TM)ve reviewed this film previously and can reaffirm that the film deserves its exalted place among cinemaâ(TM)s greatest achievements. The film introduces many storytelling techniques to cinema, such as introducing the protagonist via an unrelated caper that showcases their bravery, fighting skill, or sometimes ingenuity and using the rising action of the story to recruit characters for the climatic action sequence. Kurosawa creates several characters that are now archetypes, such as the wise samurai who may not have experienced much success in battle but knows a great deal, the impudent outcast, and the young naive man yearning to join the RÅ?nin as an apprentice. The screenplay also balances gripping action with deadpan humour.

To appreciate the significance of this plot and character development, one needs to understand how badly Hollywood botches the execution of these techniques today. Kurosawaâ(TM)s characters are not paper-thin but nuanced paintings; all of their actions reveal something about the character. These character development moments throughout the epic pull the audience into the film, leaving them excited about a nearing climax involving characters they know. Truly, the remake scheduled for release next year will be a veritable gong show.