Review of The Warrior's Way (2010) by Michael V — 09 Nov 2011

While Sukiyaki Western Django and The Good, The Bad, The Weird took the west east side this does the opposite. The concept in itself sounds cool. Assassins from the east battle against cowboys from the west.

With The Warrior's Way, we get the best of both worlds with very likable characters and some not so likable in a very meant to be way. The setting of the movie is very stylized, and brings you a very romanticized western.

The same can be said about the eastern setting. You can tell that the director loves Sergio Leone and Akira Kurosawa movies. The action doesn't start until later in the film, since it's focused on the life of the assassin as he tries to find peace in a town full of circus folk.

Once the action starts, get ready for a good time, because our hero slices and dices cowboys and ninja alike. With all the gun and swordplay, the true heart of the movie are the characters. The movie's able to fill us in on the main characters' back story and we see why they do what they do.

Kate Bosworth is very sassy, yet sweet and cute. And I've never much cared for her. Nothing against her. Just this is the first time in a movie I've enjoyed her presence. Jang Dong Gun is able to show his humanity subtly even though most of the time he's emotionless.

Danny Huston's character is a nasty one and very fun at the same time. Geoffrey Rush doesn't have a whole lot of screen time but when he's there you know it and it's pure gold. This had to been a blast to make.

Since it never takes itself too serious but never lets it slip into the realm of slapstick retard with it's blend of humor and ultra violence. A wonderful mix of east and west. Spaghetti Anime? Maybe a new genre.