Review of Yojimbo (1961) by Kkl10 A — 08 Jun 2014

Yojimbo (1961) - 8,5.

1860, Japan. A small city divided by the ferocious rivalry between two criminal gangs that fight for its control. The arrival of a ronin (a lordless samurai) sets forward a new order of events. Obscure reasons propel the warrior to join the conflict; a seemingly reckless decision that is soon offset by his astuteness and deathly ability with the sword. The nameless man, nicely played by Toshiro Mifune, makes marionettes of both parties of the rivalry in a machination set forward by himself. Power manipulation, swindles and righteous bravery in the face of setbacks culminate in the extinction of both gangs and the final resumption of peace in the city. The hero departs after his duty is fulfilled. Yojimbo is considered a major influence for the following western cinema; this probably explains the déjà vu feeling I experienced at the end of the film - I felt as if I had watched a western where the only thing missing was Clint Eastwood playing the lone wolf. I will say, however, that Yojimbo satisfies me in ways that no spaghetti western has ever matched. A lone vigilante who arrives to clean the city corrupted by criminals; the classic plot is polished to near perfection in this film. Raw and appealing aesthetics, rich and well-acted characters, perfect transitions between comedy, drama, action and suspense as we follow the lone samurai crafting his web. It becomes a natural reaction to sympathize with the hero, and, in the end, I am fully satisfied by the entertaining cinematic experience itself and by the culmination of the events. Moreover, this is another great cinematic example of perfect symbiosis between form and substance; a feat only within reach of great masters like Akira Kurosawa. This is masterful and very well-rounded filmmaking. Fun, thrilling and ultimately awe-inspiring, Yojimbo is excellent entertainment with no distractions. Great movie, highly recommended!