Although not as distinguished because it as soon as was, the samurai style stays probably the most influential in cinematic historical past. Whether or not it is Akira Kurosawa’s good Seven Samurai being remade as The Magnificent Seven in America, or the Star Wars franchise embracing a few of its influences with the unbelievable “The Duel” episode in Visions, its affect remains to be felt at present. As such, when a film like 11 Rebels comes alongside, it isn’t solely a deal with to see the style return, however doing so with a mixture of basic and fashionable filmmaking strategies.
Loosely primarily based on actual occasions, 11 Rebels is about in the course of the top of the Boshin Battle in 1868 and sees the Shibata Clan providing 10 convicts the chance of redemption in change for defending a fortress towards an encroaching military with their sights set on destroying their houses. Nevertheless, once they be taught the federal government officers by no means meant to meet their promise, the group is pressured to confront whether or not to proceed their struggle or activate the identical individuals who turned on them.
11 Rebels’ Plot Is A Largely Efficient Combine Of Acquainted Components
Seven Samurai & Suicide Squad Comparisons Are Inevitable, However It is No Knock-Off
With its plot basically specializing in a bunch of reluctant antiheroes, very like Suicide Squad or the aforementioned Seven Samurai, 11 Rebels is certain to get comparisons to quite a lot of different tales. However the place writers Kasahara Kazuo and Ikegami Junya excel with the movie is the way in which they embrace this whereas delivering a couple of of their very own distinctive twists. A method through which the film instantly hooked me was the introduction of its de facto group chief, Takayuki Yamada’s Masa, as he murders the samurai who sexually assaulted his geisha spouse.
The place 11 Rebels proves each intriguing and considerably disappointing is within the film’s bigger political plot, including in layers of wider scheming and betrayals in its wartime setting.
Not solely does it provide us a sympathetic outlook on the character, nevertheless it opens our minds to embracing different characters who be part of him as a part of the insurgent group. Hayate Ichinose’s Nimaine proves to be way over simply the good-looking face everybody pokes enjoyable of as soon as the motion kicks off, whereas Riho Sayashi’s Natsu provides a properly empathetic presence to the combo. Natsu additionally acts as an unlucky reminder of innocents who’re caught up in conflict after false accusations, and Takara Sakumoto’s Noro is introduced as greater than only a stereotype of a mentally disabled character.
The place 11 Rebels proves each intriguing and considerably disappointing is within the film’s bigger political plot, including in layers of wider scheming and betrayals in its wartime setting. With the film being two hours lengthy, there was sufficient actual property to suit this subplot in, however I could not assist however be a bit of overwhelmed by how a lot element there was to this ingredient. I additionally felt prefer it distracted from the underdog characters and took away potential growth by means of them.
11 Rebels’ Motion Completely Steals The Present
A Combine Of Traditional Swordplay With Explosive Trendy Results Retains The Movie Shifting
Regardless of its few narrative foibles, 11 Rebels finally shines in its motion scenes. Director Kazuya Shiraishi, well-known for his work on the likes of each The Blood of Wolves and Kamen Rider Black Solar, isn’t any stranger to interval settings, having simply come off of 2024’s samurai drama Bushido. He brings a pleasant fashionable sensibility to the way in which he approaches his productions, whilst he stays true to the style’s previous.
One of many issues that instantly caught my consideration was simply how sensible the film felt with its depiction of Edo-period Japan, with out wanting low cost. Each location feels appropriately grand and lived-in, significantly the Port of Niigata, whereas additionally being shot with a classy eye to make them each genuine and welcoming. Plus, whereas Shogun did a equally marvelous job with its manufacturing, Shiraishi properly minimizes utilizing any CGI for its areas or motion, because the miniseries did for sure sequences.
The motion itself is the place 11 Rebels‘ combine of contemporary and basic filmmaking actually shines and had me gripped. The swordplay between characters is properly fast-paced with out being too cartoonish, the digicam principally strikes by means of the motion in a pleasant clean style that permits the choreography to face out, and each slice, stab, and decapitation is appropriately ugly. The usage of explosions can be a pleasant addition to the film’s motion. It is used sparingly sufficient to maintain the stakes excessive, however is surprisingly sensible with even a few of its largest harmful blasts.
The Solid Is Nice, However Two Standouts Dominate The Display
Riho Sayashi & Takara Sakumoto Additionally Flip In Strong Supporting Turns
Because it’s centered on a bunch of misfits, 11 Rebels wanted a forged who might make its central characters price rooting for, and the ensemble within the movie definitely pulled off the duty. Takayuki Yamada properly captures the battle in Masa between being prepared to simply accept his dying, eager to do no matter it takes to get house to his spouse, and recognizing the proper factor to do. Riho Sayashi additionally brings the suitable quantity of coronary heart to Natsu as she cares for Noro and Masa amid the heated battle, whereas Takara Sakumoto additionally properly provides a coronary heart to Noro with out making him really feel incompetent.
Nevertheless, the place I finally discovered myself blown away was by Masa’s wronged spouse, Sada. Even with restricted screentime, the sheer quantity of ardour and heartbreak the actress dropped at the position additional imbued me with the will to root for Masa’s efforts to get house, whereas the film’s ending additionally shocked me with a reveal that, very like Noro, made her really feel all of the extra compelling and succesful than she initially appeared. Whereas a part of me needs the film supplied extra of her and Masa’s relationship, 11 Rebels‘ fashionable motion and solidly paced story greater than makes up for it.
11 Rebels hits digital platforms, 4K Extremely-HD, Blu-ray and DVD on June 10.
11 Rebels
8/10
- Launch Date
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October 28, 2024
- Runtime
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155 minutes
- Director
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Kazuya Shiraishi
- Writers
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Junya Ikegami
- Producers
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Muneyuki Kii
Solid
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Taiga Nakano
Washio Heishirō