​With several parts of the story baring a misplaced emphasis and I might also add; the whole fantasy element, I wonder if all the harsh criticism for 47 Ronin came about from people who were expecting a more true rendition of the legendary story. Or perhaps we all hoped and expected a celluloid experience more comparable to 13 Assassins or even The Last Samurai? The latter film also having the similarity of a US protagonist to follow, also for no real reason, but still delivering much enjoyment and authenticity.

In the case of 47s producers, it seems that they decided to embark on a route where they have had to utilise the star power of the lead (that would be Keanu) to get bums on seats, for what would probably be labelled a foreign movie, if he wasn't in it. And of course the movie falls into that mode where the western lead is used to 'explain' anything too Japanese for the culturally daft.

As for the fantasy element, I can't help thinking that it was an after-thought, which came about as a way of reminding us of Keanu’s fantasy ties via The Matrix and we all loved The Matrix right...well the first one – so we’d all definitely come see him in this. It is a total shame, in the case of 47 Ronin, as it could have been a really good film, but for a number of things that the producers should have made their minds up about, during the first re-write of the script.

"As for the fantasy element, I can't help thinking that it was an after-thought..."

One, either go all fantasy or don't at all. The film with some minor tweaks could have worked much better without it. But from beginning to end I didn't see the point of the supernatural element.

Two, once a particular plot point has been spelt out you don't have to continually ring that bell throughout the whole movie; honour, half-breed...we get it!

Three, The feudal era was not a soft period, if you want to make a PG film that shows seppuku and the harshness of that era find more inventive ways than having your actors pull constipated, grimacing faces at the moment of blade stabbing flesh.

Four, A 15 certificate would have been a much better rating for this movie. If a script doesn't allow actors to give subtle nuances in their performance, then hell - you just need to show what happens. If you want to see this type of film done right, watch Ninja Scroll.

Good points, the sword fights, the special effects, but ultimately the film is unfulfilling and half conceived.

Rating 5/10

When it comes to the world of action, this
 director has been copied but never surpassed...