11 no Zokugun

There is nothing that compares to a good Samurai movie in the genre of historical actions films when done well. 11 Rebels, the newest Japanese release from Well Go USA is a really good and watchable Samurai action film.

The film is set in 1868, as the era of the Japanese Samurai is coming to an end, and Japan's political landscape is changing. The film is based upon true events, although, certainly, fictionalized for the screen.

The film's main premise surrounds a deal made to a group of convicted men to defend their feudal town in order to win their freedom. While this is the main storyline, there are numbers of smaller, personal stories that are woven into the film, using the plethora of characters as instruments to tell those stories. Those stories are as personal as the revenge of a man for the rape of his wife by a Samurai to a the preservation of the dying breed of the Samurai itself. These interwoven stories help elevate the film from a good action film to a good movie, that transcends the genre.

This film covers the same period as Tom Cruise's The Last Samurai, albeit from a different perspective. It also pays homage to the work of Akira Kurosawa, having many of the elements of his classic film, The Seven Samurai, later remade by Hollywood as the highly successful, The Magnificent Seven. While the film doesn't have the depth or complexity of a Kurosawa film (not many do), the use of multiple, diverse, and dynamic personalities is a signature of the Great Director. It is well utilized in 11 Rebels.

The cast does a great job of working as an ensemble. While the action and fighting begin to whittle the ranks of characters down, there is a natural synergy among the players that make the sum of the cast greater than any single player. While I did find myself wanting to understand a little more about each of the characters, the limitations of a single film, as opposed to a trilogy, or television series, understandably limited the possibilities for more.

While the film is a historical drama, it is also, and fundamentally, an action film. The action and violence here are well done and they are plentiful. There is action, violence, and fighting throughout the film. The migration from sword to modern weapons is a tool of action and violence here, but also lends itself to the theme of the extinction of a the noble breed of Samurai Warriors. The climactic action and fight scenes in this movie are unique, well filmed, and highly engaging. I loved the violence, in its support for the story.

The costumes, set designs, and cinematography for this film are very good. The film may not be a big budgeted film; however, the elements come together for something that is visually powerful and has an authentic feel as a period piece.

Interesting fact: this film is based upon a 1964 Script that was shelved and took sixty years to revive. I am glad these filmmakers undertook the challenger of reviving it.

11 Rebels is a great film in the Japanese tradition. I highly recommend it.

11 Rebels was a movie I picked at random and I'm glad I did. It was another suicide squad of criminals kind of movie. It followed the typical pattern of a bunch of misfits finding common causes and overcoming a series of adversities.

But...cliche tho it was, it worked. No CGI, which was a nice change. Just decent practical effects.

Actors had good chemistry and the ensemble worked. It was a simple movie, in that there weren't ton of elaborate sets...the outdoor shots reminding me a bit of MASH locations.

The swordsmanship was about stabbing, slashing and flailing with differing degrees of skill, which one would expect from a real, ragtag, makeshift, fighting company, which helped to create a realistic feel.

It was over 2 hours long but it never felt too long. It was well worth watching. If you're looking for a change from dreary hollywood fare, I recommend 11 Rebels.

The movie had kind of a folksy charm. I liked it.

11 Rebels explores key themes such as loyalty, courage, rectitude and sacrifice.

I thought the story was good, but the cast and their characters are what stand out the most in this movie. As it progresses, you get to know more of the criminals and their crimes and their bond with their samurai captors.

The action sequences were amazing, and they're very bloody! Watch out for that.

The emotional stakes near the end really get you, but what really is different about this period drama compared to others is the ending, it's not a traditional hero meets loved one, it's darker and that's what makes it special.

It's very watchable, I recommend.

Rebels 11 even just by it's name is clearly a derivative to the more celebrated Seven Samurai or even the relatively more recent and equally excellent 13 Assassins. Putting aside the copycat criticisms some would say, the truth is that this actually does go its own way and I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised.

The film is really a derivative of various films, such as the two earlier mentioned but also the Dirty Dozen and likely by coincidence the US comedy movie Spies Like Us! Anyhow, no spoilers but the film centres 11 criminals and some samurai conscripted together to defend a castle, but not all is as it seems.

The film starts a bit poorly and I thought this was going to be a cheap cash-in, yet it grows and develops quite strongly and I was very pleasantly surprised by just how good the story did evolve. You do grow to love the motley crew as you watch them battle tragically against the clashing realpolitik interest, with no idea who they should best serve.

The action is very good, and the battles are well balanced without a need to go way over the top. That was what really gives the film its value in my opinion. The dialogue & direction is great to watch, and despite its runtime it doesn't drag.

If you like period pieces, especially action ones, then this is one that is not taxing and is very enjoyable. Good humour & action, tragedy and drama. I'd say it's very much worth a viewing.

This film takes considerable creative liberties with a real event from the Boshin Civil War, during which the small Shibata domain in northern Japan switched allegiances between opposing forces. It introduces a fictional element, a small squad of criminals tasked with defending an isolated outpost caught between the two armies.

Overall, it's a well-crafted period piece-visually impressive and competently acted. However, the storyline is fairly predictable, following a familiar pattern of defenders falling one by one. While some characters feel underdeveloped, others manage to leave a lasting impression.

The film shares some similarities with Miike's 13 Assassins but lacks the same level of intensity. Viewers shouldn't expect much beyond an entertaining action movie that occasionally surprises with its violent and gory moments.