11 no Zokugun

A pretty good samurai movie, some very nice set designs and practical effects. Having randomly come across this on Netflix and not knowing of any of the actors, impressive performances all round. The film is obviously very centered around a real Japanese civil war though, so if like me you go into this with no real knowledge of the events in the film it can be hard to keep up with who's who.

Some cool action set pieces as well and surprisingly gory, despite some very CGI blood early on once the action gets going the film certainly doesn't hold back with gore and characters being chopped up with katanas. The film doesn't feel too draggy overall despite the 2 and a half hour run time (there's a lot of character introduction at the start) a neat film if you're looking for some samurai action.

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.

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.

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.