Trailer Link

Release Date:

December 25, 2013

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “A band of samurai set out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun.”

Poster: C / D+ (4) / C+ / B / C+

Review: (poster #1) It’s nothing particularly new, original, exciting or brilliant, but it serves its purpose.

(posters #2-#5) Four character posters that lack the imagination of the many other designs floating around this or any other year. The creators attempted to make each design original, but only the upside down antagonist really sparks, but not much. (original comment on poster #2 only: One of several “character” posters that all lack a visual style that sets them apart from the sea of like-styled posters. The background and partial foreground are mostly just plain and lifeless.)

(posters #6-8) The three Asian market designs are better than the American designs, with the middle one being the most impressive.

Trailer: C / C-

Review: Some interesting effects may sell the film to a small segment of the target demo, but Keanu Reeves only showcases how unconvincing he is as an actor and the plot doesn’t strike anyone as particularly original, even if they aren’t familiar with the legends or prior incarnations.

How do you make your movie look even less interesting, but adding to the prior trailer and making the film look like a cheap action knock-off with limited plot and too many attempts at looking cool.

Oscar Prospects:

None.

Revisions:

(July 28, 2013) Original
(December 22, 2013) New Trailer (#2) / New Posters (#1, #3-#8)

Additional Posters