The Seven Samurai remake

[Watson]

^Precisely. I would be down for a "re-imagining" of the seven samurai if some of the story elements were transposed on a new background or time. But a direct remake is not needed.

 

[Midnhtsun]

^Precisely. I would be down for a "re-imagining" of the seven samurai if some of the story elements were transposed on a new background or time. But a direct remake is not needed.

Eh since the movie first came out "stage combat" has come a long way, granted the movie was not all about the battles and fighting but this is one element that would be greatly improved.
Cinematography is yet another improvement, the cameras are obviously better these days. The landscapes would look much better and the costumes could have much better designs to them these days. Compare Last Samurai to Seven Samurai costume wise and you cannot tell me the samurai armor was weaker in the Last Samurai.
People seem to think remakes are replacements of the original, no they are not. Kurosawa's version will always hold its place in history, enough time has past to justify a remake.
As for Magnificent Seven yes it was a remake, "re-imagination" is a pc term that was made up because "remake" doesn't sound as creative.

–verb (used with object) 1.to make again or anew. 2.Movies. to film again, as a picture or screenplay. –noun 3.Movies. a more recent version of an older film. 4.anything that has been remade, renovated, or rebuilt: The tailor is offering a special price on remakes.

 

[Watson]

Eh since the movie first came out "stage combat" has come a long way, granted the movie was not all about the battles and fighting but this is one element that would be greatly improved.
Cinematography is yet another improvement, the cameras are obviously better these days. The landscapes would look much better and the costumes could have much better designs to them these days. Compare Last Samurai to Seven Samurai costume wise and you cannot tell me the samurai armor was weaker in the Last Samurai.

I think any of these things you have mentioned are arguable. I quite enjoyed the combat scenes in the Seven Samurai, as well as the costumes and cinematography. Seven Samurai, and many other of Kursawa's films, were considered landmarks in terms of cinematography and editing (just ask George Lucas ). While you could certainly remake them, the chances of the film maker hitting new landmarks isn't likely. Besides to me that isn't a good enough reason to justify a remake. It would be like remaking Citizen Kane because a film maker could do a deep focus shot better then Welles, who was one of the first to even use it.

People seem to think remakes are replacements of the original, no they are not. Kurosawa's version will always hold its place in history, enough time has past to justify a remake.

They are clearly not. But why not come up with something original? Seven Samurai is still very watchable by today's standards, and Japan has a rich cultural background on which to draw other samurai stories. There are other books and Japanese stories that could be adapted into great films. Or even more creative, borrow an idea from Kurosawa himself and remake a Western classic in the samurai tradition.

As for Magnificent Seven yes it was a remake, "re-imagination" is a pc term that was made up because "remake" doesn't sound as creative.

–verb (used with object) 1.to make again or anew. 2.Movies. to film again, as a picture or screenplay. –noun 3.Movies. a more recent version of an older film. 4.anything that has been remade, renovated, or rebuilt: The tailor is offering a special price on remakes.

LOL, how is it PC? I wasn't aware there was anything politically incorrect about remakes. I used the term "re-imagination" to indicate that though it used the same story it was vastly different in terms of setting and how the story was told. If you want to get into the semantics of it I would call the Magnificent Seven a loose remake.

 

[Pink Ranger]

AVP man, its aliens vs predator, so why are humans in there? Same thing with transformers being more about Shia's character instead of the actual transformers. Because Hollywood believes that they need to make movies so that the target audience can relate to the story. Is hollywood is right or wrong I'm not going to debate that on the boards thats all opinion I suppose.

You raise a good point, one that I considered. My stance is, the Transformers are alien robots, the Aliens and Predators are all aliens, yet we're ALL human beings, no matter what the race. The mandatory "white American perspective" isn't necessary in all cases.

The weird part is that alot of these casting decisions are made based on pure assumptions started by some decadent, Hollywood executive, and not based on any real experience. Crouching Tiger did very well as an Asian movie, as did others like Hero.

 

[Midnhtsun]

You raise a good point, one that I considered. My stance is, the Transformers are alien robots, the Aliens and Predators are all aliens, yet we're ALL human beings, no matter what the race. The mandatory "white American perspective" isn't necessary in all cases.

The weird part is that alot of these casting decisions are made based on pure assumptions started by some decadent, Hollywood executive, and not based on any real experience. Crouching Tiger did very well as an Asian movie, as did others like Hero.

My guess, its greed, or playing it safe. Its safer to assume people will relate to the all american boy, than to take a risk. It really suprised me when I learned that Harold and Kumar was the first hit films to have two asian stars. (don't remember if it was for comedy or just in general)

 

[Midnhtsun]

I think any of these things you have mentioned are arguable. I quite enjoyed the combat scenes in the Seven Samurai, as well as the costumes and cinematography. Seven Samurai, and many other of Kursawa's films, were considered landmarks in terms of cinematography and editing (just ask George Lucas ). While you could certainly remake them, the chances of the film maker hitting new landmarks isn't likely. Besides to me that isn't a good enough reason to justify a remake. It would be like remaking Citizen Kane because a film maker could do a deep focus shot better then Welles, who was one of the first to even use it.



They are clearly not. But why not come up with something original? Seven Samurai is still very watchable by today's standards, and Japan has a rich cultural background on which to draw other samurai stories. There are other books and Japanese stories that could be adapted into great films. Or even more creative, borrow an idea from Kurosawa himself and remake a Western classic in the samurai tradition.




LOL, how is it PC? I wasn't aware there was anything politically incorrect about remakes. I used the term "re-imagination" to indicate that though it used the same story it was vastly different in terms of setting and how the story was told. If you want to get into the semantics of it I would call the Magnificent Seven a loose remake.

Pc might have been the wrong term, but "remake" comes with a stigma of lack of creativity. Suddenly directors/writers and what not started using the phrase re-imagining to give it a more creative spin, when in fact its still a remake, just using a different word.

The problem with come up with something original is that there really isn't anything completely original, everything is influenced by something else. I will contradict myself and say yes there are a few things out there, but dig deep enough and you will find some kind of influence from somewhere.
To you and me sure the original seven samurai is very watchable, but not everyone can be that passionate about movies. Which yea its sad, but a well done remake can expose new generations to a great story. There have been many times I have seen a remake and enjoyed it and later found out there was an original, and because of that I went out to find the original and watch it too. Songs are the same too, a good remake can do wonders.
People like to gripe but with a passionate director and some good actors its not impossible to make a great film that lives up to its predecessor. Give it a few months, when we might find out more concrete details about the film and who knows.

 

[TLH]

They're remaking Seven Samurai? I guess no film is untouchable.

 

[Rac]

They're remaking Seven Samurai? I guess no film is untouchable.

Shichinin no samurai (1954)
Remade as

The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Liu he qian shou (1979)
- The film is about 7 martial arts masters who are enlisted to eliminate a Japanese Karate expert who is threatening the Chinese martial arts community
Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
Sette magnifici gladiatori, I (1983)
Dune Warriors (1990)
Dikiy vostok (1993)
China Gate (1998)
"Samurai 7" (2004)
- animated remake

:S

I'm actually interested in the anime and the sci-fi versions.

 

[Laderlappen]

I personally think the costumes, cinematography, & the set is as good as it can get. I don't prefer Last Samurai's costumes. They are more detailed, but not better. Seven Samurai's cinematography is hard to find even today. And so is the set.

 

[Pink Ranger]

:S

I'm actually interested in the anime and the sci-fi versions.

I've rented all 10 hours of Samurai 7, and although some purists hate it, I'm actually really enjoying it (only past Episode 4, however).

 

[Midnhtsun]

I personally think the costumes, cinematography, & the set is as good as it can get. I don't prefer Last Samurai's costumes. They are more detailed, but not better. Seven Samurai's cinematography is hard to find even today. And so is the set.

I will agree to disagree, I just feel with HD that brings a lot to cinematography now, but there are cases where I have preferred 35mm over HD.

 

[fabman]

Isn't Last Man Standing another take on The Seven Samurai?

 

[Poeman]

they should also remake star wars and gone with the wing

 

[Midnhtsun]

Isn't Last Man Standing another take on The Seven Samurai?

Close, its a remake of Kurosawa's Yojimbo

 

[Rac]

Isn't Last Man Standing another take on The Seven Samurai?

Wasn't it Yojimbo?

 

[Pink Ranger]

Close, its a remake of Kurosawa's Yojimbo

Somebody has to say it:

Since when did Kurosawa make a movie about rabbits?!

 

[Avangarde]

the Ring, the Grudge, the Eye, the Departed, Dragonball, Akira, the Ghost in the Shell, and now the Seven Samurai...

...first Hollywood had the comic book movement then a fantasy movement. i guess we're having an Asian cinema movement now.

It would seem so, about time the Japanese were recognised for there greatness

 

[Midnhtsun]

Somebody has to say it:

Since when did Kurosawa make a movie about rabbits?!

Kurosawa's bunny fetish was rarely documented and kept very well private haha

 

[DorkyFresh]

edit: nevermind

 

[BloodyWolverine]

Thsi is who the Seven Samurai should be.

1 Jackie Chan.

2 Jet Li.

3 Chow Yung Fat.

4 Ken Wantanbe.

6 Robin Shou.

7 Jason Statum.

 

[DorkyFresh]

Thsi is who the Seven Samurai should be.

1 Jackie Chan.

2 Jet Li.

3 Chow Yun Fat.

4 Ken Watanabe.

5 Takeshi Kaneshiro

6 Hiroyuki Sanada.

7 Gordon Liu.

fixed

 

[terry78]

Thsi is who the Seven Samurai should be.

1 Jackie Chan.

2 Jet Li.

3 Chow Yung Fat.

4 Ken Wantanbe.

6 Robin Shou.

7 Jason Statum.

How did you fit Statham in there? If he was one of them, you can believe every other samurai would be pushed to the background and this would be about his quest.

 

[Midnhtsun]

Thsi is who the Seven Samurai should be.

1 Jackie Chan.

2 Jet Li.

3 Chow Yung Fat.

4 Ken Wantanbe.

6 Robin Shou.

7 Jason Statum.

I dont know if I really like this list most of the actors just don't fit and are chinese. I do agree with having Ken Wantanbe, he would play the leader very well, Jet li and Jacki chan are just too kung fu for this flick, granted the remake is like the original which isn't all about action.

two others that I can think of off the top of my head are

Sanada Hiroyuki
Ken Leung (If we are not sticking to just japanese actors)
Masi Oka (For comic relief)

Im hesitant to put Sanada on the list cause I don't want to pretty much say, "Hey the cast of last samurai would be great" but I guess only having 2 isnt all that bad hehe

 

[Timstuff]

This movie will be @$$. Hollywood can only screw this up.

 

[Midnhtsun]

This movie will be @$$. Hollywood can only screw this up.

Thanks but the generic "This is going to suck" post has already made. Try adding something useful to the discussion next time please.