With the way the movie begins you would expect it show a lot of depth
or character development. No, you could easily see the two peasants being two
dumb sidekicks, but they don't.
Yes they are the cause of much laughter, but that isn't where their characters end. They have a certain sense of cruel reality about them. They had a bit of background; you weren't supposed to regard them as just two simpletons. They’re cruel greedy men; their loyalty depends on how kind fortune happens to be. They don't care about honor and don't really care for much other than the gratification of their own needs. Sure other movies do have characters like this but they very rarely seem to make the darker sides of such characters visible. Here it just seems more obvious, unavoidable and realistic. How many movies exist where the comic relief characters plan to force themselves onto a princess? These unrelenting hints at their curler nature and intentions make their final decisions to share the gold all the more significant.
The General too showed a very realistic outlook. It might be hard to root for someone who jokes about how he planned to kill peasants if they failed to give him a satisfactory answer, but it just makes his decisions to be merciful and tolerant more significant. The characters decisions show real weight, they have to decide how they want to act and if those decisions sit well with their concision. You wouldn't realistically expect a general in the middle of medieval Japan [where the feudal system was quite powerful] to care much about peasants.
The princess is one of the most interesting characters. Her defiant attitude and hardheadedness doesn't seem tacked on. She shows moments of intelligence and wit even though she does not say anything through half the movie.
The scene where she foils the generals’ attempt at reverse psychology is one of the best in the movie. While I was watching this unfold I thought to myself how annoying such common, obvious depictions of reverse psychology are and how annoying it was that in nearly all movies and books, these blatant attempts at treachery are always believed. I almost found myself cheering when the princess saw right through his plan in seconds. The way the other older general struggled to hide a smile was a nice touch and seemed to suggest a great attention to detail. The scene really drove home the point that the princess despite being arrogant and conceited was very capable of compromise and cunning. Telling us subtly, that she has great potential as a leader.
The scene where the old retainer tries to explain why the princess is so angry to hear that the general has sacrificed his sister also let us know how she stands with the common folk, and is perhaps an allusion to further challenges to come.
The other general is also interesting; his introduction is untimely, making the movie feel more akin to a play with acts. His changing personality, his conflicts with his code of honor, loyalty gave him more character development than the actual general.
It's interesting to compare the two, for you start to realize that there aren't any real villains in the movie. You don't really see any hints that once side is more in the right than the other.
The final character the woman the princess rescues is very significant, for she takes away from the lighter feel of the earlier bit of the movie. A reminder that all isn't well in the kingdom. She also seems to be the very opposite of the two peasants in the movie. Unlike them she is caring, loyal and even risks her life to save the princess. I don't remember seeing her in the final scene.
The movie was a rather fun adventure; it had interesting characters and an enjoyable plot. Yet it also had a lot of complexity and layers that one could miss. Overall it was thoroughly enjoyable and engaging.
Yes they are the cause of much laughter, but that isn't where their characters end. They have a certain sense of cruel reality about them. They had a bit of background; you weren't supposed to regard them as just two simpletons. They’re cruel greedy men; their loyalty depends on how kind fortune happens to be. They don't care about honor and don't really care for much other than the gratification of their own needs. Sure other movies do have characters like this but they very rarely seem to make the darker sides of such characters visible. Here it just seems more obvious, unavoidable and realistic. How many movies exist where the comic relief characters plan to force themselves onto a princess? These unrelenting hints at their curler nature and intentions make their final decisions to share the gold all the more significant.
The General too showed a very realistic outlook. It might be hard to root for someone who jokes about how he planned to kill peasants if they failed to give him a satisfactory answer, but it just makes his decisions to be merciful and tolerant more significant. The characters decisions show real weight, they have to decide how they want to act and if those decisions sit well with their concision. You wouldn't realistically expect a general in the middle of medieval Japan [where the feudal system was quite powerful] to care much about peasants.
The princess is one of the most interesting characters. Her defiant attitude and hardheadedness doesn't seem tacked on. She shows moments of intelligence and wit even though she does not say anything through half the movie.
The scene where she foils the generals’ attempt at reverse psychology is one of the best in the movie. While I was watching this unfold I thought to myself how annoying such common, obvious depictions of reverse psychology are and how annoying it was that in nearly all movies and books, these blatant attempts at treachery are always believed. I almost found myself cheering when the princess saw right through his plan in seconds. The way the other older general struggled to hide a smile was a nice touch and seemed to suggest a great attention to detail. The scene really drove home the point that the princess despite being arrogant and conceited was very capable of compromise and cunning. Telling us subtly, that she has great potential as a leader.
The scene where the old retainer tries to explain why the princess is so angry to hear that the general has sacrificed his sister also let us know how she stands with the common folk, and is perhaps an allusion to further challenges to come.
The other general is also interesting; his introduction is untimely, making the movie feel more akin to a play with acts. His changing personality, his conflicts with his code of honor, loyalty gave him more character development than the actual general.
It's interesting to compare the two, for you start to realize that there aren't any real villains in the movie. You don't really see any hints that once side is more in the right than the other.
The final character the woman the princess rescues is very significant, for she takes away from the lighter feel of the earlier bit of the movie. A reminder that all isn't well in the kingdom. She also seems to be the very opposite of the two peasants in the movie. Unlike them she is caring, loyal and even risks her life to save the princess. I don't remember seeing her in the final scene.
The movie was a rather fun adventure; it had interesting characters and an enjoyable plot. Yet it also had a lot of complexity and layers that one could miss. Overall it was thoroughly enjoyable and engaging.
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