The story of "47 Ronin" is based on a real event that took place in Japan about 300 years ago, which is where my first issue with the film arises. As a fan of fantasy, I was puzzled by the heavy use of fantasy elements in a movie that claims to tell the story of the samurai. For me, introducing ghosts and witches feels out of place in a narrative like this—imagine if "Titanic" included elves and wizards; it just wouldn’t work. While I didn’t expect a documentary, I would have preferred a more realistic approach.
On the flip side, if I hadn’t been familiar with the true story of the 47 Ronin, I might have enjoyed it more. The film has a very Hollywood feel and diverges significantly from traditional Japanese samurai films, complete with a Romeo and Juliet-style love story. There are moments when the plot skips important parts, and some elements seem unnecessary. Despite these typical Hollywood traits, the film is entertaining, with solid acting and a captivating storyline.
In conclusion, while it was worth watching, it could have been even better if it had stayed more faithful to the original tale it was based on.