Ran reviewed by Robbie Collin

[@zoobee]

Ran is a masterpiece not just of cinema but of all art. It is indescribable, a tragic vision of deep profundity, and absolute creative mastery of Kurosawa

[@thomascoushatta155]

+Jay Paul I just can´t get through it. The melodramatic tone of the movie and overstated performances annoy me immensely. I dont like Kurosawa when he deals with these fairy-tale subjects. I didnt like Rashomon, nor Throne of blood. I think, he, as a director is best when contained. High and low must be the best krimi thriller I have ever seen. Yojimbo is a masterpiece, Clint Eastwood has to thank for his career. At last but not least, the movie misses Toshiro Mifune, the most charismatic face of Japanese cinema.

[@franesustic988]

+Thomas Coushatta yes the movie is melodramatic and it should be. And how are themes of identity, ageing, family, legacy, greed, vanity, and hate fairy tale subjects, this movie is quite far from a fairy tale approach. A great movie, looking forward to seeing it again sometime.

[@randomkiliinterviews9453]

I was in awe of this film... I cannot believe the visual aethetics have been crafted so masterfully without any aid of CGI or special effects. Its breathtaking.

[@thesilentcontempt]

One of the best movies of all time.

[@65g4]

The film is a masterpiece i just purchased it on blu ray

[@hanshotfirst1138]

You guys in the UK are so damned lucky to be getting to see this on the big screen.

[@gorgeous61]

+hanshotfirst1138 Very true, saw it today on a massive screen with amazing sound at The Picturehouse Central in Central London. Awe inspiring visual and fabulous dialogue.......

[@ovo627]

Holy shit. Thank you so much for publishing this review. I had no idea it was being re-released and I just bought my ticket. So happy...

[@akurosawa]

Close contact with director Akira Kurosawa! The camera time slipped in July 1984 at the shooting site of the movie "Ran". You can meet a master who gives gentle and polite acting guidance to actors who do not scold other than the assistant director.

[@Flatlandcoder85]

Just screened this on Kermode's recommendation ... what a treat to see a Kurosawa film in color. Shakespeare and Japanese samurai legend threaded together. True global masterpiece.

[@oberon358]

such an amazing film, one of my absolute favourites. i really hope it gets a wider release, seeing it on the big screen would be absolutely incredible.

[@oatmat]

The film is one of my favorites but it's not that difficult to understand, perhaps from a western point of view, but not from an Asian one. It's about an evil man named Hidetora whose gained success by cheating (engaging in sin, committing murder and betraying anyone whose trusted him) in life and believes that he has gotten away with it. Now at the end of his life he has taught his sons nothing but cruelty and cheating and when his guard is down his oldest two sons do the same to him what he did to everyone else that was an obstacle to him. The punishment that he eluded for most of his life is finally catching up to him, and in the end his savior is also murdered, ending any hope he had for redemption as someone as wicked as Hidetora doesn't most likely deserve it with the amount of sin he has committed, punishment is served.

[@ArtwithBen]

So... the cinema showed the older version of Ran, not the 4k restoration. Apparently this was down to the distributer. Furthermore it took them 3 goes to start the movie. No sound, no subs, then they played the old one. Monumentally disappointed. They also let a young child in who ate popcorn throughout the near 3 hour run time. A painstaking reminder of why I heartbreakingly avoid the cinema.

[@oberon358]

Just had a chance to see this today in IMAX, incredible film, one of the great masterpieces of cinema.

[@MrManCrisps]

Such a good film, and review, only problem is I can't seem to find anywhere that's playing it. In the meantime my local cinema is too busy playing the nth repeat of Star Wars or batman vs superman

[@charliepanayiotou4305]

+Ahoy Only a handful of places showing it alas: www.londonnet.co.uk/films/ran.html

[@Toukah]

+Ahoy - Here's a list of all the screenings: www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/films/playdates.aspx?ID=9044

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Brilliant review.Outstanding film, getting tickets for the Dukes in brighton. :)

[@Grifftinderpals]

Kermode been on the Iron brew?

[@ArtwithBen]

Tickets booked! Cannot wait!

[@65g4]

This film is a masterpiece i have a remastered blu ray copy

[@godfreemorals]

YES! Love it!!!

[@ASKpq]

Doc Brown hosting? Haha, that's a surprise to see. But a nice one.