Ran is one of Kurosawa's better known works, and as I recently read, the production was given financial help from 3 big Hollywood directors. If I remember correctly: Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Hang on a sec...... yup, those guys. So, it makes me even more curious why I'm bothering to add to the pool of reviews already out there.

Many will not need to be told that Ran is based on Shakespeare's King Lear. In Ran, Lord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides to split his Kingdom up between his three sons. Of course, things don't go as smoothly as planned, and Lord Hidetora finds himself amidst a crumbling kingdom, the doom of which he has unwittingly, or blindly played a key role in facilitating. Typical Shakespearian tradgedy. I guess. I never really studied Shakespeare, but it sounds reasonable.

When I first saw this movie I was younger and less patient and found it long and a little boring. What amazed me was that when I saw it 10 years later (I'm guessing wildly) I found every single scene memorable, as if it had been burned into my subconscious, and hibernated there until I was ready to really appreciate them. Scene after scene, of a movie a could barely remember, was familiar, beautiful and haunting. The blind (prince?) guy with the flute, you know? That kind of stuff.

If you are four years old, I suggest you wait a bit before seeing Ran. It's a long, slow, and, if you have a short attention span, tedious film to watch. If you appreciate great acting, epic stories, beautiful cinematography, and imagery that will become a part of your very being (well ...) then Ran can't be too highly recommended.

That's it. Review of Ran done. Hey, that was easy!

DO NOT BUY THIS FILM IF: You already own it; you work in a video store and can borrow it for free; or Japanese people wearing hats that make them look like rabbits make you uncomfortable.

RECOMMENDATION: Aside from little kids, and penguins of any age, I would highly, highly recommend this film to everyone. Aren't you glad you read this review, after being on the fence about it for 20 years?

Unfortunately, Saburo turns out to be right and the film proceeds to show the tragedy of Hidetora's decision. Not only do Hidetora's sons turn against him, his entire family has enemies who've been waiting years to avenge themselves against them for Hidetora's past brutal conquests.

Ran has the feel of a great Shakespearean tragedy. Many of the scenes could have been stage sets, or perhaps more accurately opera. Note the bright colors and lavish costumes set in contrast with the bleak storyline, the bigger than life emotions, the extremity of loyalty and betrayal, and the cataclysmic finale, all very reminiscent of a tragic opera. I was left emotionally drained by the time it was all over.

Visually, Ran is stunning. I mentioned the exceptional use of color and costumes already. But the shots of the landscapes, sky, and castles are likewise incredible. The characters often make reference to the gods and in Kurosawa's nature shots, you almost get the impression that they are close by, gathering to watch these sad happenings.

Additionally, Ran features the best - I repeat, THE BEST - battle scenes I have ever witnessed. The music, choreography, and cinematography combine to create two major battles so incredible I think I could just sit there and watch them in a loop for hours on end. The only problem with them (and one of the few weaknesses of the film in general) is the overuse of buckets of blood, much of which looks fake.

The acting was wonderful, especially Mieko Harada who stole the show as the ultra-manipulative Lady Kaede. Tatsuya Nakadai was also great as the animated Lord Hidetora.