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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
Rated R
Runtime: 1hr 56min
Starring: Forest Whitaker, John Tormey, Cliff Gorman, Frank Minucci, Richard Portnow.

MFG Rating: 2/5

DVD Features

Video: Enhanced for widescreen but pretty grainy at times. This wasn't a high budget film, and it shows. It's not really distracting though.

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 with excellent usage of the surround speakers for ambiance. From birds flying to the haunting score, this movie sounds great.

Extras: Deleted scenes, music video, making of documentary and an isolated music score.

DVD QuickTake

This is one of the most unusual movies I've watched in quite some time. Forest Whitaker plays a modern day Samurai whose master just happens to be a gangster. Basically he's a hit man, but a hit man with a code of honor.

While taking care of business one night, he executes a man in front of the mob bosses daughter. Even though this same boss is the one who wanted the killing done, he's not happy about his daughter being present and orders the assassin himself to be rubbed out. Easier said than done for two reason. First, Ghost Dog as he likes to call himself, is pretty good at his job and second, these gangsters are a bunch of morons! OK, so they aren't the Sopranos... they are more like some twisted comedy version of a mob. Quite strange to say the least and you'll just have to see it to understand what I'm talking about.

Two big faults with the movie come to mind. It's a bit slow, and its kinda preachy. The interludes of Samurai wisdom dropped in between scenes is OK most of the time, but the director seems to be trying to make the movie more than it is, and it doesn't always work.

Nevertheless, it is worth watching, but I'd rent it before buying.

-John

 

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Vital Stats
                   
Less
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Gun Play
                   
This Samurai has a sword, but prefers guns!


Blood & Gore
                   
Lots of blood as a result of gunshots, but nothing really graphic..


Car Chases
                   
No chases, but this Samurai rides in style.


T&A
                   
Just the slightest bit of eye candy, and I do mean slight.

Chuckles
                   
I think this movie was supposed to be funnier than I thought it was.