Criticism wise, I wish that the plot had been more complex and that things were a little harder to achieve. As the other reviews mentioned, the story felt a little too simple at times. Albeit, that just may because I usually watch 16 hour long dramas, and thus I am used to seeing things progress in more detail. Overall, I do think that the movie did a good job with the 2 hours it had!
I also think Kento's acting was also a little over-the-top at times. As much as I love him - I actually started this movie for him! - it was a little cringe to see his overly enthusiastic acting. Although, I understand that this is his first time playing such a big role and it is very different from his past roles. I hope that in the next three movies, he can improve and become better because I know he is a brilliant actor and capable of a lot (as seen in his works Death Note and Todome No Kiss)! Other than that, the cast was brilliant and all actors delivered their roles very well!
To conclude, I would definitely recommend this movie! There may be a few things that were a little lacking, but in the end it was a very fun rollercoaster! I am excited to join the community of the Kingdom fans and read the story in it's different forms of media (ex: manga & anime) ((:
Was this review helpful to you?
Maybe I should start with those things that I didn't really like about this movie. First of all, there were some scenes were the movie was trying to be too much of an anime live action and so the performances were over the top. Also, the ending was not as magnificent as the whole movie was paving it to be. It just felt too easy, too simple. But there is still room for improvement, as the story left some things unsolved.
Overall, the movie was entertaining, nevertheless. The performances were pretty good and the action scenes well choreographed and enjoyable. The CGI were good too and the story's pace was fast and suited the mood of the movie.
So, eight out of ten.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Wow. What can I say? I anticipated so much to watch this movie as I loved the manga so much.Going straight to the direction of the film. The transition lines weirded me out the most but I figured that the director wanted to aim for an old film feel? I can't quite point out the technical term for this, but anyway I hope the message was understood. Lol. Anyhoo, the direction was what I imagined when I was reading the manga. The order of events were good and while thinking of what will happen next, I wondered if there will be a sequel. Because the manga is freakin' awesome and it's a long-running type... So I just wondered while watching.
Next up is the cast. I think Yamazaki Kento was perfect for the role. He did well as Shin. Also, Yoshizawa Ryo was soooo convincing as Sei. I liked both leads! Perfect for the role. Nagasawa Manami was stunning! As always, I am a fan of her work. Hashimoto Kanna was cute being Ten. Whoo, if there will be a sequel for this movie, I am excited most for Ten's live-action development. Because she represented women during that era and her future career does offer some exciting plot points.
On to my favorite character, Ouki!!! I like Ouki too much. I think they could have chosen an actor that has bigger lips (because that was Ouki's character point in the manga), but I couldn't ask for anyone better. Osawa Takao did a good job for Ouki! His voice was well near to my imagination of Ouki's voice. I can't help but feel giddy whenever he speaks! He lifted my feelings up (because I miss Ouki in the manga) and I remembered why I like Ouki from the start. Ooooh he did well!
Overall, I highly highly highly recommend this movie. Well, first reason being I read the manga and the storytelling there was so exciting. Second reason is that the direction of this movie was so good, taking in consideration the era they were trying to set-up, it was no easy feat. Costumes, setting, make-up, were all properly done! I applaud everyone who helped make this movie. It was one of a kind. Lastly, I highly recommend this movie because of Ouki. Osawa Takao made his own version of Ouki and I couldn't ask for anyone better. Oh, maybe just a little bit more lipstick? Lol just kidding. This movie was amazing.
Was this review helpful to you?
Okay now for the acting part. Kento tried his best, one can really felt the sincerity in his acting, must be the burden of being the main man of this high budgeted movie weights him. However, it usually happens that when an actor tries too hard, it becomes unnatural. And that's what happens with Kento's acting. It is not really that hard to pull off his character though, but since he's been acting those 'prince-ly' type of character for years, the transition becomes quite difficult. Though I know, I know, he will improve. If there's a season 2 for the movie, I hope he can showcase his improvement there.
For Yoshizawa Ryo, gosh that actor is so good. I am not a fan of him so I'm never biased when I say that he has a high commanding screen presence even when he is sharing scenes with Kento. His acting is great and since he has ample screentime in this film, one who is not familiar with the movie and the leads might go into thinking that Ryo is the main lead here. His character is pretty more interesting than Shin.
Also, I hope next time, they will give Masami more lines. The girl is so pretty and badass but her character lacks the opportunity to shine.
Over-all, the film was good. Obviously a second season will be on the works considering the explosive popularity the movie has achieved. Hopefully, they will add more heart to the story and depth to the journey of our leads and battles to make it more epic and outstanding.
Was this review helpful to you?
A quintessential blockbuster
Watched at the Japan Film Festival 2019Pros
-A generous amount of intense fight scenes, ranging from one on one to many against many.
-A beautiful movie- kudos to director Sato for making the effort to film in China and capture its gorgeous scenery and architecture. In this sense, it felt like a Japanese version of Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit trilogy.
-Well-executed performances all around, especially from Yoshizawa Ryo and Nagasawa Masami. They absolutely radiated power and fortitude.
-Well placed and often hilarious humor that breaks the serious tone.
-Rousing speeches aplenty.
-Nice soundtrack.
Cons
-Adepted from a manga but regardless, the characters often feel and act like stereotypes, with not much unique to distinguish them otherwise. The story too, though well executed, is nothing new.
-Some of the fight scenes got a little out of hand, especially with the jumping.
-Shin's words and behaviour are repetitive at times.
-Certain characters seem to mysteriously disappear and pop up again much later as needed.
Conclusion; Not groundbreaking (apart from the obviously luxurious budget used to create it) but a very fun watch with a grand scale and likeable characters.
Was this review helpful to you?
I put 18+ warning here because the movie has a lot of bloody scene (well, what do you expect from a war? XD).
I'm waiting for this movie since I don't know when because of Yamaken, but when I'm watching it I'm captivated by Yoshizawa Ryo as Eisei (^o^)
For the movie itself, I feel like this movie is a fusion between Rurouni Kenshin and Lord of The Ring (^_^;) I didn't focused too much to the story, I'm more focused to the action scene, which for me great enough (except for some "fall down" or "thrown off" scene). The story was great as far as I remember, but the ending feels like it being forced to be ended, a.k.a a bit anti-climax and too simple for the closure of that big story.
The casts acting are superb, especially for Yoshizawa Ryo and Hongo Kanata. Yoshizawa Ryo's imperial expression and gesture are really dazzling (♡-_-♡), while Hongo Kanata's vicious expression really thrilling ( : ౦ ‸ ౦ : ) Not forget to mention that Nagasawa Masami is really badass ♡ ～('▽^人) How about Yamaken? He's doing great too, so powerfull (ox strength, said Hyou XD), free-wheeling and passionate, but sometimes I feel like he force his "free-wheeling" and comical act so that they're becomes bit too much. But despite than that, he's doing great as usual (°◡°♡)
Was this review helpful to you?
Let me start off with the things that might affect your decision. The fighting is not realistic and there are creatures not known to man. The actions in the movie contains live action. It mimics animes. The acting was very good though. The live action should not render you from watching. Even though this film does include history, it's very fictional. Some characters or groups of people do not exist. If you look above (if it hasn't been changed yet) this film is rated G. It shouldn't be, there is cursing, bloodshed, and graphic violence.
Now the good parts. The acting is very good. The story and plot make since, so there shouldn't be confusion. This movie contains humorous moments the break the serious ice. The fighting scenes keep you intact. The quiet moments are not quiet, watching most movies, we hate the quiet moments,but in this movie they don't last long. The visuals of the scenes are amazing and cool.
SPOILERS!!!!!
The first 5mins was a childhood story then it transitions to a teen life. Shin and hyou are "brothers" for life. Hyou is scouted to serve the king, while shin is left behind. Shin gets stronger to, one day, meet hyou again to become "Great generals under the heavens". Hyou comes back to there plantation bleeding and half alive, he sends shin on a quest to find the king. The king is hyou's look alike. The truth was revealed, hyou was scotted to be a decoy if anything ever went wrong. Hyou was killed by the enemy, thinking he was the king. The king, Sei, after clearing up the confusion, then gathers his soldiers, shin and ten (a girl mountain person) and try to revive the alliance between the mountain people and his people. The mountain king, turns out to be a woman and agrees to helping Sei, the king, to reclaiming his throne. Sei reclaims the throne and reveals his true reasons for wanting to be king, to rule over all of China in harmony and alliance. With shin by his side, and the life of thousand if not millions, he can accomplish this dream, just like shin can become "Great general under the heavens" and make his "brother" proud.
Please do keep in mind I'm not good at this but I think, this review should help you make your decision. Please watch this, it doesn't disappoint.
Was this review helpful to you?
I wish Nagasawa Masami had a bigger role... this movie made me realize she is great for badass-warrior-like roles (but she is also great for silly roles like Dako-chan... she just doesn't suit the cute, romantic, pathetic role).
As someone who has not read the manga nor the plot of the movie, I loved it. I will even re-watch it maybe this weekend. If the budget for the sequel is the same as for this one, I will definitely watch it, since the CGI was excellent, as well as the script and the action scenes.
Was this review helpful to you?
I liked this Adaptation very much. They have spend lots of money on it.
Scenes from China were Gorgeous, Film Sets were Great and Costumes were very Good.
I don't listen to background Music so I can't say much anything about the music, but from what I remember, music was good too.
Now Acting.
I think Kento tried to intimate Shin from the Manga and that's why his Acting was bit off. Intimating a Shonen Hero in Live Action is a bad Idea.
Kanna did OK. If you compare it to her Horrible Acting in Saiki Kusuo, then she did way better in Kingdom.
Ryo performed very well despite doing hard stuff like playing double role.
Osawa as General Ouki did very well. Though my only Problem was that he wasn't that much tall and Muscular than in Manga, but he performed Ouki very well.
And for now the most hardest role in Kingdom series, it was Mountain King Yotanwa's role.
Masami played Yotanwa very well, though her role and Dialogues were short.
To perform a Savage,Tough and Badass Tribal King(Queen) was a very hard role.
But don't expect her to be in Sequel, because Yotanwa doesn't appear much in manga majority of the time.
If you love Action, then you will enjoy this movie very much.
The only flaw of the Movie was it's simple story and Ending.
See I enjoyed the Movie very much but by the time of climax, they weren't able to build up any tension. It felt like Shin&Co easily managed everything. And pacing was off to around climax.
Overall,
For me Kingdom was one of the Best Manga Adaptation and I enjoyed it very much.
I hope they bring us Sequel very soon.
And forgive me for my poor English as it's my Mothertongue.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Tonight, I watched the manga based Jmovie Kingdom, starring Yamazaki Kento as Shin & Yoshizawa Ryo in the double part of Hyo and King Eisei. And it was so, so good! Especially the bromance and mainly the bromance between Shin & Hyo. And it made me bawl so hard. Like literally, tears streaming down my face, stuffed nose, all the jazz.Because Hyo was amazing. Devoted and loyal and amazing. And his fate was the saddest part of this movie. That he managed to find his way to Shin even mortally wounded because he wanted to see him one last time, that he died in Shin's arms, promising to always be with him, wherever Shin went, that he used his last strength to send Shin - the person he trusted and loved the most - to King Eisei because he knew that Eisei would need someone he could trust and that Shin would be that person... Just thinking about it breaks my heart all anew, honestly!
And the fact that Shin never forgot Hyo? That he always reminded everyone that Hyo died protecting the king, that Hyo was a person whose life also mattered, that Hyo was amazing and kind and loyal... That whenever Shin felt his strength failing, he remembered Hyo. That even at the end, when they won the war, he remembered Hyo. Because not even their victory could bring Hyo back... Gosh!
Theirs was one of the best bromances I've seen. One of those relationships that are so beautiful and so tragic that even just remembering them makes you feel all wobbly.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The only 10/10 Japanese movie so far
I was always into movies like this. Kingdoms, battles, etc… But this one was a truly masterpiece. The story was very interesting and catch my attention so fast. Kento was amazing in his character as Shin, a boy who’s dedicated to his and his best friend’s dream. And Ryo playing two characters as the king Eisei and the slave Hyou was quite something I never expected. From the beginning to the end everything got me surprised and stunned.The fighting scenes were very nice and the battle for the throne between two brothers was interesting to watch. But the goal is Sei to unite China as one catch me really hard. For sure I’ll complete the whole series and recommend to watch it!
Was this review helpful to you?
