I have been always interested in WWII, and also in the pacific war. So, when i saw this movie on an stand of a DVD shop, i felt curious and i bought it. We are all used to see the American perspective of things. The reason i bought this movie was that i wanted to see a genuine Japanese perspective.
Of course, i did not expect "star wars" special effects. So, do not expect that.
This movie is extremely moving and passionate, and presents the reality of war in a quite real perspective. This movie conveys very well two ideas: 1. Tragedy: The movie is sad. It could not be otherwise. This is not comedy, but very deep emotional drama. We see clearly the manipulations of the politicians and military high staff to induce the people to join the suicide squads. To die so young and in such a meaningless way is terrible.
2. Beauty and Pride: It is extremely moving to see the young pilots fly to their deaths. But it is also extremely beautiful in the way it is depicted. This is not epic cinema in the "Lord of the Rings way", where Gandalf can save your ass just using a magic trick(therefore, unreal). There are not grandiloquent epic speeches like those pronounced by Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, but extremely short and tough (therefore, extremely real).
No, this is real. The boys are sent to death in a very sad ceremony in which they drink sake and are greeted by women before they fly to death. It is really strange to watch, and many contradictory feelings arise when you contemplate these hyper-realistic scenes.
However, despite the overwhelming sense of uselessness and misery, the movie also conveys very well the emotions of the Kamikaze pilots. Some are confused, some do not want to die and are against the whole thing, but a great deal of them do agree with this thing, and are genuinely ready to sacrifice themselves. One of the motto of the kamikazes in this movie is: "We will die for those whom we love". So, in the minds of many of these people, the idea of sacrificing their lives in order to help his country was not only acceptable but honorable and worthy.
After watching the movie, i could not help it but feeling a great deal of admiration for the pilots who flied to their deaths willingly and passionately. There is here something deeply emotional, savage, passionate, strange and profoundly beautiful about them. They were sad in a way, but they were also real, credible and actual godlike heroes.
Most epic movies tend to portrait heroes who are not afraid to die and survive just in the last minute due to not very credible stunts. Here, you see very normal people. You see young men with girlfriends, brothers, sisters, parents and friends. One is a peasant. Other is a Baker, other a musician. They all feel a deep fear and their emotions are confused and mixed. Also, some of them are not convinced of the purpose of the suicidal tactics. However, in the end, they all fly to their deaths, and carry their mission. These are true human heroes. I suppose one may call them idiots or madmen from a western-pragmatic point if view, but out of respect and admiration, i would not call them that.
However, the big success of the movie is that they are very accurately described: they are common people: some are mislead, some are fanatics, but most of them are completely normal. And nevertheless, they do find the courage to accept a tragic destiny and die for their country and fellow countrymen.
So, yes, this is a strongly epic movie.
So, eternal greetings to the Gods of the Rising Sun. I hope they rest in peace.
Of course, i did not expect "star wars" special effects. So, do not expect that.
This movie is extremely moving and passionate, and presents the reality of war in a quite real perspective. This movie conveys very well two ideas: 1. Tragedy: The movie is sad. It could not be otherwise. This is not comedy, but very deep emotional drama. We see clearly the manipulations of the politicians and military high staff to induce the people to join the suicide squads. To die so young and in such a meaningless way is terrible.
2. Beauty and Pride: It is extremely moving to see the young pilots fly to their deaths. But it is also extremely beautiful in the way it is depicted. This is not epic cinema in the "Lord of the Rings way", where Gandalf can save your ass just using a magic trick(therefore, unreal). There are not grandiloquent epic speeches like those pronounced by Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, but extremely short and tough (therefore, extremely real).
No, this is real. The boys are sent to death in a very sad ceremony in which they drink sake and are greeted by women before they fly to death. It is really strange to watch, and many contradictory feelings arise when you contemplate these hyper-realistic scenes.
However, despite the overwhelming sense of uselessness and misery, the movie also conveys very well the emotions of the Kamikaze pilots. Some are confused, some do not want to die and are against the whole thing, but a great deal of them do agree with this thing, and are genuinely ready to sacrifice themselves. One of the motto of the kamikazes in this movie is: "We will die for those whom we love". So, in the minds of many of these people, the idea of sacrificing their lives in order to help his country was not only acceptable but honorable and worthy.
After watching the movie, i could not help it but feeling a great deal of admiration for the pilots who flied to their deaths willingly and passionately. There is here something deeply emotional, savage, passionate, strange and profoundly beautiful about them. They were sad in a way, but they were also real, credible and actual godlike heroes.
Most epic movies tend to portrait heroes who are not afraid to die and survive just in the last minute due to not very credible stunts. Here, you see very normal people. You see young men with girlfriends, brothers, sisters, parents and friends. One is a peasant. Other is a Baker, other a musician. They all feel a deep fear and their emotions are confused and mixed. Also, some of them are not convinced of the purpose of the suicidal tactics. However, in the end, they all fly to their deaths, and carry their mission. These are true human heroes. I suppose one may call them idiots or madmen from a western-pragmatic point if view, but out of respect and admiration, i would not call them that.
However, the big success of the movie is that they are very accurately described: they are common people: some are mislead, some are fanatics, but most of them are completely normal. And nevertheless, they do find the courage to accept a tragic destiny and die for their country and fellow countrymen.
So, yes, this is a strongly epic movie.
So, eternal greetings to the Gods of the Rising Sun. I hope they rest in peace.