MovieChat Forums > The Sensei (2008) Discussion > Just viewed film...

Just viewed film...

posted 16 years ago by cynder-gray
2 replies | jump to latest

I just viewed the semi-completed film at the Alaska Film Festival.

The director indicated the version we saw was a pre-release DVD version without the final musical score some additional editing and definitely not in high-definition. The final is being shopped for distribution.

First impression, the movie builds slowly and methodically. Each character and story line is developed into the central message of tolerance and unexpected outcomes.

Lasting impression is one of hope. Even when I think about it now, the film makes me feel good.

A previous commenter stated that this is a gay karate kid. I wouldn't entirely disagree but the film doesn't exactly follow storyline. It involves a lot more complicated and adult situations and seeks to find resolution that is more in keeping with reality than most family films.

The movie is very well acted and supported. After a few minutes of character development it's hard to remember it's an independent film.

[–] doubting_thomas 14 years ago

i picked this up without having heard of it before.

i can't speak highly enough of this film.

as a martial arts film, it is one of the few that are about the core philosophies of martial arts, up there with jet li's fearless (director's cut, not the abbreviated butchered remains known as the "unrated" version).

as an action movie, if you want eye-candy mind-blowing film violence, skip this, that's not what it's about. but if you admire realism and technique, it's very good, but still not what it's about

as a drama....

wow.

[–] whatsyourboggle 14 years ago

Just finished watching it for the first time, at long last, and I have to say I'm very impressed. I didn't realise it was an independant film but commented to a friend that it felt like one, albeit a very good quality one. The acting is brilliant, the way it's done, like the initial beating at the start, the way it's edited really added to the emotional impact of the people involved. Would have liked if the antagonists were shown in a more human light, I felt it was too easy to hate them for treating others so badly when to my mind it's understandable, people lash out at what they're afraid of. Aside from that, very tastefully handled, given the theme. Not something I'd likely watch again any time soon, but something I'd recommend to most of my friends and most strangers :p

Kung fu movies are like porn. There's 1 on 1, then 2 on 1, then a group scene...