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"Remind Me, Again.
What's A Ronin?" |
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Directed by John
Frankenheimer - Written
by J.D. Zeik, David
Mamet
Starring Robert DeNiro,
Jean Reno, Natascha
McElhone, Jonathan Pryce
Distributed by United
Artists - 1998 - 121mins
- Rated R |
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Loyalty is bought, betrayal is a way of life. |
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I could
begin this review by telling you about the fast and furious action of
"Ronin." I could also begin my mentioning the superb direction of John
Frankenheimer. I could begin by mentioning the subtle and excellent
performances by Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno. I could begin by
mentioning how technically perfect it is. Hell, I could begin the way
everyone else seems to: "Ronin" has the single greatest car chase ever
contributed to film.
Ronin were masterless Samurai who roamed Japan looking for work. This
term describes the men in this film. They are former special forces
and military who lost their careers after the Cold War and now work as
mercenaries for the highest bidder. They are hired by an employer
without an identity to steal a briefcase that contains something that
is unknown to the team. Who are they working for? Why does he want the
case? What's in the case? We never know, and we have no need to know.
It's like the case in "Pulp Fiction," or one of Hitchcock's MacGuffins.
the point of the film is not what's in the case, but the fact that
someone wants it.
The battle over the case spreads all over Europe. From small towns and
country roads to the streets or Paris and an Ice Skating rink. The
action in "Ronin" blows the competition right out of the water. The
action is bloody, fast and takes no prisoners in it's realism and
depiction of the collateral damage that comes with every shootout. It
features not one, but two car chases, the first one being brilliant,
and the second being the above-mentioned, best ever. "Ronin" is simply
the best film of it's type, no contest.
Frankenheimer, who directed "The Manchurian Candidate" years before
this, is no stranger to making a great thriller. His maturity, and
decision to use only real cars and realy stunts makes this film.
Simply put, "Ronin" is a modern classic. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
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Me! |
TC Candler's Comment
This is a
really exciting heist movie with tons of moody
atmosphere. Frankenheimer has fashioned a truly
involving film with a European feel. Ronin also
features the greatest car chase that I have ever
seen... better than "Bullitt" and better than
"The French Connection".
Richard Propes' Comment
n/a
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