TV REVIEW: SHOGUN (Miniseries)

4/5

The Last Shōgun.

10 Episodes. Starring: Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, Takehiro Hira, Tommy Bastow & Fumi Nikaido. Created By: Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks. On: Disney +.

Just like the 'Seven Samurai' of Japanese legend Akira Kurosawa have influenced everything from 'Star Wars' to the latest Zack Snyder 'Rebel Moon' awakening, intended force. Great Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada has inspired Hollywood, from Marvel movies to Snyder's 'Army Of The Dead'. Ever since he made his across the ocean breakthrough in Tom Cruise's 'The Last Samurai', alongside fellow Japanese legend in Hollywood, Ken Watanabe, from Christopher Nolan movies to Stateside versions of 'Godzilla' himself. Now over two decades later, as Watanabe stars in the second season of the yakuza detective drama 'Tokyo Vice', Sanada steals the spotlight in the hallmark Hulu historical drama 'Shōgun', a Star streaming Fearless FX drama on Disney Plus. Ten top episodes of this epic miniseries mesmerize and make it one of the most meaningful and monumental ones of 2024. A game of thrones and royal appointments to behold as heads roll for something bigger and more burdensome than a mere hollow crown. Carrying more poetic meaning like the quoting of 'One Hundred Poets. One Poem Each'. Now the only question remains in this age of 'Poor Things' and award winners. What's the best new expression for, you know what? "Pillowing", or "Furious Jumping?"

Created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, and adapted from James Clavell's 1975 novel and a 1980s fellow miniseries of the same name, this American historical drama set on the shores of Japan is no whitewashed affair, not fully understanding the Japanese way in all their time, tide and traditions, even in the terrific title sequence and searing score. 'Calm With Horses', 'Lady Macbeth' and 'Persuasion' breakout star Cosmo Jarvis makes sure of that, as you will come to understand just like his well-intended, but at times fumbling, yet compellingly and completely human character does. It's a high watermark acting achievement for Cosmo. No longer lost in translation, next to Anna Sawai and their somewhat subtle, but undeniably combustible chemistry. Expect Emmys for Anna, who after starring in 'Annie', 'Giri/Haji' and 'F9' from the 'Fast and the Furious' franchise is a star of right now. Holding all her grace and poise in a deep and commanding performance that shows how far we've come. Damsel? Are you trying to distress us? You haven't seen heroines wrote this broadly or beautifully in Japan since Ghibli in the 80s, let alone the rest of the watching world that will be in awe. If you want to understand more about the life of Japanese people and the faces they choose, or refuse to share. Look no further than how she puts love and marriage into perspective. Or life itself, when the ground shifting under your feet in the Far East could dictate your fate at any second. As real and authentic as it gets.

Putting it perfectly, Sawai steals the show, even from the legendary Sanada, who from the science-fiction of life, to the crossing genres of the feudal 'Westworld', is as versatile as they come in Hollywood. 'Mortal Kombat' made him a recognizable face, even behind that mask. His Lord Toranaga will make him a household name...on any plain. Take Tadanobu Asano's complex character too, and you have an even deeper and darker role for another Japanese talent whose made his name in America thanks to Marvel movies (he's one of Thor's merry men), Martin Scorsese's 'Silence' (he's similar to another character in that movie), Jared Leto's 'The Outsider' on Netflix, 'Battleship', '47 Ronin', and 'Mortal Kombat' with Hiroyuki. A tenacious Takehiro Hira, terrific Tommy Bastow and formidable Fumi Nikaido (she'll straight scare you with her stronghold) round out the rest of the classic cast in this slow burner that makes you earn the holy trinity of its harrowing and haunting last three big episodes that may just break you. The military minds of this art of war, study more strategy than just classic combat scenes, but there's enough amazing action to keep you sated and satisfied. Still, if you were expecting a big battle in this crimson tide, don't be disappointed. This favourable show is not just for decadent display. It's a fable about forging peace and a new world order, just like Japan did, especially in the face of a world at war today. You only need to watch the Oscar winning Best Picture of 'Oppenheimer', that's finally made its way to Japan after a long and justified delay, to see all that war has done to this nation and the rest of the healing world. And how much we sometimes need to pull back instead of draw our swords for a second. From beautiful moments of deep dives, to pulling ships from the sea, you can see there's a peace in the stillness we all could do with savouring. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'The Last Samurai', 'Game Of Thrones', 'Tokyo Vice'.