Kinji Fukasaku may have only appeared on the international radar relatively recently with Battle Royal, but the prolific director had enjoyed massive success in his own territory with Legend of the Eight Samurai, which had been a massive hit, both with audiences and critics. Previously available for English speakers in an abridged and dubbed form, it now returns in all its glory. Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t live up to expectations.

Despite lavish costumes, high production values and good pedigree (it’s based on popular Japanese stories), it takes two and a quarter hours to disappoint, having never reached the potential that its story promised. Samurai against ancient curses and demons? There is an excellent scene with a giant rubber millipede, and a monstrous snake, but that’s all you’re getting. For the most part, it’s merely a lot of talking, followed by bursts of swordplay action that lack flair, and more importantly, blood. There is a little gore on display, but a million samurai movies have portrayed the art of bushido with, literally, more guts.

Worst of all is the music, which almost ruins the whole experience. A synthesised ‘orchestral’ score blasts out endlessly over dialogue, reducing whole conversations to melodramatic rubble. Worst offence to the ears of all is committed by John O’Banian, who sings English language power ballads during the opening and closing credits, and over a lengthy love scene that is so softcore, it’s positively runny.

The Legend of the Eight Samurai has its moments, and the final battle is definitely worth seeing, but by the time it comes around, it’s hard to feel enthused. Fans of the genre will probably have fun, but a better way to spend two and a bit hours would be to watch the highlights of Shogun Assassin and Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain instead.