'47 Ronin' wields double-edged sword - Boston Herald

“47 RONIN” Rated PG-13. At AMC Loews Boston Common, Regal Fenway Stadium and suburban theaters. Grade: C-

Anyone eager for a picturesque, illustrated comic book adventure about ancient Japan, magical witches, with lots of swinging swords and info about the honorable way to die — Hint: It involves a sword — need only see “47 Ronin.”

Anyone who might want characters and not cliches, compelling dialogue and an intriguing scenario, look elsewhere.

With an estimated $175 million budget, “47 Ronin” should offer lots more than decapitated heads, elaborate CGI effects and unnecessary 3-D.

With its sizable Japanese cast awkwardly speaking English and a top-billed, bearded Keanu Reeves as Kai, a “half breed,” “47 Ronin” isn’t bad enough to provoke giggles, only boredom.

Supposedly “inspired” by the ritual suicide of 47 ronin (leaderless samurai) that is honored by a Japanese holiday, the too familiar scenario revolves around a power struggle between a smarmy upstart and the venerable ruler whom he easily eliminates with help from a beautiful shape-changing witch.

The ruler’s obnoxious heir could never listen to Reeves’ Kai because he was a “half breed,” which, never defined, must mean half-Japanese and half something else.

The heir must skedaddle, leaving­ a beautiful would-be bride to the smarmy usurper. But first he’s thrown into a pit for a year and Kai is sold to pirates who pit him against various giants in rousing fights to the death.

Before anyone can say, “Revenge is mine,” these two former enemies unite to save the virgin bride and kill their rivals.

But because the mighty shogun’s word is law, this means they are doomed if they disobey him to seek revenge.

So once they dispatch their enemies including that awful witch, all 47 kill themselves honorably.

Handsome costumes, scenic (if computer generated) locations and a thundering score aren’t enough to make these “47 Ronin” come alive.

(“47 Ronin” keeps its decapitations and disembowelments off screen and vivid beatings and elaborate monsters on screen.)