Is ATERUI Worth Watching?
Honest Review & Verdict (2017)

📖 The Core Premise

ATERUI returns to the screen in 2017, bringing a fresh narrative to the History, Music genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Published by Kodansha in 1999, Katsuhiko Takahashi's 2000 Yoshikawa Eiji Literature prize-winning novel Fiery Enmity: Hero of the North (The Legend of Aterui) will be adapted to the stage. In the 8th century, while expanding its dominion to the Tohoku area, the Yamato Imperial Court seeks to conquer Ezo. Aterui, the young leader of Ezo, stands up to protect his hometown and joins forces with his allies in the hopes of defeating the imperial forces. However, triumph leads to more battles and before long, the fate of the Emishi people falls into the hands of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, the imperial army's trump card. Aterui's drive to protect the pride of the Emishi people will be entangled in fierce battle within this spectacular musical work."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In ATERUI, Makoto Rei delivers a performance that attempts to elevate the material. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good History. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is ATERUI worth your time? If you appreciate History, Music films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, ATERUI is a mixed bag to the genre. With a runtime of N/A minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.