Is NOBUNAGA -The Will to Power- Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2016)

📖 The Core Premise

NOBUNAGA -The Will to Power- returns to the screen in 2016, bringing a fresh narrative to the various 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. "Japan is at war with itself. At Okehazama, Oda Nobunaga of Owari, rumored to be a fool, spectacularly defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto of Mikawa as he was leading a much larger host than Nobunaga's toward the capital city, Miyako. Nobunaga has decided to take Yoshimoto's place and lead his own forces to Miyako, so he is compelled to ally with the Azai clan in order to suppress Mino, a province lying between Owari and Miyako, by having his younger sister Oichi wed Nagamasa, the Azai clan's sucessor. However, Mino is also the birthplace of Nobunaga's wife, Kichou. Her former retainers and people are in Mino, and Kichou is vehemently opposed to the province's destruction, even if it is now in the hands of an enemy who overthrew her father, Saitou Dousan. But Nobunaga, who has embarked upon his path to conquest, holds to his course."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Masaki Ryū feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is NOBUNAGA -The Will to Power- worth your time? If you appreciate various 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, NOBUNAGA -The Will to Power- misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 150 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.