Is The Notorious Bored Samurai 3 Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1989)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of The Notorious Bored Samurai 3 (1989), audiences are invited back into the world of Action, Drama, History. 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. "One night, Sawatari Shusui saves a geisha named Osode from a ninja attack. Osode's mother is said to be carrying the child of the shogun, Tsunayoshi, and has hidden herself on Hachijo Island. Shusui heads to Hachijo to verify the truth. Meanwhile, Shusui had heard from Tsunayoshi that he was planning to appoint the Kofu Chancellor, Tokugawa Tsunatoyo, as the next shogun, but Sumi's father, Makino Bizen no Kami, whose daughter was pregnant with Tsunayoshi's child, was planning to have his daughter's child ascend to the shogunate and seize real power. Amidst all this, Shusui, along with Osode and his servant, Sasao Yoshinari , sets foot on Hachijo Island and meets Tsunayoshi's son, Kotaro, who was born to Osode's mother. But then a group of ninjas attacks."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Kinya Kitaoji attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Action. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Notorious Bored Samurai 3 worth your time? If you appreciate Action, Drama, History 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, The Notorious Bored Samurai 3 misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 91 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.