Is Yoshitsune and the Fox Spirit: A Cherry Blossom Fantasy Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2018)

📖 The Core Premise

Yoshitsune and the Fox Spirit: A Cherry Blossom Fantasy returns to the screen in 2018, 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. "Yoshitsune was once a hero, a genius strategist who defeated the Heike. But his older brother Yoritomo regarded him as dangerous and betrayed him, and now Yoshitsune is on the run. He flees aimlessly until one day, completely lost, he meets a young woman named Tsune who can turn into a fox. He says he will grant the woman one favor if, in exchange, she will lead him and his follower Benkei through the blinding snow to her hidden village.There Yoshitsune and Benkei take a much-needed rest, but when they try to leave, they become lost in the snow. No matter how many times they try, they always end up back at the village. The villagers laugh and say this is Tsune's magic — it gives the village eternal refuge from the world. Meanwhile, Yoritomo is searching for the entrance to the village in order to capture Yoshitsune. Will Yoshitsune be able to shake off both his pursuer Yoritomo, and the magic of Tsune, in order to return to the outside world where the cherry blossoms bloom...?"

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Yoshitsune and the Fox Spirit: A Cherry Blossom Fantasy, even the presence of Jun Asami struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. 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 Yoshitsune and the Fox Spirit: A Cherry Blossom Fantasy 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, Yoshitsune and the Fox Spirit: A Cherry Blossom Fantasy misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 140 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.