Bunraku (2010)

  This was better than I had heard it was.  I will tell you now, if you don't like hyper-stylized pop-up book styling, you probably will not like this movie.  Plot-wise, it's very archetypal with characters put in just to play stereotypes like the Star-Crossed Lovers, the Virgin, the Cowboy, and the Hero.  Do not come for the plot.  Come for the color and the design.

In a post-apocalyptic world where guns are outlawed, there is a town run by Nicola, the Woodcutter (Ron Perlman).  He and his gang of nine Killers offer anyone control by challenge, but with ruthless Killer #2 (Kevin McKidd) on his side, Nicola's reign is long.  Then, a mysterious Drifter (Josh Hartnett), a cowboy without a gun, and Yoshi (Gackt), a samurai without a sword, both swing into town. Each man is looking for something.  Yoshi wants to recover a gold medallion stolen from his family.  The Drifter wants revenge.  The Bartender (Woody Harrelson) wants them to work together and bring freedom to the town. 

As far as characters go, I'm actually fond of seeing Josh Hartnett as a badass.  It worked well for him in Lucky Number Slevin and in Sin City.  I like him more with a bit of extra humor but I can't fault him here.  Kevin McKidd is very effective as creepy cold-blooded Killer #2.  Demi Moore is utterly wasted as Nicola's unwilling consort.  I really don't know why she took this gig as there wasn't a whole lot for her to do and her scenes are among the movie's weakest.

Visually, the film is extremely inventive with great styling.  The backgrounds look like folded paper and all the scenery is reminiscent of a pop-up book.  Bunraku itself is an ancient Japanese tradition of storytelling through puppets.  I was kind of looking forward to seeing some puppet work but the only thing wooden in here is Demi's acting.  ZING! 

Sorry, I couldn't resist that one.