In the realm of cinema, “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai stands out as a unique and original dialogue. This movie is a masterpiece from Jim Jarmusch,a collaboration with Forest Whitaker, and I was woven into the film itself is truly remarkable. It’s soundtrack serves to underscore Ghost Dog’s action, adding an eerie, atmospheric tension builds, creating a rhythm that enhances the viewing experience.
For quite some time, I’ve had an idea brewing. It revolves around the fact that I have a deep admiration for Forest Whitaker. I’ve penned down pieces about his finest acting roles, and I rarely miss out on any project he takes part in.
It’s worth mentioning that some of his movies, at first glance, might not appear to translate well into written form. For instance, consider a movie in which he portrays a samurai assassin pondering the code of Bushido.
If you’ve already seen the movie, then you know I’m talking about the 1999 cult classic, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. It’s my favorite Forest Whitaker movie by far, and I have 5 reasons why.
First Off, It Is The Strangest, Most Bizarre “Action” Movie You Will Probably Ever See
In many aspects, labeling “Ghost Dog” strictly as an “action movie” seems somewhat resistant. More commonly, it’s referred to as a “crime drama film,” and I can understand why. However, much like how most samurai movies are categorized as action films, I believe “Ghost Dog” deserves a place in that same category.
Indeed, what sets “Ghost Dog” apart is its distinctive nature. It skillfully blends elements of a contemporary samurai tale with those of a powerful mafia storyline, creating an unprecedented cinematic experience that has no equal in its genre.
The narrative revolves around a hitman with mafia ties, who adheres to the code of the samurai. He often finds solace on rooftops and utilizes homing pigeons for communication. Upon receiving an assignment, he executes it with both precision and panache. For instance, when embarking on a mission to eliminate a fellow Made Man, he eliminates his associates in the most stylish manner imaginable, performing moves that seem to be in hyper-speed.
When he practices his sword skills atop a roof, it’s quite an amazing spectacle – he’s so swift in his movements that it seems more like he’s sparring with an invisible opponent instead of actually wielding his sword.
The film “Ghost Dog” is exceptionally gripping throughout, and though it may seem peculiar at first, it weaves an intriguing tale featuring Forest Whitaker as a samurai character, a concept that might initially strike you as unbelievable. However…
The Idea Of Forest Whitaker As A Modern Day Samurai Seems Ridiculous At First. Until You Watch The Film
Back in 1999, a remarkable year for cinema, I was captivated by films such as Fight Club and The Blair Witch Project, often missing out on hidden gems like Ghost Dog and The Talented Mr. Ripley at the movie theater.
Instead, I acquired it from the classic Blockbuster Video store, and I’ve been a fan of it ever since. Even the cover art made me chuckle. It’s rather ordinary, depicting Forest Whitaker in a hood, but there’s also a mystical, blue aura around him, and the title, “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai“, with the tagline, “Live by the code. Die by the code.” is quite intriguing.
By the early 2000s, I was already familiar with Forest Whitaker, having seen him in movies like Platoon, Species, and Phenomenon. Around 2006, I caught up on Ghost Dog, and had also watched him in Phone Booth, Panic Room, and the less-than-impressive Battlefield Earth. What was clear to me was that Forest Whitaker wasn’t a samurai in real life.
But then, I watched Ghost Dog, and all I could think was, holy crap, he actually pulled it off.
In a departure from the conventional samurai character and film, Ghost Dog exhibits an urban vibe. The title character appears to be shaped by his surroundings yet remains distinctively detached from them, making him uniquely intriguing. In this portrayal, you can genuinely sense that he considers himself a samurai, and that conviction alone makes it compelling.
The mob circles him are puzzled by him yet oddly tolerant of his presence. It’s a film that wouldn’t succeed unless the mood was perfectly pitched, and somehow, it is. I believe much of this success can be attributed to the soundtrack, which I’ll discuss further ahead.
The Soundtrack By The RZA Is A Hidden Gem
I’m absolutely passionate about the Wu-Tang Clan, with RZA being my favorite member. By the 2000s, I was fully immersed in all things related to Wu-Tang, so it wasn’t just the albums that showcased the Clan that I was buying, but also side projects like Killarmy, Sunz of Man, Gravediggaz, and La the Darkman. To name just a few!
As a die-hard Wu-Tang Clan fan, when RZA’s “Ghost Dog” soundtrack dropped, I simply had to get my hands on it. In fact, I was grooving to its beats even before I saw the movie itself. Trust me on this one, if you’re a fellow Wu-head, then the “Ghost Dog” soundtrack is an absolute must-listen!
There are several bangers on this album, and it’s all interlaced with lines from the film.
I was familiar with the entire “Ghost Dog” soundtrack, but its use within the movie itself is intriguing. Many of the rhythmic elements appear independently from the lyrics in the film, yet the action is emphasized at points where lyrics would typically be heard, creating an unusual technique.
Moreover, the narrative incorporates significant elements of rap culture, as certain characters are depicted as rappers themselves, such as an intriguing scene where Ghost Dog fires a gun into a man’s sink while he raps.
In numerous aspects, the soundtrack by RZA gives an unusual world a sense of believability, a challenging task indeed.
There Is Genuinely Excellent Wisdom In This Movie
During the movie, Ghost Dog frequently recites phrases from Yamamoto Tsunetomo’s book, “Hagakure.” Initially, I found this rather preposterous due to his unique way of speaking these lines. However, as the film progresses, you begin to truly appreciate the depth of what he’s saying.
As a gamer, I can’t help but draw parallels to my own journey. Just as in the film, I strive to be independent yet loyal, carving my path while following the game’s rules until the very end. The climax is a perfect example of this balance. The movie also delves into profound thoughts on existence, and a line that particularly resonated with me is, “Our characters are born from nothingness.” It’s simple, yet it challenges the way I perceive gaming and life itself, giving it a deeply existential feel.
But here’s an intriguing point: “To be present in a void is the essence of the term ‘form is emptiness’. It means that everything derives from nothingness. The idea ‘Emptiness is form’ also implies that they are not two distinct entities.
Initially, I found myself pausing the film to ponder over the dialogue, which isn’t something I typically do while watching a movie featuring Forest Whitaker as a samurai assassin. To be honest, I wasn’t anticipating such introspection when I first put this film on, that much is clear.
Ghost Dog Is Unlike Any Other Movie In Jim Jarmusch Or Whitaker’s Entire Careers
To conclude, what makes “Ghost Dog” my preferred Forest Whitaker film is that it stands out uniquely within both Whitaker’s and Jim Jarmusch’s collection of films.
Notably, Whitaker doesn’t limit himself to any particular role. He delivered a commanding performance as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland, and he was equally imposing as Saw Gerrera in my preferred Star Wars film, Rogue One.
Although Whitaker has an extensive range of roles (and it appears he often plays cops), there’s nothing quite like the movie “Ghost Dog” in his film repertoire. This unique production stands out as a remarkable piece by a renowned actor, and the fact that director Jim Jarmusch doesn’t have anything similar in his portfolio just adds to its charm.
Jarmusch stands out as one of our most intriguing directors, and this movie might just be his quirkiest (and most delightful), which speaks volumes coming from the person behind the camera in “Dead Man.
And, that’s the list. If you haven’t seen Ghost Dog yet, please do so. It’s one of a kind!
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2024-11-24 02:08