Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai Movie Information

Movie Information

Overall Rank: 2950

Average Rating: 2.8/4

# of Ratings: 82

Theatrical Release Date: 03/03/2000

Language: English

Genre: Crime, Drama

MPAA Rating: R

Director: Jim Jarmusch

Actors: Forest Whitaker, Cliff Gorman, Henry Silva, Dennis Liu, John Tormey, Richard Portnow

Plot: A solitary modern day samuria who uses a gun instead of a sword is a hit man that is being chased after by the mob itself.

Quick Movie Reviews

Rating of
4/4

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/18/2019

As inspired as it is unconventional, "Ghost Dog" is brilliant.

Rating of
3/4

Chris Kavan - wrote on 07/28/2013

It's classic Kurosawa samurai action set in a modern-day city. Forest Whitaker is excellent as the relatively silent warrior living by his own code, following a mob boss who saved his life. The pacing is slow, but I believe this is deliberate as the film has an almost lyrical quality punctuated by intense violence. Stick with it, because it's worth the effort.

Rating of
3.5/4

mitchellyoung - wrote on 08/02/2011

Jim Jarmusch crafts a modern-day homage to both "Man in Black" westerns and Kurosawa samurai films. The simple story structure is deceiving, because the film manages to explore themes of virtue and honor, but it does so with conserved dialogue, striking visual images, and a masterful use of soundtrack.

Full Movie Reviews

Daniel Corleone
Daniel Corleone
Movie God

Rating of
3.5/4

Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 05/16/2013

Sometimes...you gotta stick with the ancient ways. The old-school ways." Definitely one of the best from the underrated director. Ghost Dog (Whitaker) was tasked to kill Handsome Frank by retainer his Louie (John Tormey), who saved his life a few years back. Frank was sleeping with daughter (Tricia Vessey) of the mafia boss Vargo (Henry Silva). Ghost Dog introduces a Haitian ice cream salesman named Raymond (Isaach De Bankolé) who speaks only French to a girl named girl named Pearline (Camille Winbush). The plot involves gangsters and various ethnicity. The soundtrack was diverse and timely while the performances were wonderful. The positive aspect of the film lie heavilly on the screenplay with lines: " Don't you worry about nothing. Everything happens for a reason." - Ghost …

Yojimbo
Yojimbo
Movie God

Rating of
3.5/4

"Ghost Dog: Way Of The Samurai" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 12/17/2011

A solitary, bird loving hitman is targeted by his own employer but his code of honour prevents him from direct retaliation. Ghost Dog is probably Jim Jarmusch's most accessible film but is still a quirky and off beat affair that feels all the world like a Hip Hop version of a Takeshi Kitano gangster film. Forest Whitaker cuts an imposing figure who is like a modern day pigeon fancying Yojimbo who has chosen to live by the Samurai code in modern day America. It's a very low key film that combines amusingly oddball characters (especially the inept, bigoted and hypocritical "stupid f***ing white men" who clearly don't deserve his loyalty), black humour and understated violence to great effect. Add a soundtrack by the RZA that perfectly compliments the mood of the film and you have a rather …

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