I suppose this movie had great potential; however, none of
it was actually realized. The movie is set medieval China; the plot revolves about
Ginga, a young girl who decides to join the Emperor's staff of wives (hey, it's
three meals a day, after all). However, all is not well in the palace: the old
Emperor has just died, and the rumors say that "natural causes" won't
cover it this time. The new Emperor's authority is being undermined by his relatives,
who want to put their own Emperor on the throne. These are definitely "interesting
times", as the old proverb goes.
Unfortunately, the movie itself
is just not all that interesting. The plot skips from one part to the next without
any apparent planning. First this happens, then that happens, then something else
happens... It feels like a third-grader's book report. We are obviously supposed
to care for the characters, but we are never given any reason to do so. And, while
some of the reviews on the Web are calling this movie "historical",
it's simply not realistic or detailed enough to merit the title. The dated art
and music don't help matters, either.
Perhaps this
movie would have been better if it were developed into a full-scale OVA. There
is certainly enough potential material there to produce a 13-episode series: intrigue,
hardships, love... However, as it stands, the movie is bland and pointless. Watching
it feels like cramming with Cliff's Notes for some boring test which you will
just forget the next day.
(1.5)
