The Vow of Kai and Mika

"...that all we can ask is that we leave it having loved, and being loved." 

from the novelization of "47 Ronin" by Joan D Vinge

I love the epic 47 Ronin.  It was sheer visual splendour.  I've always been fascinated with stories that have shape shifters, sorcerers and witches. The CGI effects was done just right, not over-the-top.

I don't totally disagree when people say Keanu Reeves's acting is "wooden", or that he and Kou Shibasaki who played his love interest in the movie, lacks chemistry.

In spite of that, I still enjoyed the film that depicts courage, loyalty and honour.  Such qualities are indeed rare.

The tale is about a band of samurai warriors who lost their master, and became a ronin.  They vowed to avenge their master's death, even if it meant they would eventually have to die to achieve this. To garner such steadfast loyalty, Lord Asano must have been a leader who had earned the respect of his men.

But what stirred me even more was the vow made by Kai (played by Keanu Reeves) and Mika (Kou Shibasaki).

Kai said: "I will search for you through a thousand worlds, and 10,000 lifetimes until I find you."

"And I will wait for you in all of them..." was Mika's reply.

It may be mushy, but that scene just melts my heart.  What if.... they do come back, and in all the lifetimes, they came back in different forms with multiple character flaws?  For instance, Kai came back as handsome as his former self but he isn't the gallant warrior anymore.  He's a selfish bloke with pent-up angst and anger.  And he doesn't treat women with much respect.

And Mika was reincarnated not as her former virtuous nor ravishing self, but someone with tonnes of negative traits.  But because of the vow, they meet again.  Will true love prevail and stand the test of time?

I would love to think YES.  True love will conquer all, no?