Rating: 
Summary: a real pleasure to finally see "Last Samurai"!
Review: As someone who studies Japanese sword arts, I initially approached this movie with a lot of trepidation... then a number of my colleagues saw it and had nothing but compliments. Well, as usual, I missed it in the theaters but recently enjoyed it on DVD (thankfully, DVDs are now being released just months after the movie is on the big screen!)I liked this movie a lot. The cinematography was gorgeous. The acting ranged from good to excellent. Yes, the story was the same as any number of other movies, but so what? How often do we see a truly original movie storyline thse days? The treatment of the samurai and bushido was excellent, and the final battle (samurai vs cannons and guns) was truly horrific. A few negatives - Algren was far too proficient after just a few months of training. But I suppose this is akin to Daniel-san training with Miyagi-sensei for a few months and then defeating the tournament champion... I can stand it. I did feel the ending was a total cop-out, and weakened the horror of the final battle. (spoilers ahead!) Algren should have died with the samurai. It would have been equally believeable to have the emperor decide on a new course for Japan based on reports of the deaths of Katsumoto and the samurai (perhaps after seeing the photos taken) and much more powerful to see the Taka and the villagers mourning the loss of the samurai and their way of life. But then again, many people would have found such a realistic but unhappy ending distasteful and perhaps they have a point - sometimes we need to watch movies to escape reality, not be reminded of it. And I have to admit there's a part of me that likes the idea of the tortured Algren finding peace in rustic Japan. This is one I will be watching again.
Rating: 
Summary: Superb movie, Cruise deserves more credit
Review: The Last Samurai is every bit as good as you've generally heard. Everyone both in front of the camera and behind it has crafted an awesome experience here, especially Tom Cruise. That should go without saying, but reviews sometimes seem to deliberately attempt to downplay just how good a job he did here. In addition, Ken Watanabe does indeed also excel; the cinematography is beautiful; and the action sequences are top-notch. It should be noted I am neither a fan nor a detractor of Cruise and this happens to be the only movie that I own with him in it (though Minority Report may make it into the collection). Regardless of one's opinion of Cruise or of some creative historical moments, this is a beautiful, moving, epic movie and a must-own DVD for any collection.
Rating:
Summary: EPIC WAR MOVIE(beware spoilers)
Review: I have to agree with a previous reviewer. This is not Akira Kurasowa. If you want complete accuracy in regards to the Samurai society check out 'Ran'. If you want a great movie with beautiful scenery, great story, and HUGE battle scenes, watch this masterpiece. It fits perfectly in my collection between Braveheart, Glory, Dances with Wolves, and Saving Private Ryan....Epic. The only thing this movie is lite on is a little bit of reality. As mentioned in previous reviews there are some discrepancies in regards to history which I believe can be written off as artistic license. The only two parts I took issue with invloved the plot. Algren (Tom Cruise) effectivley neutralizing Samurai, and Ninja assasins. There is not much more dangerous combination in the history of mankind than a Samurai with his sword in hand. Secondly the end would have been better had the mentally tortured Algren found peace thru death on the battlefield with his newly adopted comrades. I think he may have been the only one to survive to deliver his anti-western message at the end. This shows he had not fully adopted the Samurai way. He should have taken his life on the field of battle as to avoid capture, as Katsumoto did. Honor and saving face were paramount in Samurai society. Regardless this movie is incredible and is essential for anyone into epic history/war movies. Theres even a little love thrown in for the ladies.
Rating:
Summary: 10 if that were an option.............
Review: FROM START TO FINISH, MR. ZWICK'S ENORMOUSLY BRILLIANT UNDERTAKING OF AN EPIC AND INSTANT CLASSIC, UNFOLDS IN SUCH SEAMLESS, BEAUTIFUL FASHION, THE 2 1/2 HOURS RUNNING TIME SEEMS ALL TO SHORT! TOM CRUISE, KEN WATANABE, TONY GOLDWYN, AND ALL THE GREAT CAST PLAY THEIE PARTS WITH SUCH EASE AS WELL AS BRILLIANCE, THAT EXCEPT FOR LORD OF THE RINGS RETURN OF THE KING, THIS FILM WOULD/SHOULD IN FACT WALKED AWAY WITH THE OSCARS! THE FINAL, SPECTACULAR BATTLE SEQUENCE IS AMONGST THE FINEST EVER FILMED-DEEPLY MOVING AND HEROIC AS WELL. THE DVD TRANSFER IS MAGNIFICENT AS IS THE AUDIO-1 COMPLAINT THOUGH-WARNER BROTHERS DVD GET WITH THE PROGRAM ALREADY, OK?? WHY NO DTS ON ONE OF YOUR MOST PRESTIGIOUS FILMS OF THE YEAR? CMON, WB I EXPECT MORE FROM WB PROBABLY THAN ANY OTHER COMPANY OUT THERE BUT THEY ARE TRULY BEHIND IN AUDIO AS FAR AS USING THE DTS FORMAT! THAT'S MY ONLY COMPLAINT WITH AN OTHERWISE MAGNIFICENT DVD OF A REMARKABLE FILM. DISC 2 IS JAMMED PACK WITH SO MANY GOOD EXTRAS, I'VE NOT HAD THE TIME TO VIEW ALL OF IT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE MOVIE OVER AND OVER! BRAVOS TO ALL INVOLVED.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Entertainment...
Review: If you loved Dances with Wolves, you'll love The Last Samurai. The two movies have the same storyline - they even occur in the same time-period. Just substitute Japanese for Native Americans. This movie is a good mass-entertainment. Japanese culture and history is dumbed-down for popular consumption. Don't quite expect the realism we find in Kurosawa films here. Like Dances with Wolves, this movie is painfully politically-correct. I assume that the filmmakers were forced to proceed under the assumption that American audiences might not know what the Samurai - or indeed, the Japanese - are. The unfortunate thing is that they are probably right. We stop at all the expected signposts along the way. The Tom Cruise character forms a growing love for the foreign, yet honorable, ways of the Samurai. We are treated to the pre-requisite attack by Ninjas. Fortunately, there are plenty of swordfights, but the level of realism is about the same as in Kill Bill (I know something of Japanese fencings and exchanges - like in Kurosawa films - are brief and deadly). The film looks great. Ken Watanabe gives a great performance as the eponymous Last Samurai. Luckily, through an eye-popping coincidence, his character happens to speak English. Tom Cruise does a better job than he was given credit for as the lead. This film succeeds as an entertainment. I am a sucker for Samurai films so - despite its being quite long - I was not bored. It's a good, big-budget, action epic.
Rating:
Summary: A Path For The Samurai...
Review: I always was interested in the idea and ideals of the Samurai, but no one movie can envelope as much as this one. Others, like Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, tend to only cover the ideals but twist the images we all have with the word "Samurai" by urbanizing it or whatever. This movie is great all around, of course there are things that someone will complain about, but I am completely satisfied with this film. Every actor/actress (Cruise, Watanabe, etc.) pull off each roll so believably, that you tend to either want or plain out give all your attention to this path that the Samurai take. The fighting is great because it shows the actually processes that original Samurai used to both follow, show, and perform in their everyday lives. Some of the images are straight out of a dream or a book about the Samurai. The areas are just gorgeous. The foreign actors, also bring a whole new respect to all others through this film. Overall this film is very emotional for some, but most of all, a tribute to the image and values of the Samurai. Hope you like it just as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I am speechless this has to be one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Defiantly should have been an all round Oscar winner in my eyes.
Rating:
Summary: The Last Samurai...Why not Best Picture 2003 ?
Review: After seeing all of the movies nominated for Best Picture 2003, and just watching The Last Samurai last night, I feel that this movie (not to mention its actors)was greatly overlooked by the Academy. Cruise is spectacular as the disillusioned 7th Cavalry Captain who finds his place among Katsumoto's (Ken Watanabe..who should have won an Oscar as well)rebel band of samurai's who are fighting to keep their tradition alive in a time when Japan is looking to become more westernized. This movie has a little bit of something in it for everyone and I highly recommend it...
Rating: 
Summary: Hackneyed, sophomoric, cliche-driven mediocrity
Review: Beautifully filmed - could be deserving of an oscar for cinematography. But the story - argh! The story! - such schlock! Such triteness! Such utterly lacking not only in originality, it didn't even try to bother with putting some kind of creative spin on the rehashing of old stories. And of course the ubiquitous "Man is healed up by the wife of the man he killed and at first she hates him but slowly they fall in love because he shows kindness to her son" yada yada yada blah blah blah ad nauseum. And as is typical, Cruise acts about as well as a puppet being controlled by a drunkard with palsy. Why does this guy continue to get movie roles? Oh yeah, he'll draw people into the movie so the movie will make money. If it were me, and I were making a movie, Cruise would be my last choice. I'd rather havea good movie I could be proud of then have "star power" to lure people into the theater. And let's not even get into the fact that this story takes place at a pivotal moment in Japan's history - a very sad moment in time - and the film does no justice to significance of the end of the samurai except in a trite cliche way that no doubt appeals to the illformed emotional status of sophomores. I went into this movie with excitement - in previews, it definitely looked beautifully filmed, and I'd heard that some Japanese historians helped with it to keep it pure and on target historically. I thought, against the fact that Cruise is in it, it would manage to pull itself up and be something really special. Sadly, it didn't. It might be historically accurate (in some ways), but being historically accurate is nowhere near the same as being historically relevant and sensitive. Well, it tried. But it didn't try very much. Overblown, overhyped, and over-rated sadly acted (except for the Japanese actors - all wonderful!) and poorly written script. And though the cinematography even sometimes tends towards clicheness, it is overall quite excellent and a pleasure to watch.
Rating:
Summary: Live by the sword, die by the sword
Review: The year is 1876. Tom Cruise portrays Captain Nathan Algren, a Civil War era soldier who is disillusioned with life and is haunted by his dishonorable actions perpetrated against the American Indian nations. Facing an uncertain and directionless future, he is asked to travel to Japan to assist in training their Imperial army in modern combat using modern weapons. This comes at a time in history when Japan is attempting to obliterate the Samurai system. After much training and eventually engaging in an initial battle against the Samurai, Captain Algren is taken prisoner by the enemy and thrust into the unfamiliar world of a Japanese feudal society. In the following months of captivity, Captain Algren becomes immersed in the Samurai culture where he eventually adapts to and embraces the sacred code of honor known as Bushido. Using what he has learned and regaining his self-respect and dignity, Captain Algren and the Samurai confront the Japanese army in an epic and final battle that will determine the survival or demise of the Samurai warrior class. I'm of the opinion that this role is not a career best for Tom Cruise but he does come across admirably and carries himself well. The rest of the cast also performs very nicely and the story holds together for the movie's duration. The cinematography, costumes, props, and scenery are all quite appealing through and through. Open field battle scenes are beautifully choreographed and practically rival those of such movies as Braveheart, Glory, and The Patriot. In regards to the DVD itself, the sound and picture are crystal clear and a joy to experience. The second disk in the set offers numerous special features which are both educational and entertaining alike. This is a quality adventure movie all the way around and I recommend it to everyone.
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