Rating: 
Summary: Even Cruise can't spoil great samurai movie
Review: We are huge fans of Japanese historical films and samurai epics ("Seven Samurai" being the Valhalla of the genre)so we lined up early to see "Last Samurai." I had seen the reviews with mixed feelings, fearful that Cruise's "Top Gun" arrogance would crash through the culture like a Hummer.As it turned out, the Japanese cast led by Ken Watanbe keeps Cruise under control. It was a little troubling to see Cruise's character completely master Katana technique and Iai waza in a single season, but I guess he had to to keep the plot moving. Also, Cruise is a bit like Milton Berle - he has to be the last man off of every scene. But Watanabe steals the movie and the supporting cast is terrific. For once, Cruise doesn't seduce the woman who is forced to keep him in her house, and she complains that he smells bad. In the end, the movie is a spectacular paen to Bushido culture. (I haven't yet asked an old friend of mine who survived Bataan what he thought of this movie). The movie tackles a tricky and contradictory period of Japanese history, the great inner conflict between modernists (who won) and the feudalists, who probably were not all noble. But heck, its the action scenes which are worth enduring Tom Cruise, and I sure liked watching him get pummeled by Watanabe's No. 2. If Japan rejected the West as the movie ultimately indicates, it sure didn't last long. In this respect, it has a strong similarilty to "Dances With Wolves", not only for its worshipful depiction of a dying culture, but favoring the twilight over the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Oscar-Caliber But An Excellent Adventure Nonetheless
Review: I dunno. Some of Tom Cruise's films really blow like Eyes Wide Shut and Days Of Thunder. But I loved this one. Mainly because I like films that deal with military history. This is a James Clavell Shogun-type movie with a twist where an outsider (American in this case) becomes involved with the poiltics of Japanese society.In this story we have Cruise's Character Capt. Nathan Algren who grows disenfranchised with himself and seeks self-redemption by going to Japan to train the modernized Japanese army. Then during a battle he is captured by the last remnants of the Samurai class and learns their way of life. I dont want to ruin the ending of the film but Cruise's character really evolves throughout the film and you see many personal conflicts he must face. So now I'm waiting to buy the DVD. I already own the picture book which I recommend as well.
Rating:
Summary: The last of the Samurai movies!
Review: If the movie is bad, the audience start going for the exit when the titles start rolling. Not with this one. (...)I saw The Last Samurai with my Japanese wife and daughter. I wanted to clap my hands while the titles roll. But everybody was so still in their sits. I take that as a sign of acceptance from the Japanese audience.My wife cannot wait for the release date of the DVD in Japan. Buy this DVD! Don't forget the popcorn.
Rating:
Summary: Honour
Review: This is a film about honour. The message is one of service and sacrifice. The filming is beautiful, the sets very realistic and the costuming is spot on...note the subtle colours of the kimono's, true to the era. Timothy Spall is todays Robert Morley...a brilliant piece of casting. Director Edward Zwick continues to make emotional, epic films. Tom Cruise is in fine form here yet I feel the real stars are the Japanese actors. Ken Watanabe is wonderful...his message about the Cherry Blossums after a spectacular battle leaves a lump in one's throat. Hiroyuki Sanada is especially herioc as the stoic Ujio. It's grand to see Billy Connolly as a tough Master Sergeant and Tony Goldwyn presents his character as one that would have been comfortable in 1870's Japan or 2004 Iraq...he is brilliant. Koyuki Kato is a lovely, spiritual Taka and the entire production deserves far more praise than it received. The Hans Zimmer soundtrack fits beautifully...it is both heroic and moving...I give this film 5 Stars and urge all to see it...it is very spiritual, zen-like and above all, honourable.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Outstanding
Review: Tom Cruise gives a stellar performance! The historical and cultural backgrounds were perfect. The traditional Samurai sense of honor and respect prevails even through the darkest period in their history. Ken Watanabe did an outstanding job portraying Katsumoto, the strong and honorable leader of the last army of samurai. Holding out and fighting against all odds for what he believes in, honor. The only complaint i have with this movie is that it had to end. The battle scenes were nothing short of miraculous. Finally a movie that gives the samurai all of the credit they deserve! 5 STARS!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best battle scenes you'll ever see!
Review: This movie is the awesomest movie ever. I cannot wait to buy my own copy! The only real weak point in the movie was the ending, but that was made up for with the awesome battle sequences and storyline! If you liked this movie i also suggest reading Shogun, on which the movie was based.
Rating: 
Summary: unoriginal and empty
Review: basically a rip off of "dances with wolves," but done poorly. very empty when portraying japanese history and culture especially since this issue should have been central and not taken a backseat to tom cruise weilding a sword. on a plus side, its well shot and good visuals. watanabe steals the show, but even he is not enough to save this shallow movie. typical blockbuster movie with no depth. if you are in the mood for an "independence day type blockbuster action movie" see this. otherwise, dont waste the time.
Rating: 
Summary: An utter waste of time and money.
Review: This movie (...) It's no wonder Tom Cruise didn't get Oscar nominated for his role as the obnoxious American captain in this movie. And I'm not surprised at all that the movie didn't get any major nominations during the recent Oscars because this movie is so godawful! I'm really disappointed by this movie which initially had appeared promising. 'The Last Samurai' is simply just another Tom Cruise vehicle whose sole purpose is to get an Academy Award for Best Actor. One piece of advice to Tom Cruise: Go get some acting lessons from Nicole Kidman. In my opinion, Tom Cruise's ambition of winning an Oscar is just a mere wishful thinking because he can't act at all! So, don't spend your money on this horrible movie. Instead, watch a nicer movie, for example Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
Rating:
Summary: Awful
Review: In the 19th Century Japan became part of the world. For hundreds of years the country was ruled by a prime minister who had the title of Shogun. His rule was backed by a feudal system of armed nobles who had retinues of hereditory warriors called samurai. Samurai were of noble birth and trained in both warrior skills and an ideology of warfare. The 19th Century saw the Emperor of Japan sieze power from the Shogun and to end the feudal system creating a conscript army and a modern navy. To do this he imported overseas advisors, Prussians to train the army British and French to help with the navy. The change to the power structure lead to a revolt of the samurai class upset at the loss of their traditional privalages. This film is about this revolt. Being an American film the action is seen through the prism of an American officer. This of course is the first point at which we move into the land of fairy tale. At the time of the events of this film America had a small army of no great reputation. However probably Tom Cruise does a poor German accent. Rather than being a drama about what happened the film is about the Tom Cruise character. That is a person who has had his soul destroyed as he has been part of a massacre of Indian women and children. This has turned him into an alcoholic who is drifting through life. In this film he is redeemed. He is captured by the samurai in a battle and then kept prisoner in a remote village for the winter. In his time he becomes a convert to the samurai life style and decides to switch sides in the last epic pointless battle to keep the feudal system going in Japan. In this way he redeams himself and heal the pain of the massacre. He is also able to kill the American officer who commanded him to kill the native Americans. The film is gratutously insluting to important figures in Japanese history. The emperor Meiji who was responsible for modernising his country is portrayed instead as a figure of self confidence and vision, as a dithering boy who needs Tom Cruise to help him discover the true values of his country. Cruise in talking to his feudal buddies the Samurai immediately takes on a leadership role planning the last idiotic battle and gives them tiresome lectures about the wars between the Greeks and the Persians. The film is not only laboured and tiresome it is reflective of American hubris and is unhistoric in putting them at the centre of events they had no part in.
Rating:
Summary: Dances with wolves? Maybe but this movie was fantastic!!
Review: My husband and I and a couple friend of ours went to see this movie. Half way thru the movie I started crying and couldnt stop! Now i know im a sappy person, but to me this movie was packed with emotion and drama, and was the best movie I'd seen in quite a while. I noticed the male friend sniffling as well, but my husband tried to usher me out to the bathrooms, because I was crying. I said no way! am not going to miss a minute of it. This movie is well worth your while even tho it is similiar to Dances with wolves. What are you waiting for? Watch it! : ) Rebecca Austin, Christophers wife
| 
