Rating: 
Summary: Best Movie I Saw In 2003
Review: The Last Samurai is a great movie, good story, very entertaining. I'd recommend seeing this movie as soon as it comes out on DVD if you haven't seen it yet.This movie is not a study in phenomenology and existential philosophy, but a good movie that made tears come to my eyes and that doesn't happen too often. I thought this movie was better than the Lord of the Rings, though I'd guess that that comes from actually reading the books.
Rating:
Summary: This film was amazing!!!
Review: The story focuses on a Civil War veteran named Capt. Nathan Algren ( Tom Cruise). He reluctantly agrees to train and lead an army of Japanese soldiers to defeat rebellion of the country's remaining Samurai. Unfortunately, Algren is captured in battle by the Samurai, and is held prisoner by them. The leader of the Samurai, Katsumoto ( Ken Watanabe), is interested in the American culture and wants to keep Algren alive to learn from him. As time passes, Algren comes to develop a friendship with Katsumoto. He also comes to embrace the Samurai way of life as well, and trains to become one of them, so that he can fight along side of the Samurai against the Japanese forces that oppose them. With the acception of "Mystic River", "The Last Samurai" was my favorite film of 2003. For 2 1/2 hours, I was literally glued to the screen, and loving every minute of it. It has been quite some time since I have been that captivated by a film. The only downfall this film may have, is the fact that the story is almost a complete rip off of "Dances with Wolves". However, that does not make the film any less enjoyable. In fact, "The Last Samurai" is almost better. The story comes across as being much more dramatic and action packed when dealing with the Samurai. They have a deeper sense of honor, and their fighting style is much more deadly. Director Edward Zick did an amazing job of capturing every aspect of the Samurai culture, from the costume designs and simple way of life, to the weaponry and fighting style. The final battle between the Samurai and the Japanese soldiers is the best I have seen since "Braveheart". The Samurai are completely outnumbered, and still manage to put up one heck of a fight. Tom Cruise gave one of the best, if not the best performance of his career. However, the best performance of the film goes to Ken Watanabe. He was flat out amazing as Katsumoto and nailed every aspect of the Samurai warrior. The film's soundtrack and scenery are extremely beautiful as well. Overall, "The Last Samurai" is an amazing film. Every aspect of the Samurai way of life is captured accurately, the performances given by the actors involved were amazing, and the final battle was incredible. Also, please check out the extras listed by Amazon for this 2 Disc DVD set. From the look of things, the extras are reason enough to purchase this film. There are deleted scenes, featurettes on the making of the film, a featurette comparing real life Samurai, and more. This is definately a bonus for myself and anyone else who appreciates the film, and the Samurai in general. A solid 5 stars...
Rating:
Summary: A True Masterpiece
Review: I can't find the words to describe this truly amazing movie. I was not a huge fan of Tom Cruise, but since it looked like it would be pretty good from the preview, I decided I had to see it. This movie exceeded my expectations. Tom Cruise really surprised me and delivered such a wonderful performance in this movie. I feel that this movie was a gipped from being nominated for an Oscar. I thought for sure it would have been. If the Last Samuari had been nominated for an Oscar, and if, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King wasn't in the running this year (which truly deserved to win by the way), then I think that The Last Samuari should of been best picture of 2003. I feel that some people have overlooked this movie, and I am not sure why. It is such a beautiful movie, full of emotion, and wonderful performances. This movie is a true masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Honor and Beauty in Hollywood
Review: It is rare that movies with historical perspectives can capture all three sides of a conflict so accurately. As anyone who's studied Japanese history can tell you, the conflict herein was almost perfectly portrayed on all levels; within the government, within the characters, and within the nation (Japan) as a whole.
Set in the 1890's when Japan's emperor Meiji was trying desperately to "modernize" (read "westernize") Japan, we get to see an American's perspective on the wars that are ravaging the old nation of Japan. While many Japanese people were trying so hard to be fashionable and up to date, there were a great many who felt that the country was being robbed of it's heritage and the ideals that were so strongly ingrained in the people as a whole were being tossed to the side all in the name of "catching up with the rest of the world." It's tragic to watch as the young emperor is manipulated by his advisors into betraying the one man whom he should have listened to all along; his former teacher and mentor Katsumoto.
During all of this, however, Tom Cruise is thrown into the mix as Nathan Algren, a retired Civil War hero who won acclaim for himself for massacreing the plains indians in the Nazi-esque style of the time ("I was just following orders at the time, sir"). Upon his arrival in Japan, his desperation for the sweet abyss of death is just out of reach time and again, but it is his capture by the "enemy" where he finds his redemption. Some people who have reviewed this film refuse to see the Samurai as anything but bloodthirsty and savage (much like too many people saw the Native Americans), which couldn't be farther from the truth. A peaceful people by nature, but stoic and steadfast in their beliefs of honor and discipline (two words that are unfortunately lost on most Americans these days), the Samurai sought only to keep their country pure from foreign influence (a noble cause, if a bit misplaced and/or closed-minded) out of fear that their own way of life would go the way of the Indian (which it did anyway), and herein lies the true power of this film.
From the beginning of the film, anyone with any knowledge of Japanese history (or even of modern Japan) knows that the Samurai are ultimately doomed to die. I knew this going in, but found that this movie kindled a hope in me that they could ultimately win and save their country from itself as the samurai way saved Algren (Tom Cruise) from himself. While Algren succeeds, he and his cause ultimately fail and the emperor realizes this only too late as too much has already been set in motion due to the machinations of his scheming advisors who are only in it to line their own pockets (which is totally historically accurate; the merchant class saw in "westernization" a way to finally grow in social stature and the Samurai were standing in their way, so they used their newfound wealth and influence to eradicate the Samurai).
Doomed from the beginning, this film is more about one man's triumph over his own demons than it is about a country falling apart. Set against the backdrop of the Meiji "restoration"-era civil wars, there's no way this film doesn't succeed (except, perhaps, for the romantic interest which was unecessary but not to the point that it detracted anything from the film). We root for the hero to overcome his own personal obstacles while watching him fight a losing battle against a place and time that ultimately implodes upon itself. And while he comes out on top, and stronger for it, he is now alone in his new world because those who got him to it have been slaughtered around him.
All in all, the movie is tragic yet uplifting at the same time. It IS historically accurate (no matter what anybody tells you, take it from someone who used to live in Japan and has studied Japanese history for 13 years), it is worth watching, and it was far more oscar-worthy than that abortion of a film about Japan "Lost in Translation."
Rating: 
Summary: A soggy epic.
Review: As soon as I could digest the fact that this movie advertised Tom Cruise as a Samurai I became excited by what appeared to be an epic saga about Japans tumultuous transition from millenia old traditionalism, into the modern era. I figured, at the least, Samurai are interesting to watch; right? Plus Edward Zwick (the Director) was the dude who also directed Glory... Gobs of money were spent on the finest talent, set design, musical production, and effects.... ....and it all shows. This movie is beautiful to look at and interesting to watch. Too bad it has about as much meaning as a plate of dog barf. Those looking for the substance of Glory (or a South Park episode for that matter) are in for grave disapointment. But before you get all worked up and angry about that, consider the movies basic premise: War weary mercenary enlists his services to the Japanese Imperial Army (not as some of the reviews contend "to crush the Samurai", but rather to modernize the military and keep it competitive with the rest of the world). A rogue Samurai (Katsumoto) takes up arms against the evil Imperial Army (headed by the Emperor) to defend the "way of the Samurai" and the ancient (inarguably beautiful) way of life they preserve. Ok, a little wobbly, but it gets way more conflicted. Almost as if they started making the movie before they took the basic philosophical premise to its logical end...Following below are some of the conflicts that made this movie a "hero agnostic", conflicted, collage of plot-slop. The Samurai, as cool as they were, were dead meat. They used swords! Sure, they used them well, very well (and some arrows too), but one word "machine gun" (ok, two). Hello?!! The whole purpose of a Samurai is to defend their masters (typically the ruling class). With the advent of modern weaponry, their refusal to change with the times negated their worth to "useless". Many of them stepped aside, this story is about one moron who didn't (Katsumoto), and instead caused the death of just about every innocent, selfless, loving person under his guardianship. Ok, it'd be one thing if "the enemy" was real, but the enemy was led by the Emperor, his sworn master. Sure, the Emperor was being influenced by greedy counsel, but in the movie, at every juncture of opportunity, Katsumoto acted like some hot-headed blood thirsty baby. Even when the Emperor granted him special audience to to plead his case, he TOTALLY deferred to the Emperors judgment. Well, the Emperor needed to modernize Japan. The Samurai were finished. But I guess that wouldn't sell tickets, so we had to watch Katsumoto lead all those that were sworn to him into a completely futile attempt to fight the machine gun toting opposition. Kinda cool I guess. That is, if you're not the kind to be bothered by the fact that this kind of mindless leadership (and more importantly mindless obedience) is the cause of most all of mankinds war and resultant gore, broken bodies, broken civilizations, and broken families. Hey, I love war movies (Empire of the Sun stands as one of my favorites), and I don't need a "pure hero" to root for. But this movie actually had me rooting for "the dark side", at least their position made some sense.
Rating: 
Summary: good movie, bad history
Review: I thought the movie was good, and the japanese were very authentic. But it is impossible for tom cruise to become a samurai, unless the emperor made an ammendment to the laws passed down for centuries, which of course never happened. The movie is good with a plot, but as I said, the producers didn't think of how historically accurate this movie was. The overall movie had a plot and was very well made, and it seems like they put in a lot of time for every scene, just to make you feel immerssed in the culture. Good movie.
Rating:
Summary: The movie was a perspective
Review: For those who have always believed in being a Samurai, or trying to relive their days in the era that Samurai roamed, the movie in a way gave people that perspective. Of course, it's through the eyes of an American, because as we know it, Americans can't always see things clearly, only through hardships and experience of other people's culture can they truly come to know the differences and traditions of other nationalities. To me, I personally liked the movie for many reasons, the soundtrack was one of the many things, but it was the drama put into the story. It's like that old series, "Shogun", about a sailor from the west who was shipwrecked in Japan and brought up to become a Samurai. Stories that involve a learning process and finally understanding the ways of another is what I love to see in my movies, so I really do applaud the movie for what it does.
Rating:
Summary: This Movie Deserves Any Award It's Nominated For!
Review: First I would like to say that "The Last Samurai" sadley did not win any oscars tonight. I was very dissapointed. Every single person who was a part of this film brought "The Last Samurai" to life. Tom Cruise & Ken Watanabe are by far two of the best actors ever! Edward Zwick directed this film with absolute perfection!! One last person I am going to mention is Hanz Zimmer, the music writer. The whole score is magnificant and stunning. Hanz put his heart and soul into this score and he did not get credit for it. I am truley and absolutley stunned that this brilliant movie did not recieve any oscar awards nor was it nominated for best picture or best actor! The story is so uplifting and groundbreaking! Everyone should buy this DVD when it comes out May, 4th (yes I am counting the days.) Make sure to have the closest person beside you weither it is your martial arts master, your wife, or your best friend because this movie will make you want to hold someone until the very last frame is gone! "The Last Samurai" is the best movie EVER!
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: This has to be one of the best movies yet! It's a shame that it takes a movie like this to bring out the great actors in other countries. I just hope it open more doors for Kensaku Watanabe. This man deserve an oscar! He was far better in the movie than Tom Cruise. This is a DVD I would pass around as a gift.
Rating:
Summary: I Was Blown Away!
Review: Okay, let me just start out by saying this: THE LAST SAMURAI kicked GLADIATOR's butt. The film shows a humanity and a passion that Ridley Scott's (undeserving) Best Picture winner did not. And while that film succeeded mostly as an action film despite its dramatic intentions, THE LAST SAMURAI succeeds as a powerful story of honor, friendship and redemption. I won't even bother explaining the plot to you, as I always leave that up to the Amazon.com reviewer. While most people said the plot was too similar to that of DANCES WITH WOLVES (some even calling it a remake), I have to disagree. Though the two films definitely share some similarities, they are two totally different experiences. As to which one is better . . . . . . . well, I like them both around the same, probably, if for different reasons. I should start with Tom Cruise. This is probably the most against-type role I've ever seen him in. Though he doesn't give the very best performance of his career, it's probably on the list. Plus, I always find it fascinating when actors take very different turns in both characters and acting style. The supporting cast was great, too; Ken Watanabe earned his Oscar nomination, bringing to his role a sense of pride and quiet grace. You look in his eyes and see the sadness in them, in that he is truly the last of his kind, the last of a dying race of men of honor and heroism. His world is almost gone, and he knows that his time is near an end, as well. I hope he wins that Oscar. I was quite impressed with another character in this movie: the music. Hans Zimmer has done it again, creating a masterful score that I think is one of his best. The beautiful landscape serves as a character, too, adding even more to the feel and tone of the movie (I actually think they filmed it in New Zealand). The production & costume design is first-rate, as well, both earning further Academy Award nominations. Director Edward Zwick shows the same spectacular epic filmmaking skills as he did with GLORY and LEGENDS OF THE FALL. I can't wait for his next film, whatever it may be! Oh, and this reminds me: I've heard countless critics complain about the ending, calling it a groan-inducing, all-too-conventional Hlooywood ending. I don't know what the heck they were talking about! The ending was perfectly fine. Don't listen to the critics on this one. It's rare that we get an epic as awesome and well crafted as THE LAST SAMURAI. Or I should say, it used to be rare. Nowadays Hollywood keeps pouring out the historical & fantasy epics (the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, MASTER & COMMANDER, and this year's upcoming TROY, KING ARTHUR, and ALEXANDER). I think it's safe to say that the epic motion picture is here to stay for quite a long while. For one of the best examples of these, see THE LAST SAMURAI. This is the film that should be in SEABISCUIT's place among the nominations for Best Picture.
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