Rating: 
Summary: SAME (URAI) OLD MOVIE
Review: THE LAST SAMURAI IS A BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED AND HIGHLY ENTERTAINING FILM, BUT TO APPRECIATE IT, ONE HAS TO OVERLOOK A FEW THINGS...1)THAT THE SAMURAI CLASS AS DEPICTED HERE WERE A BUNCH OF FAMILY GUYS PROTECTING HOME AND HEARTH, WHEN IN FACT, THEY WERE MERCENARIES WHO WOULD PROSTITUTE THEMSELVES TO ANY SHOGUN WHO NEEDED SOME KILLING DONE...2)THE BASIC CONCEIT PRESENTED HERE THAT IT IS SOMEHOW FAR NOBLER TO HACK SOMEONE TO PIECES WITH A SWORD THAN TO BLAST THEM WITH A GUN...3)BUY INTO THE SAME TIRED CONCEPT THAT WAR IS SOME GRAND BALLET INSTEAD OF A NASTY AND UNEVOLVED WAY TO SETTLE DISPUTES...AND, FINALLY 4)THAT THIS FILM IS SORELY LACKING IN ORIGINALITY, AND TROTS OUT ALOT OF BORROWED SCHTICKS FROM SUCH FILMS AS DANCES WITH WOLVES, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, RAN, KAGAMUSHA, ETC.,ETC........THAT SAID, TOM CRUISE DOES SOME OF HIS BEST WORK HERE, AND HIS JAPANESE COUNTERPART AND FAMILY ARE FABULOUS.............
Rating: 
Summary: Weak offering, too much Tom Cruise screen time
Review: This movie is typical of Hollywood's catering to the lowest common denominators. It's a movie for ignorant, non-thinking Americans who know nothing of medieval Japan and samurai history. It's all surface and no heart. Directed by Ed Zwick, who did a rather great job with "Glory" back in the 1980s, "Last Samurai" could almost be seen as "Glory: Japan." It's not a bad film, but too much Tom Cruise screen time, a lack of substance, and too many Hollywood cliches weight it down. In "Glory," we at least got to know about four or five of the "minority" characters, and that we saw them outside of the main, white character's viewpoint, but in "Last Samurai," we don't see any of the Japanese characters from outside of Tom Cruise's character's perspective and as a result, we never really get to know the Japanese characters, their personalities, their motivations, what drives them, etc. etc. Inexplicably, and as is typical of Hollywood movies, the white character is in some position of influence, and far too quickly rises up in the ranks and is practically put on a level with one of the highest ranking "minority" leaders. If only we got to know the Japanese characters, from Ujio to Katsumoto to Taka, from outside the confines of Aldren's eyes. As it is, it's merely a visual, superficial flick that leaves the viewer with cliches in mind, as once again, a white character is made the center of action in what should be a story about Japanese (or minority) characters -- rather, they're pushed to the sidelines in their own story. And the movie is almost sunk by unrealistic action sequences which almost border on corny, and a romantic tension that is laughingly unrealistic and unlikely. Lastly, reflective of Hollywood's Eurocentricism, some of the main Japanese characters are played by Asian actors with rather Eurocentric features, especially the actors who play the female lead Taka and her main son. In Hollywood, minorities, in this case Japanese people can't look commonly Japanese and be main characters or sympathized with -- they often must look white.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful, passionate, spiritual filmmaking
Review: One of the cinematic ideals is to transport the viewer to a different world, a different experience, much like a dream- the brain initiates Rapid Eye Movement in the theater, something normally reserved for that plane between consciousness and the dream world. "Master and Commander" is an excellent recent embodiment of that ideal, a fine piece of filmmaking, but "Last Samurai" goes a giant step further-it is a deeply spiritual, meaningful movie, as well as a fantastic story.The idea of Samurai, the nation, the spirit, that the film focuses on, was intensely moving to me, but is astonishingly lost on so many in our shallow society. A newspaper review stated that the film's message was "murky." Is it an expression of Hollywood's "liberal elite," ponders our pretentious critic, in that it depicts US military and big business negatively, or is it "conservative" in meaning, because it seems to support Japanese isolationism? Hopefully, muses the critic, the director meant to express these contentions. This particular reviewer is perfectly representative of the narrowness of most people, in that he did not feel, or at least didn't write about, what the movie was actually about. "Liberal" and "conservative" are nearly completely arbitrary and meaningless terms in party politics society (FDR exploits anti-Japanese racism, Nixon gets bussing and affirmative action going, Clinton vetoes gays in the military, Bush gives Africa billions of dollars in AIDS money, etc), and "Last Samurai" makes a kind of statement on that. Its message is not political or economic, it transcends these things, it is spiritual-it is about a group of people who devote their lives exclusively to what they believe in-their nation, the spirit of their people. It is their soul, their life force. Their devotion entails defending their spirit against corrupting forces-ambtitious Japanese politicans and eager US arms contractors are not interested in the soul and are therefore its enemies. The message is not political, ideological, liberal, or something equally meaningless, it is eternal. Tom Cruise is very good as a depressive Civil War hero contracted by a Japanese government starting out of isolationism and into the West, to train troops to subdue the remnants of its Samurai class. The Samurai are not anti-Western, but they are for their ideals. Tom Cruise is captured and comes to learn the meaning of what the enemy of the Japanese government stands for, and its deep truth to him. He joins them and fights for what he has found. The film has been criticized for being "predictable," as we know the way Tom Cruise will eventually swing, but the way his development is portrayed defies labels like predictable. For me, watching him learn what the Samurai is about and become it, was a powerful experience. Great story and acting, rich set and costume design, absolutely stunning cinematography and choreography (gorgeous natural beauty and the battle scenes are spectacular), and what was for me a timeless message that very few movies ever touch on, make for a profound cinematic experience.
Rating:
Summary: The Last Samurai
Review: Great battle scenes never seen in this scale.
Ken Watanabe and Tom Cruise was superb.
Rating:
Summary: I'm impressed
Review: Tom Cruise has moved on to greater things these days. I've been kind of biased with his roles - I will say this - he's a very savvy actor with an eye for a good business opportunity. Here, however, we see him taking things one step further. A great film in a year full of shiny, shallow, stinky films. By virtue of comparison, this really rises to the top. Good move on Tom's part, great scenes, a plot that floats, a touching upon the way of Samurai and the art of zen. Great action movie!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Good action flick, so-so epic
Review: This movie is a good one, but it could have been much better. If you go in expecting a period action piece, you will not be disappointed. Those expecting something along the line of "Braveheart" be warned. Tom Cruise is enjoyable, but he gives his standard performance. Which is to say that you do not see a character like he is capable of giving, such as Ron Kovic in "Born on the 4th of July" or even Lestat in "Interview with the Vampire." Instead you get Tom Cruise as an angst-ridden, recovering alcoholic that looks great in a kimono. But the performance still works, it's just shame about the missed potential.
Ken Watanabe is very charismatic as the traditionalist-turned-outlaw who tries to hold on to the outdated beliefs of the samurai. The chemistry between he and Cruise is very good and it's one of the more pleasurable aspects of the film. As well as the much too short screen time of Billy Conelly and Tony Goldwyn. The cinematography and the costumes are also great and are bound to get oscar nominations. Unfortunately this film buys into it's own granduer, and it falls short on that level. There are some great moments in the film, don't get me wrong. Edward Zwick proves he can still crank out a battle scene and he clearly outdoes himself in the last battle of the film. Even when you know what the outcome will be. But that's where the film should have ended. Instead you get another ten minutes of an eye rolling, very sappy resolution. I'm not sure if this was the product of Zwick or the suits at WB, but does not work.
Another scene I found difficult to swallow was an assassination attempt. Great fight choreography, great action, but awkwardly placed and no justification for it. You can almost hear a studio exec say "This is Japan. So where are the ninjas?" If the gunpowder obsessed emperor and cronies sent the assassins, (which is whom you assume sent them) why did they use ninjas instead of rifleman? Thereby proving the effectiveness of rifle over swords. It's because it makes for a great action scene, that's why, and the audience will eat it up. The film is good and I recommend it. But be warned that at times it comes across as very contrived. I was hoping for an epic, instead I got a really good action flick. Three stars instead four due to studio induced Oscar pandering
Rating:
Summary: Has caused Shawshank to move to 2nd place!!!
Review: After scanning some of the negative reviews posted here I must say I am shocked to learn that ANYONE could find this movie anything but exceptional. The words "boring" and "tedious" have no place desrcibing this exceptional film. It's beautifully shot, wonderfully acted, full of humor, poetry and sensuality and considering the fact that it is of course A MOVIE (for those of you overly concerned with real looking sets, etc), I was mesmerized and entertained for the 2 plus hours I was watching this great movie. My wife, who reluctantly attended the sneak preview, fell so in love with this film that she insists on seeing it again on Friday when it makes its full release. There will always be the inevitable haters and those comparing it to Dances With Wolves, etc, but disregard those folks and go see what is sure to be an Oscar Winner. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: The best film of the year!!!!!
Review: This film is a must see!!! Tom reaches deep down for the emotions expressed in this film. You feel every ounce of his anguish and regret for the terrible things he's done in his war days. I agree with the critics (something I rearely do...) when they say this film is of epic porportions..... This film moved me very deeply, but it also had a touch of humor here and there..just enough. I can't wait until it's released so I can see it again!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent achievement in every way!!!
Review: I saw a preview of The Last Samurai last night. I didn't think I was going to like it. Was I ever in for a surprise. I was riveted from the second it started, barely aware of the 2 1/2 hour running time. This film is one of the best movies I've seen in years: a sweeping epic, gorgeous to watch, with characters you truly care about. Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe give outstanding performances. The audience itself is shifted from a Western point of view into the Samurai consciousness over the course of the film. Your mind becomes more still, more focused and more inspired as this deeply moving exploration of a lost art unfolds. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: it does not disappoint
Review: I was able to see an advanced showing last night and i was very impressed. I had very high expectations going into it, and I was not let down. Tom Cruise is very good (as usual) and does not just rely on his good looks. The movie moves along at a pretty good pace and doesn't seem like 2 and a half hours long. The film is also very beautiful to look at. One word of caution for some viewers: The Last Samurai is one of the most graphically violent movies i've seen. If that does not bother you, I strongly encourage you to watch it. I thought it was an excellent film and the theatre roared with applause after the film was over.
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