Rating: 
Summary: A Spiritual Journey from the West to the East
Review: As some people would rightly put this great, beautiful film as "Dances with Wolves" of the East, the two people here who are being (or almost being) conquered by the Americans, as a representative of the Western "civilisation", have a lot in common.
Not only the upheaval and tragic situations they had in those period, but I have found those two people's spiritual beliefs very similar to each other.
Maybe that is because they both are kind of animists who believe that every things on Earth has spirit----trees, mountains, rivers, seas, rocks, etc.... Not to mention human beings and other creatures. The humans are only a part of the nature. So, like a weed grows and dies, we all are born and die. Simple. Like the American Indians say; "It is a good day to die today.", famous book of Bushido, the Samurai code, "Hagakure" says; "The ultimate Bushido is found in the way you die."
Here, as well as profoundly understanding the meanings of life and death, accepting one's own life as it is is a crucial point to get through. Because you have your own purpose of life as you are born to the circumstances you were given.
And it applies to everybody, not only to the Samurais.
For what were you born? For what are you going to die?
If you know the answer, you are ready to die in the honourable and graceful way it should be.
It is not that only the deaths of Samurais in action or by Harakiri taking responsibility are honourable/graceful. Everyone who has completed his/her duty of his/her life can die in honour and grace. It doesn't mean that Samurais were crazy, trigger-happy suicidal/homicidal maniacs, though. I have to make sure here that nobody misunderstands what I am saying because sometimes some people seem to think that the Kamikaze attacks in the world war 2 were the acts of that kind of insanity. I can tell you how wrong their thoughts are. If you see this film and take it correctly, you should understand that as well.
It is a matter of readiness. Your readiness to die makes your life meaningful. Meaningful life makes your soul shine.
That is every human being's purpose to be born to this world.
Concuerors can destroy your home and kill you, but no one can break your spirit if you are ready to die.
What Algren underwent in his battle fields in both America and Japan against and with those "savages" made him know that. After a hundred years' struggle against the powers of the Western civilisation, Japan seemed to have narrowly escaped from being colonised and subhumanised only because Japan had a large population that were ready to die for the survival of their country and their people putting themselves together tightly under the name of the Emperor. But, did she, really?
"The Last Samurai" made me think about where I came from and who I am. Maybe I and other modern day Japanese, who became conveniently Westernised and forgot about our spiritual roots should just stop and rethink of the meaning of life.
Rating:
Summary: It made me cry..
Review: I think this is the most wonderful movie I have seen in my short life of 15 years. I love Japanese things..and when I saw this movie I came out crying because it was so touching and really got to me. See when you like something like that very much and they make a movie based on it..it will make you get upset at some point. The saddest part was at the end..when the battle came in. Then the samurai..leader (can't remember his name..sorry)..killed himself..for honour..and I thought that was so sad. This is my favorite movie of all time and it's amazing! Everyone should see this touching, romantic, action, drama movie! Good job guys! It was breath taking!
Rating:
Summary: Better than LOTR Return of the King
Review: I feel thsi is a better moive than Lord of the rings the Return of the king, the best movie i have ever seen. and , The music is fantastic, the acting excelent, i cant wait to watch this movie at home in my 70 inches widescreen HDTV , and my Home theater...!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: The Last Samurai is Ken Watanabe
Review: (...) Ken Watanabe is the true last samurai in this film (and was nominated for best actor in a supporting role) All the Japanese warriors in the final battle scene all commit seppuku instead of being captured. Cruise pops up like a drunken soldier. Cruise is as always easy on the eyes but does not convince as a Samurai Warrior. He's a lover not a warrior...There are also bits of humor in this film added by Cruise that seems totally out of place. I love him in every movie but this one is not his best. Also Academy Nominated for Costume Design, Art Direction, and
Sound Mixing. This is no Kurosawa Samurai epic if that's what you're looking for but I sill like the attempt! I totally agree with the Dances with Wolves analogy!
Rating: 
Summary: Samurai Dances With Glory
Review: Ok, I won't go too into detail regarding the similarity with the great epic "Dances With Wolves". But I do feel the need to point out some recycled plot points from "Glory". Consider: "War captain put in charge of unskilled soldiers" This similar plot from "Samurai" also comes with the scene borrowed from "Glory" (gee, also by the same director .... hmmm) where the Captain (General) needs to prove to others that his soldiers are not ready for intense combat. Suddenly I am not experiencing "Samurai" but reliving "Glory".
Rating:
Summary: good flick
Review: Have seen this pic in cinema here ireland
thought it was pretty damn good cruise pulled off this one very well -only thing to disapoint was on battle field riding back to the samuri troops ,think too many films of this nature are doing that braveheart battle scence , but overall that this was a pretty good film had me on edge of seat at times
troughly recomend to watch or buy (...).
Rating:
Summary: Tom Cruise Triumphs Again In This Great Movie
Review: "The Last Samarai" is one of the greatest films released in 2003, starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. Its hardhitting impact is intense enough to keep audiences' eyes wide open through the whole movie. Its written plot of a US soldier changing his life for the better in Japan is brilliant. Despite the war themes, there are some great heartwarming scenes, namely when the US soldier starts healing his pains from his US war battles. As he begins learning Japanese traditions, he begins learning more about himself, which plays a crutial part in the film. As this develops, the drama also develops, which keeps audiences interested. This allows the conflicts between the two sides to be brought out as brilliantly as it was. His friends' life stories add an additional unique flavor. The war scenes are uniquely intense. Few other movies have thought of such original war scenery. This teaches audiences that there is no one way to fight a war or to solve a conflict. Its Oscar-nominated 1870's Japanese setting is flawless. They prove that they did their research to construct such an elaborate set. The war scenes are desplicted as brutal as they should thanks to the special effects. The costumes are accurate from those times. Such great background offers an improved sense of this masterpiece film. Tom Cruise's underrated role as US soldier Nathan Algren is his best in years. His two years of training to prepare for his role paid off. He never loses his intense sense of emotion for a second. The pain and agony expressed are as pure as if he actually lived it. Ken Watanabe's Oscar-nominated role as Samarai leader Katsumoto rightfully places him in the spotlight. This performance makes acting appear easy when it's actually the opposite. He proves that he will become a big-name actor in the next following years. All other actors also performed their roles beautifully. "The Last Samarai" is great for those looking for a unique war movie with emotion. This is sure to please many audiences. This is destined to be a classic in the following years as it deserves.
Rating:
Summary: Tom Cruise + repeat Shogun-type plot = good movie? Yes!
Review: I thought it was going to be awful and I only went to see it because my fiance wanted to, but it turned out to be a film well worth watching and owning. The acting (yes, even Tom Cruise) is generally good, the soundtrack stirring, the pacing taut, and the battle sequences awesome. (The fight following the ninja assassination attempt is particularly well done.) Yes, it's Shogun set later in time and minus Richard Chamberlain, but/and it's excellent. The only problem worth mentioning is the ending. I won't give anything away, but the events are improbable, and because of that they're less emotionally affecting than they should be. I can think of a couple of better ways for the film to have ended. Still, a much better movie than it might seem. I'll be buying it.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely wonderful!!!!!!
Review: One of the best films I have seen in a LONG time!!Cruise is brilliant as is the lead Japanese actor. The scenery is gorgeous and the costumes are extremely well done. The Samurai battle scenes and sword wielding is very emotional to watch. I really, really love this film and I do not know what is wrong with some of the other reviewers concerning their comments about this film. Master and Commander was good and I did see it before I saw Samurai but it in no way holds a candle to Toms film. Yes the story line is similar to Dances with Wolves, also a good movie, but not acted, nor filmed as brilliantly and not as emotionally touching. The Last Samurai deserved the Oscars moreso than even the Lord of the RIngs Return of the King which I saw and was somewhat dissapointed in. The Last Samurai is my pick for best film of the year in all catagories.
Rating:
Summary: Some aspects should have been different
Review: I like this movie, but I found some things about it dissapointing.
First, lets get to the good things - the storyline wasn't anything special but the way the movie was done was amazing - the scenery was beautiful and a lot of the acting was really good. I'm also happy when I see asians in movies where they are actually acting because it's very rare that asians get casted as major roles in major movies in the US.
I was dissapointed, however, by the acting job Tom Cruise did. I understand that his character had been through a lot and this and that, but I found him very stiff and emotionless throughout the movie, and whether this was intended or not, I felt like it took away from the movie.
However, the acting jobs of many of the other people in this movie more than made up for it - more specifically, Katsumoto and his son were very good and the little boy that takes a liking to Tom Cruise was so cute and a very good actor, especially for someone of his age.
I was actually very pissed off when I heard that they nominated Tom Cruise for the oscar for this movie. I know he's famous and this and that, but I think hollywood needs to get over their political technichalities when choosing the oscars and nominate someone who can really act, even if they are Japanese and almost unknown. This movie was very touching in many ways. I loved the ending and the climatic scene. It was all very well done.
HOwever, I was thoroughly dissapointed when they made Tom Cruise fall in love with the woman who was housing him. I felt that their relationship was much better as passive friends accepting each other, and the idea of that girl falling in love with the man who killed her husband so shortly after he died is highly improbable. I felt like they were adding a love scene to make it more like a typical hollywood success formula - they all need a love scene, don't they? NO. They don't. THis movie would have been much better without it. Despite it's flaws though, and my personal problems with it, The Last Samurai is a good movie worth viewing at least once.
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