The Last Samurai (Widescreen Edition)

Rating:
Summary: The LAST Samurai--
Review: "History was written by the men who hang heroes." Braveheart

This was a piece of history I was unfamiliar with but I definitely want to research this time period and learn more.

I'll admit it. I am a sucker for men who are willing to die for what they believe in--at least, in history, and on celluoid. This film is in the vein of BRAVEHEART, but it'd be difficult to really compare the two. This film has entirely less violence as its focus is not on the battles, but on the transformation of Nathan [Tom Cruise], the American soldier forever changed by his capture/confinement with samurai.

Tom Cruise is definitely a weak link in this film, but his performance is not horrible, nor does it ruin the movie. I sat trying to think of WHO I would have cast in his stead and could think of no one in his age group who would have been more appropriate. The stand-outs in the film are Ken Watanabe, Katsumoto; and HIROYUKI SANADA, the actor who plays Ujia; KOYUKI, the actress portraying Taka; and SHIN KOYAMADA, the actor playing Katsumoto's son, Nobutada. Timothy Spall who played the narrator, Simon Graham, gave a glorious turn as well. The only weak character was the emperor, SHICHINOSUKE NAKAMURA . His voice was so soft, and effeminate. He was the only character that truly seemed to detract from the film.

The standout moment of the film occurs near the end. It is a Japanese soldier's reaction to the end of a battle. He speaks no lines but his actions and facial expressions say more than any written lines could have. Very affective. There were a lot of moments sans dialogue when a look between the Japanese characters held so much weight.

I was awestruck with wondering what man in his right man could have participated in the undoing of this culture of samurai? They were amazing men by all accounts. I reccomend the film. The two and a half hours are well spent. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: good Hollywood movie
Review: I wouldn't say that this movie is some extraodinary creation - just typical well-done Hollywood production. In different backgrounds the same kind of movie was played already a few times. The fighting scenes are great. Tom Cruise is good. Japanesse background is exciting. The major points in the history are correct. I have only two complains. First, the fighting parties are potrayed in white and black: not everything was positive and romantic in samurais as well as their enemies weren't so bad always. Second, the ending was too much even by Hollywood measures. All in all, even it's not a masterpiece I still enjoyed watching it.

Rating:
Summary: Too much Tom...
Review: The film is great! I saw it twice in different cities. Perhaps there is a bit too much of Tom and his face and his hair, that's the only reason I give it 4 stars... story line however was amazing though and I appreciate that there were no luby-dubby scenes and no sex scenes - just Samurai Fighting! It prepared me for LOTR3...

Rating:
Summary: The last Samurai-nearly 5 stars!! a must see
Review: I wasn't very impressed by the previews of this movie that I saw, but this movie was the bomb! Possibly the best American film I have seen this year.

Tom Cruise does a wonderful acting job as he plays a soldier divided by his duty and personal values. Choosing between duties and personal values is something most of us can relate to in the everyday world, so this movie will make a personal connection with you.

Also, it's just amazing action! Some of the best battle sequences since BraveHeart, made this a real treat. The casting was excellent and the acting was solid. I was a little skeptical about japan as the backdrop for this movie, but I must say that the japanese environmental atmosphere was fantastic. Shots in the rain, fog or sunset with tom cruises black silhouette
were artistic and perfect(a real treat for the artistic eye).

As a movie fan, I can't say enough good about this film. The characters got you involved emotionally on levels of sadness and anger(which is another tribute to fine acting). I saw a couple good and fun films this year, but this one was thought provoking, emotional and a near masterpiece. If you liked movies such as BraveHeart, this wont dissapoint.

acting=5 stars
battle FX=4 stars
atmosphere=5 stars
Directing and Editing=4.5 star
storyline=4.5 stars
meaningfullness=5 stars
replay value=4.5 stars

OVERALL=solid 4.64 stars

Rating:
Summary: Far more then I expected.
Review: After reading some of the reviews here, I was not expecting too much from this movie, but thought I would give it a try anyway.
I was truly surprised, it was VERY well done, the acting and story line were far more solid then I had expected. This movie delievered far more then I expected.

So all I really have to say, is give this movie a try, I doubt you will be disapointed.

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Even though he earns a major paycheck, is a huge box office draw, and is a helluva nice guy, Tom Cruise really doesn't get his due respect as an actor. I will admit that at first I thought this was gonna be stupid, but I was way wrong. Some might describe The Last Samurai as Dances With Wolves meets Braveheart, but it really does stand on its own. I'm not saying the storyline is anything new, because it's not, but these are three-dimensional characters you really come to care about by film's end. That's what modern films need is 3d characters! My only complaint about the movie is that there is one perfect -- and very powerful -- ending but we are spoon-fed two more endings after that. Aside from that assumption to the audience's lack of imagination, The Last Samurai is a nearly perfect example of it's genre and is certainly one of the best offerings of 2003. OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT!!! The fighting is so awesome! I mean wow! It's so great!! 2nd best movie of the year.

Rating:
Summary: Good movie gone Ronin
Review: The scope is sweeping, the views of Japan are breathtaking and the battles are epic. I was predisposed to like this movie, I love almost anything Akira Kurosawa has done from the Hidden Fortress, to the 7 Samurai to Ran (his masterpiece). However, unfortunately for the Last Samurai it takes more to make a movie, like a plot and characters. The screenplay is pathetic and the message is twisted and sick. Feudal Japan was great, but only if you were a samurai, you had the right of summary execution if you were insulted, (hence everyone is sooo polite), and you didn't have to bust your butt in the rice paddies, nice work if you can get it. At best the movie, like the repressive society it defends is mysoginistic. Japan is better off entering the 19th century (unified country, modern medicine, less repressive society), and gets into trouble when it takes the twisted codes of bushido into the 20th century, killing prisiones (see the book The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II for examples of samurai honor), banzi charges and kamakazi. For a far better, and wittier review go to Stephen Hunter of the Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37137-003Dec4.html

I took my family to this, now they keep reminding me I owe them for wasting 3 hours of their life.

Rating:
Summary: I've seen it three times!!!
Review: Other than "Doctor Zhivago" I do not recall any movie that I've viewed, or enjoyed, more than twice. "The Last Samurai" has been released for two weeks now and I have seen it three times. It is that good!! In my humble opinion; Academy Awards go to Ken Watanabe for best supporting actor, or actor, Han Zimmer for musical score. More awards to costume design. And if there were an award for "most beautiful woman on the planet" an award would go to Koyuki. That skin, that hair, those eyes!

The story of "The Last Samurai" takes place during the last quarter of the 19th century. Japan is struggling with the notion of leaving behind the old Japan steeped with her many traditions only to embrace the strange and brash ways of a new and pragmatic modern Western world.

For centuries the Samurai has been responsible for protecting not only the people of Japan but her Emperor as well. But the Emperor's, Japan's living God, desire to bring Japan in line with the 19th century will come at a price. Human lives will be lost, tradition will be cast aside, and, sadly, the fate of the Samurai will follow that of the Carrier Pigeon.

This then is the story of Japan's rebirth. A metamorphis wracked with pain and suffering yet one filed with hope for a new and better future. Ken Watanabe (the last Samurai) is excellent, as is Cruise, and Koyuki. You will need to bring at least one box of Kleenex to the theater as crying is welcomed.

Respetfully submitted.

Cammy Diaz Attny @ Law

Rating:
Summary: Best Movie of the Year by far!
Review: Amazing storyline, fantastic scenery, moving. I even got over the fact that the main character is played by Tom Cruise. If you don't see any other movie this year, make time to see this one!

Rating:
Summary: Better than good but not quite fresh enough
Review: I love Tom. I'lll watch him in anything. If he moves, I watch, so I was certainly eager to see "Last Samurai." The first thing that disappointed me was that his character was so unsympathetic in the beginning that he plainly thought his boxoffice successes would carry him through that part. He could at least have been a sympathetic drunk. Things got more interesting when he arrived in Japan. When he paired in a scene with Ken Watanabe, however, he was upstaged. I hate to say this, Tom, but you picked a co-star too powerful for you. Not that you didn't look good, Baby . . . . The story wasn't quite fresh enough though it was done better than all the TV movies and World War II movies that featured the same plot. It all seemed too familiar. Cinematography of the battle was wonderful and that certainly held fascination, though I couldn't help wondering if we'd given up our protection of horses in movies along with all the other environmental retreats we have made. I didn't see a disclaimer at the end either and would like to be assured that those many upended, flailing horse bodies somehow weren't real. I felt the Japanese actors were exquisite in their roles, down to the children, while Tom's finest moment didn't come until he knelt prostrate before the Emperor. When the voiceover added the little homily at the end, if the director had just left it there and let us wonder what happened to Tom that would have been a good ending. But, the very last scene, haven't I seen Robert Mitchum do that or Jimmy Stewart or any number of TV actors complete that scenario? Cut!!!