Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful movie about the samurai
Review: I looked forward to this movie for such a long time. Ever since I heard it was being made. There were those people saying "Tom Cruise as a samurai?" which was followed by laughter. Myself, I was optimistic. Who though Mel Gibson could play William Wallace? I actually didn't see it till later in its theatrical run. I was, as many others were, engrossed by The Return of the King. But I eventually saw it and again as I watch it on DVD I can't help but love this movie. It is rare we see a Hollywood movie focus on Japanese culture. Everything Hollywood puts out on Asian culture is of course, martial arts. Tom Cruise starts as Nathan Algren. A decorated civil war hero, who, as most war veterans will say, is haunted by his past. He is hired by one of the Emperors advisors (Harada) to train the military of Japan in modern warfare. Along for the ride is Zebulan Gant (Connolly) and Colonel Bagley (Goldwyn), a previous superior who Algren detests. Shortly after Algren begins training the men, an incident forces Bagley to send the unprepared troops off to battle. They, of course, lose to the samurai led by Katsumoto (Watanabe) and Algren is captured. As he is being held at the village of the Samurai he learns their ways and befriend Katsumoto. As promised when winter ends Katsumoto returns Algren where he must make the choice to go home or join the samurai and defend what he has come to love. Tom Cruise is one of those actors whose good looks overshadow his acting ability. By that I mean that a lot of people don't think he is a talented actor because all the women love him. Group him in with actors like Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. All three are talented actors, and Cruise shows it with this movie. While his performance here isn't on par with films such as Magnolia and Jerry Maguire, he still gives a powerful performance. He is upstaged though by Ken Watanabe as the Samurai leader. Watanabe brilliantly captures the essence of a samurai warrior. You really want this guy to win, although you know he can't. The ending is something that will bring tears to many people's eyes. The supporting cast doesn't get the same time or emphasis but they pull it off well. We didn't get to see enough of Billy Connolly, but he was good. I really enjoyed Hiroyuki Sanada as Kotsumoto's most loyal friend. He is the true picture as well for a warrior. I have enjoyed Edward Zwick movies since I have begun watching them. Glory of course is the best. This movie may not quite live up to Glory but it is sure nice to see them making a film about a subject that I never thought we would see in film again. Although this movie never will live up to Shogun, it comes close thanks to the script by Logan, Zwick, and Herskovitz. They capture the very essence of a samurai in their screenplay. The set designs are beautiful, along with the costumes. Never have I seen a movie about Japan in the 1800's that looked so real. It gave you the feeling that you were there in Japan with them. The score by Hans Zimmer is equally impressive. Gone is the loud obnoxious music from MI:2 and other action score, and is a gorgeous sounding that never overpowers the movie but compliments it. Despite the pro's we are given cons. One problem I had with the movie is the relationship between Algren and Taka (Koyuki) are never fully explored. I loved that story line. He kills her husband in battle and she is forced to help him heal. They grow closer and closer. I would have liked more. Also I had a problem with the ending. I understand why they did what they did, but I think it would have been a better ending with the final battle. But those were the only problems I could find with the movie. So in the end, I recommend you seeing this movie. It brilliantly captures what life in Japan was at that time period. It showcases amazing performances by Watanabe, Cruise, and a great supporting cast. The cinematography is beautiful as is the set design. While the battles in this movie won't match up to a lot of others we see today it doesn't matter. This isn't a movie about battle but about living. Hence the quotes "Tell me how he died." "I will tell you how he lived." 8 out of 10
Rating: 
Summary: cruise shoulda gotta oscar
Review: This is the best damn tom cruise ever.I forgot that was tom and believed he was capt.nathan algren.this movie is a masterpiece.forget that review above and watch this instant classic.
Rating:
Summary: Not too bad
Review: I'm not sure what I expected before I saw this, but it was not too bad. When I think of Tom Cruise movies some of his abominations (Days Of Thunder) come to mind. This was a pleasant surprise. One thing I hoped, however, was that it would have the epic feel of Braveheart (or movies along that line). Didn't happen. But again, all said and done, not too bad.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Production and a Surprisingly Enjoyable Story
Review: I must admit that I was beyond weary when I saw this movie. Tom Cruise is now super Samurai coming to save the day. My friends actually had to trick me into watching it. But within 20mins I was riveted to the screen. Ken Wantanabe is a superb actor. And now in my top 5. He plays the role of Katsumoto whom the Tom Cruise character is hired to flush out and destroy. Katsumoto is the sort of leader whom rules with a firm yet honorable & compassionate fist. He is the leader that we wish we had. His faiths and beliefs are rendered beautifully for the viewer yet does not bash you over the head. You easily accept & believe his convictions. Now for the fight scenes. Great work. The first scene when the troops engage with the Samurai is phenomenal and will surely send a chill up you spine as you hear Samurai battle cry through the morning fog. This scene is a pivotal point in the film as you are taken deeply (as deeply as Hollywood will go that is) into a glorious aspect of Japanese culture on its decline. And the final battle scene will have your heart beating at top speed and I assure that you will ask yourself. "Could I do that?" "Is there anything that I believe in so much?" And lastly the love interest. What Hollywood flick would be without this element? All I will say is that it is handled in a very graceful manner. Well done. I am please that I had the chance to see this movie and it has prompted my interest in the code of the Samurai which is called Bushido for "way of the warrior". For that I thank all involved. As for Tom Cruise... he plays his part well enough but you never see him as his character. You see him as Tom Cruise playing this character. I am very much so looking forward to the day when he can lose himself and his image does not block you from viewing and connecting with the character he is playing.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully filmed story with some powerful performances
Review: I liked this movie more than I thought I would. My expectations were for something both violent and saccharine. Certainly, a beautiful story about the transformation of the Japanese culture without the Tom Cruise character, but the story of Nathan Algren is a nice mirror to that of the real hero of the story, Katsumoto who is portrayed in magnificent fashion by Ken Wantanabe. At the beginning of the story, Algren is a lost and drunken soul performing as a shill in a traveling sideshow. He is drawn into a minor program of the American trade delegation to train Japanese soldiers to use Western military weapons and to perform as Western soldiers in the suppression of a band of renegade Samurai. They are rushed to battle against Algren's recommendations and are brutally defeated. Algren fights bravely. In fact, he wouldn't mind dying. Instead, his bravery interest Katsumoto and he is spared, nursed back to health, and learns some of the ways of the Samurai. Of course, he is won over to their cause and helps them in their final battle against the massed armies of the Emperor. That is all I want to say about the story. It really does work and is filmed very beautifully (and a strong reason for the widescreen version). Those who want an action film might not like the time devoted to Algren's finding himself and becoming sympathetic to the Samurai. I am glad to have that part of the story. It also helps us get to know some of the other Samurai and their values and why they are willing to die rather than simply adopt Western Modernity. It helps us realize what was being lost and corrupted. I think it is a very good movie and the violence isn't too extreme and is not there for its own sake.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: I'm a big fan of the samurai films (Toshiro Mifune is my favorate actor pre-1970). I appreciate the moral code and style of living that the samurai live. I'm also not a big fan of Tom Cruise and his blockbuster style movie career. A few of his films are entertaining (MIP, Top Gun, Taps), but not great. This film is very enjoyable. Katsumoto and Cruise's character have a very good and interesting relationship. The scenes between the two have great dialogue...in that they are enemies with great respect for each other. The cinematography is awesome (Widescreen edition is a must to get the full benefits. Beautiful. The clothing and buildings are historically accurate. The battle scenes are very graphic, so beware. They are also very honorable (being the samurai way) and emotional. I highly recommend this film for its action, story, charactization, and acting. It is a great film that belongs in everyone's collection.
Rating:
Summary: I loved it...
Review: Let me just say that this movie could have so easily been a horrible romance flick. They could have had trashy love scenes and cheesy personal moments. I believe that they handled the material and relationships between actors WONDERFULLY. Additionally, this movie had quite a few accurate historical moments and weapons. I highly recommend this flick.
Rating:
Summary: Despite it's shortcomings, this is a wonderful film
Review: The Last Samurai has all the right ingredients of a modern day masterpiece, it's ultimate flaw however is it's too predictable Hollywood components. The story revolves around tormented Civil War veteran Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) who is coerced to train the Japanese Emperor's troops in the use of modern western weaponry. Standing in the way is a rebellion of samurai warriors led by Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe in his Oscar nominated role) who refuse to let go of their honorable traditions despite being at a disadvantage. When Algren is captured, he learns and eventually adopts the way of the samurai; culminating in a would be epic battle that ends with a whimper. It seemed screenwriter John Logan had bigger plans, but the Hollywood conventions injected here from director Edward Zwick and Cruise hamper what could have been something really special. That aside though, the Last Samurai is still a great film, and Cruise and Watanabe are brilliant when both share the screen. All in all, despite it's shortcomings, the Last Samurai is a wonderful film.
Rating: 
Summary: 0 stars but alas that is not possible...
Review: The Last Samurai is a movie that erroneously glorifies Japanese history and some of its worst aspects. Loosely based on fact, the real last samurai, Saigo Takamori, that this movie is based on was a terrible murderer who held tightly to an incredibly conservative viewpoint (translation: racist) and wanted Japan to wage war against Korea. Later, it was this same superiority complex and "conservative" sentiment that ultimately influenced Japan to rape and massacre China, Korea and much of Asia in a holocaust campaign bested only by Hitler's Nazi Germany. Fact: JAPAN HAS NEVER APOLOGIZED FOR THE ATROCITIES THAT IT COMMITTED DURING WWII. Fiction: This movie. Watching this movie and liking it is like watching a movie that glorifies Hitler and liking it. Whatever floats your boat I guess. Another aspect that I find ridiculous is the notion that a samurai's suicide is honorable. Suicide is 100% cowardice and completely void of courage or honor. Saigo Takamori didn't get his way (invading Korea) and ultimately killed himself. Sounds like an immature temper tantrum taken to the extreme to me. To die for another person or for one's belief is courageous and honorable. Killing yourself for your beliefs because you don't get your way is just being a big baby and not being man or woman enough to face life and its trials. ZERO stars here.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid entertainment, but ...
Review: I enjoyed "The Last Samurai" as a piece of epic entertainment, but it misses true greatness by at least a mile. The movie might best be described as a hybrid of "Dances With Wolves" and "Braveheart," with maybe a little "Gladiator" thrown in. I kept feeling like I'd seen this movie before. Actually, the movie works best when it's in "Dances" mode, chronicling the adventures of a depressed white Civil War hero (Cruise in the Costner role) who adopts the lifestyle and teachings of a threatened civilization and ends up defending said civilization against encroaching white society. This is the most compelling aspect of the movie, even though its structure is borrowed whole from a film that most people now claim to despise because of its "political correctness." Cruise is very good as Nathan Algren, the alien in 19th century Japan, caught in the middle of a civil war of another kind, between ancient Samurai warriors and a government seeking to "modernize" itself with weapons imported from the U.S. He's bested by Ken Watanabe as a Samurai tribal chief interested in learning the ways of his enemy. Algren eventually becomes an honorary Samurai himself and fights against his own people, in a climactic battle lifted entirely from "Braveheart." Most of the action scenes are exciting, and there's plenty of Bushido lore and swordplay to keep Samurai enthusiasts happy. The photography is gorgeous, too. But it's still Hollywood's idea of an alien culture, a story told through the eyes of a white man who, by definition, can never fully experience the culture which the movie itself so desperately wants us to understand.
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