The Last Samurai

Review #145
Warner Bros., 2003
Genre: Historical Drama
Mov No. 40226
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Staring: Ken Watanabe, Tom Cruise
Oscars: 4 nomination
AFI 100 years, 100 _____ tributes: None
Runtime: 2h 34
Best quote: "They say Japan was made by a sword. They say the old gods dipped a coral blade into the ocean, and when they pulled it out four perfect drops fell back into the sea, and those drops became the islands of Japan. I say, Japan was made by a handful of brave men. Warriors, willing to give their lives for what seems to have become a forgotten word: honor." - Simon Graham, narrating

In old Japan, the ways of Bushido and honor, the ways of the Samurai, are gradually being forgotten. The western ways are taking over faster than was expected.

An American, Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), has been selected to go to Japan to help the Emperor defeat a rogue band of Samurai led by Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe).

During their initial fight, Algren is captured. Forced to live at the Samurai temple, Algren learns the ways of the Samurai; he trains as a Samurai, eventually becomming frineds with Kastumoto.

Algren and Katsumoto soon learn of the Emperor's army marshalling it's forces in order to attack the Samurai. An inevitable battle between the Samuai and west-trained forces is soon to follow... and Algren must decide if he is to turn his back on his homeland and fight alongside the Samurai, or betray them...

Personal Comments

There is not a lot to be said about The Last Samurai. It is hard to imagine what training as a Samurai warrior must have been like. It was grueling, to be sure, but in the end rewarding.

Plot:
The Last Samurai is a fresh appraoch to the tried-and-true 'captive-learns-lifestyle' motif. Being tried-and-true, however, doesn't always mean it will be boring or recycled - far from it.

The Last Samurai is a close spin off of The Bridge on the River Kwai, with a twist, andrevisits the 'captive' motif with suprisingly good results.

Visual Effects:
Exceptional cinematography, and the costumes are exceptional.

Ngila Dickson, who received an Oscar nomination for her costume designs used in The Last Samurai, also received a nomintion for her work on The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, in this same year. (She won for The Lord of the Rings.)

Sound:
There is a soundtrack to the film and it works well.

Character Development:
There is a severe change in Tom Crusie's Algren, and there is an equal change in Watanabe's Katsumoto. Each character learns to respect each other, starting out as enemies and becoming friends to the bitter end.

Atmosphere:

Realism:
One would tend to belive that this is what life was like in old Japan. The detail of the film is very realistic; however, there is a dash of Hollywood in this film; not easily seen, but it is there. This happens in many, but not all, war films.

Warren’s Rating:

FINAL RATING

Is the movie worth your time to watch?

30-12-04