The Last Samurai (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Emotions run high in 'Last Samurai', a sweeping epic directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, Legends of the Fall). This film tells the story of an American war hero, Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), sent on a mission to Japan in 1876 to help train their army in western warfare. While the Emperor & his advisors crave westernization, the Emperor doesn't know how to tackle/overcome his loyalties to his Samurai lineage. Ultimately, he & his advisors, along with the American military will attempt to put an end to the samurai tribe at all costs. In the first 20 minutes or so, we see Tom Cruise acting like Tom Cruise in a period war epic. He is not overly believable. But he improves greatly. And after this initial hiccup, I find little to dwell on negatively. The movie is absolutely splendid.
In Japan, Nathan finds that the Japanese army has not been trained effectively in using guns; they are awful. In a nifty scene, he commands a young man to try to shoot him at relatively close range - he can’t do it. Just as Nathan starts to work his magic with the army in a forest, they are bombarded by the Samurai tribe. Many men are killed, & we are introduced to their leader, Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe). He spares Nathan's life, captures him, brings him back to his son's village in the mountains, & drills him for questions on his war tactics. Katsumoto is an amazing man. He leads the samurai with grace, humility, courage, dignity, & loyalty. One of the most important themes in life, according to him, is having a 'good death'. He is not scared of death. If the Emperor commands his death, he will kill himself. If he must die on the battlefield, he will do it with pride.
Katsumoto keeps Algren at the home of his sister, Taka (Koyuki). She's not happy that he's staying with her & her 2 children because Algren had just killed her husband in the forest battle. However, she maintains her duty, bottles up her strength, & nurses him to health. Over time, she witnesses the effect that he has over the village & her children. They start to look up to him as a father, & he enjoys them very much. Her admiration of his strength & care for her children makes her attracted to him. Meanwhile, Katsumoto takes Algren's war history journal; studying it from cover to cover. Over time, the 2 men come to respect & even like each other. Maybe the guns & canons in modern warfare (examples of evolving technology) isn't the right way. Nature reigns supremely for these men.
In the end, there's a great battle btwn. the modern Japanese army & the Samurai. How could there not be? Cruise comes face to face with an American Colonal (Tony Goldwyn) & lets him know that he will be the 1st target. There are many layers to the plot & amazing scenes that can't be described accurately on paper. There is some question as to who the Last Samurai is; I say it is Katsumoto. Algren joins the Samurai in spirit, but Samurai is not in his blood. Since history dictates that the Samurai dynasty has been over for many years, it seems obvious to me that Katsumoto be the one that the title refers to.
'The Last Samurai' follows the basic Epic formula: intro, conflict, climax & resolution. For more than half the movie, Cruise convinces me of his part. I do think he is underrated in Hollywood circles. And Watanabe is elegant in his role; no other way to put it. The scenery is lush; full of grandeur & opulence. The story is gripping. The script covers great scope; but is intelligent, as well. The cinematography, sets, & costumes are incredible. The characterizations are convincing. The music score will get your heart pumping & sweep you away. It just all comes together here. 'The Last Samurai' made me cringe at the gore, fill up with emotion, & feel inspired - almost simultaneously. Very fulfilling. And it's one of my favorite films of 2003.
In Japan, Nathan finds that the Japanese army has not been trained effectively in using guns; they are awful. In a nifty scene, he commands a young man to try to shoot him at relatively close range - he can’t do it. Just as Nathan starts to work his magic with the army in a forest, they are bombarded by the Samurai tribe. Many men are killed, & we are introduced to their leader, Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe). He spares Nathan's life, captures him, brings him back to his son's village in the mountains, & drills him for questions on his war tactics. Katsumoto is an amazing man. He leads the samurai with grace, humility, courage, dignity, & loyalty. One of the most important themes in life, according to him, is having a 'good death'. He is not scared of death. If the Emperor commands his death, he will kill himself. If he must die on the battlefield, he will do it with pride.
Katsumoto keeps Algren at the home of his sister, Taka (Koyuki). She's not happy that he's staying with her & her 2 children because Algren had just killed her husband in the forest battle. However, she maintains her duty, bottles up her strength, & nurses him to health. Over time, she witnesses the effect that he has over the village & her children. They start to look up to him as a father, & he enjoys them very much. Her admiration of his strength & care for her children makes her attracted to him. Meanwhile, Katsumoto takes Algren's war history journal; studying it from cover to cover. Over time, the 2 men come to respect & even like each other. Maybe the guns & canons in modern warfare (examples of evolving technology) isn't the right way. Nature reigns supremely for these men.
In the end, there's a great battle btwn. the modern Japanese army & the Samurai. How could there not be? Cruise comes face to face with an American Colonal (Tony Goldwyn) & lets him know that he will be the 1st target. There are many layers to the plot & amazing scenes that can't be described accurately on paper. There is some question as to who the Last Samurai is; I say it is Katsumoto. Algren joins the Samurai in spirit, but Samurai is not in his blood. Since history dictates that the Samurai dynasty has been over for many years, it seems obvious to me that Katsumoto be the one that the title refers to.
'The Last Samurai' follows the basic Epic formula: intro, conflict, climax & resolution. For more than half the movie, Cruise convinces me of his part. I do think he is underrated in Hollywood circles. And Watanabe is elegant in his role; no other way to put it. The scenery is lush; full of grandeur & opulence. The story is gripping. The script covers great scope; but is intelligent, as well. The cinematography, sets, & costumes are incredible. The characterizations are convincing. The music score will get your heart pumping & sweep you away. It just all comes together here. 'The Last Samurai' made me cringe at the gore, fill up with emotion, & feel inspired - almost simultaneously. Very fulfilling. And it's one of my favorite films of 2003.