The Last Samurai

Beautiful Film

This film is beautiful in so many ways. It touches something deep within me that mourns the loss of the old ways, even in my own life.

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Like Dances With Wolves, but better

I don't mean to discredit Kevin Costner's film because it was very good, but The Last Samurai made more of an impact on me. I was especially taken in by the scene in the final battle when Civil War veteran Nathan Algren looks around and once again sees men fighting their own countrymen to the blood-soaked, gruesome, remorseless end, literally hacking each other apart or shooting the enemy to ribbons. Kudos to Timothy Spall, who begins and finishes the narrative. He did a great job even though he's not in many portions of the film. Just as Costner decided to forsake his own culture for another way of life, Cruise's character wishes to forget his past: he once took part in a massacre of Indian women and children in a village. Captured by the samurai after a brief but ferocious stand on his own, he's forced to spend months in their midst (in fact living with the family of a man he killed) and comes to not only appreciate but honor their ways. Ken Watanabe, the leader, and Hiroyuki Sanada, the second in command, were terrific as the former teaches Algren with "a good conversation" and the latter shows him how to wield a sword. Epic cinema.

the samurai western

While the film glamorizes and paints the era in a light that is much more respectable than it really was, it protrays the themes and elements that are in the philosophy of the time well. It is the westerns of Japan, a combination of realism and folk myth to create an excellent film. First, Ken Watanabe's performance is surpurb. Now I am not a paticular fan of Tom Cruise, he can never stop being tom cruise in any of his movies, and he is always running. literally. However, this film is fantastic and he redeems himself as an actor. The story arc and character arc in Alegrn is poetic and inspiring. the emotional love story between Algren and Taka is the reminder Hollywood needs that explict sex in not needed to communicate passionate love and adoration and devotion. The film is not usually up there among critics and film-goers but it should be.

Words can't explain the way I feel about this movie

It's one of the most emotional gripping movies I have ever seen. Finally, a movie about honor, respect, determination and loyalty! Many of the scenes are so beautifully shoot and the script is very well done. I am happy that I was able to see this movie in theater and now own in on DVD. I also own the soundtrack which is incredible!! The music is great to calm yourself, relax, help go to sleep, meditate and just make your environment peaceful.

Spectacular

For those who have allowed the media to turn them against Tom Cruise...just watch. In what I feel is his greatest performance, Cruise steals scene after scene. Timothy Spall also turns in a worthy performance. There is a great deal of action, if not so much adventure, but it is very gripping and quite unsugarcoated. The plot cannot, in any way, be called predictable. It is full of sadness and pain and emotionally very charging. 5 stars. Recomended for action fans who like Platoon and fans of the Orient.

Excellent

"The Last Samurai" unlike many other war and battle oriented films is very different. Its not just the war sequences that you should be attracted to this movie for, its also for the wonderfull scenario of the 19th Century Japan and the emotional bond between each individual in the film. I have seen quite few films of Tom Cruise but this one is probably one of his few best's. Tom Cruise did very well so did Ken Wantanbe. The japanese lady who played the role of Wantanbe's sister "Taka" did extremely well. I almost had a crush on her in the film, she potrayed her role very well. Each and everyone individual did very well. Very good presentation, great direction. The DVD has a lot of interesting features other than its widescreen format. There is also few deleted scenes and cast interviews and a History Channel Documentry, etc. Dont forget to get this on Dvd if you loved the movie wholeheartedly.

da bomb

i am a big fan of action movies and,although not THE best movie i have ever seen,it surtainly takes top 10. i definitly recomend it. a bit long though. definitly not for kids. some strong language,lots of violence and blood still i give it 3 thumbs up

Spectacular!!!

The Last Samuri is by far one of the best movies i have seen. The story line is amazing and so are the battle scenes

Best R-Rated Movie I've Seen Yet!

This movie is the best movie I've seen since Return of the King came out (I saw this movie for the first time just recently). It has a great story, Tome Cruise and Ken Watanabe do a great job, the acting is great, the action is great (not too gory, but exciting), the dialogue is great, and it doesn't include anything inappropriately "romantic." Seriously, if you have any interest in Japan, like exciting movies, and like Tom Cruise (or even if you don't), I think you'll love this movie.

hmmm...

well, i wasn't too Gung-ho with this movie, so i gave it only 3 stars. yet, i must say.... it is very well made, and a great story line. overall, it was alright. i prefer the Patriot more.

Enthralling, Potent, and Deeply Moving

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It is the kind of film you can watch over and over again, and it never gets tiring. This is the mesmerizing story of Captain Nathan Algren, a civil war veteran who is haunted by his traumatic experiences of the war. When he is taken captive by the samurai while fighting against them, he is kept in their village for the winter. He finds himself inspired and intrigued by their disciplined way of life and their honor, and soon pledges himself to their cause. Throughout the entire film I was completely enthralled. I found so many scenes touching, and by the end I was in tears. Cruise and Watanabe both delivered oscar-worthy performances. The rest of the cast was equilly impressive. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. No matter what genre you prefer, this movie is just perfect.

Awesome!

This movie is on my top ten list! Great, outstanding. It is so good. And for you who are sensitive to R rated movies it really isn't as violent as Braveheart if you know what I mean. Definately Tom Cruis's finest hour!

Great movie on the past!

If you like history of Samurais and how they were slowly dwindling because of advances in technology you will love this movie! This movie is pretty correct with the timeline in history. It is a great action movie also it is not just like a boring history movie like some that have come out before. This movie keeps you in the plot and hoping that they will prevail and be able to protect themselves and keep their very special way of life. You find yourself starting to like some of the characters and hoping they will live to see another day. Even though Tom Cruise with his brown hair doesn¿t look like a typical samurai would he still learns to love them and embrace them. They look on him as an outsider when he first enters their village because he does look so different from their traditional black hair and robes that they wear but they learn to accept the differences. That is what makes this movie so good. You know that it is possible to become friends with anyone even with all of your differences and the backgrounds that you come from. This movie can teach us all about accepting each other. That is why this movie is the best.

Amazing!

I loved this movie! It is so powerful and deep that it makes you really think about the Samurai way of life. Tom Cruise plays his part flawlessly. I was blown away by his performance- he's deserving of his fame. But this movie truly has a heart, and something even deeper, perhaps even a soul, that keeps it thriving. It will definitely be a movie worth watching many years from now- timeless and unforgettable.

SUPERB!!

SUPERB!! Acting, SUPERB!! Story, SUPERB!! Characters, SUPERB!! Scenery, SUPERB!! Moral - One of the 5 best of 2003. See below.

Watch the samurai at it's best!!!!

This movie has such a dramatic soul. I felt more emotion from this single movie then from any number of ones in the past. It gave credit to justice and chivalry at its best, but it as well gave forth to intrigue. This movie gave you the best of all worlds without taking away from the true heart of the civilization and western influence. SEE THE MOVIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Movie!

This is one of my favorite movies of all time! It is as good as the Return of the King. I can't wait for it to come out on video. Make sure you don't let this one pass by.

One of my favorite movies ever! (Saddest too)

God, I loved this movie! This movie was terrifc and sad. It was terrific because Cruise and Wantanabe deliver excellent acting, battle sequences were awesome, and you actually cared for some of the characters. It was sad especially in the last few minutes of the movie, I couldn't help shedding a few tears. You'll have to watch the movie if you want to know more as I don't want to you spoil it for you. Another thing, the score. Beautiful. Rating: 93/100 Recommended:Highly

A perfect thriller

If you like bloddy movies and samuri stuff you will like this

Best movie this year

I loved this movie. Tom Cruise was great! This is a 'must see'. Acting was wonderful and the casting was great! But then I love historical type epic movies. Ken Watenabe was new to me and I hope to see more of him in the future. Great scenics also. This movie was done in very good taste. Battle scenes were great and the love scenes in the best of taste seen for a very long time. This movie should have taken an Oscar