The Last Samurai (2003)

Arrogant, presumptive, historically/culturally inaccurate

This movie is TERRIBLE. Anyone who's actually sat down and STUDIED this time period cannot watch this film without criticizing it. Yeah, sure, rural peasants who are so poor they live in the mountains eat fluffy rich-people white rice. Uh huh. And Japanese is SUCH an easy language to learn. If you want to make a film about Saigo Takamori and the Satsuma Rebellion, please do. It's a fascinating moment in history. But this exoticized, orientalist, American-centric pastiche masquerading as a historical drama is just made of fail. Also, has no one ever heard of the Inequal Treaties? The Treaty of Amity and Commerce? Most Favored Nation status?

Also, the treatment of samurai as a class is embarrassingly ham-handed. Most samurai at this point were underemployed government bureaucrats. Maybe they were policemen. These samurai would have been farmers. They were in a position of privilege, at least theoretically. Also, people did not bow to samurai in the streets. Haha, no.

The many (many many many many) historical inaccuracies and snafus, as well as the utter arrogance of the premise that we need a white man to be the main character in order to enjoy a historical drama, have been detailed and remarked on other sites and in professional reviews.

Ugh. I cannot suspend my disbelief for this film. Too many logic/history problems. Occasionally it'll do something true to the time period, or at least "true enough," so I'll give it a two, but really, don't waste your time with this one. It's nothing but a stereotyped oversimplification of Japanese history and culture. November 21, 2008

An enjoyable cinematic experience

The year is 1876, Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) has been hired by the Japanese in order to help the Imperial Japanese Army become more 'modern' and less 'traditional' and ultimately prepare them to fight the legendary Samurai. Events occur that cause Tom Cruise to be a captive of the deadly but extremely polite Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) who is the leader of the Japanese Samurai. This is where the movie really starts to shine and and a beautiful forgotten world that we know little about comes alive thanks to the great director Edward Zwick and the ledgendary Hans Zimmer brings an unforgettable soundtrack.

Tom Cruise has been in the movie industry for a long time and to date in my opinion this is by far his best performance. He discovered after his capture that the samurai are peaceful and as bad as they are made out to be, Cruise's character becomes emotionally bound to them and he integrates himself into their society after working hard to earn their trust. Another special part of the film is that a relationship develops between Algren and a quiet widow by the name of Taka, however this isn't a main part of the film it shows that the film isn't all about power and a disappearing nation but an emotional and beautiful aspect of the film.

The Last Samurai is a deep emotional and violent film which has become a triumphant in the movie industry. Thanks for it's gripping storytelling, and excellent character design. By far Tom's Cruise's finest hour.

October 25, 2008

I didn't see Dances with Wolves...

So I won't make comparisons with that movie. I thought this is a well-done film. Sympathetic, and respectful of our culture. Thank you Hollywood and Zwick and Logan from a 'nihonjin.' I thought Cruise did a great job. I didn't see any of the reckless grinning that he known for, and he did a great portrayal of a disillusioned but fierce and loyal soldier. And this was exactly how many of the samurai felt in that era. This was a great fantasy film about a time of great change in Japan. You have to remember this is a fairy tale, but the Meiji Restoration was a turning point in Japan's history that I am happy that Americans can be better aquainted with. And the love scenes were well crafted, no obligatory sex scene (thats absolutely impossible for a gaijin and nihonjin in that time period!!!) It was a stretch to see Cruise handle a katana so well, and I was prepared to laugh going into the movie, but the story really turned me around, it was so well done that it felt natural. September 9, 2008

Tom Cruise at his best!

Okay, so I might like Tom Cruise more than your average person, but no one can say this movie was poorly done or that the acting was bad.

EXCELLENT movie!! August 29, 2008

Awesomeeeeeeeeeee!!

Just a really well done movie. This has it all: an epic scale, a love story, outstanding soundtrack, and fight scenes. Plain greatness. August 8, 2008

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