Beauty beyond words

Rating: 10/10 (29 October 2016)

"The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You can spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life."
Honestly, this is my favourite movie. Funny, because 'War' is one of my least favourite genres. But this movie is what I think is perfection. I admire Japanese culture, which probably helped, but this just had something special about it. And I can't finish watching it without tears welling up in my eyes (I think this is the only movie I've ever cried whilst watching). It's sad, it's heartbreaking, and it's very much how the world has been. There are many things that can be learnt from this movie.
Ultimately, the movie comes down to people defending something they love and hold dearly, and dying for that and a precious and forgotten code of values - Bushido.
It's amazing how the movie takes you down the exact path of Algren (Tom Cruise) - at first you view the Samurai as evil and you're sure you can't forgive them for what they did in that first battle scene, but as you see more and learn more, you begin to love the very thing you thought you'd always hate.
Despite other movies being similar (namely 'Defiance'), they just don't hold the same beauty and intricacies of 'The Last Samurai'.
If you're looking for something to make you cry, try this. Even if you aren't, watch it anyway. Wouldn't recommend anything more highly.