Well-done historical action drama with some minor flaws

Rating: 7/10 (9 December 2003)

"The Last Samurai" is the story of Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a war hero tormented by guilt for his past deeds and seeking to drown himself in a bottle. Just as things are looking their worst, he is offered a new job: Travel to Japan and teach the Emperor's troops the ways of modern warfare, in an effort to squash a rebellion of samurai led by one Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe). The story is fairly predictable: Without going into too much detail, Algren is captured by the samurai and comes to respect their beliefs and way of life, eventually joining their side in an effort to redeem himself for the Native Americans he had killed, and whom he sees mirrored in this proud warrior culture.
The movie is beautifully shot, with great care given to the costumes and landscapes. The peaceful samurai village has an almost mystical air, of some far-off legend which cannot exist in the modern world. There is plenty of action and heroism, and a suitably grand battle scene to end things. It's all been done before, but this does not mean the movie is not entertaining.
The one problem I have had was the over-use of cheap devices to provoke emotion, which had the action bordering on melodrama on several occasions. We don't need slow, sad music and slow-motion footage every time some character dies or gets hurt. Subtly inserting emotional content is one thing, but this film takes it and beats you over the head with it, then shoves it down your throat. It felt rather insulting and unnecessary, almost like the sad equivalent of a laugh track. But perhaps it was just me.
Nevertheless, this was overall an entertaining and well-shot quasi-historical drama / action film, with plenty of enjoyment for all movie-goers.