Brilliance

Rating: 9/10 (6 December 2003)

Just saw the movie last night ,i didn't even realize how long it was until i looked at my watch and realized it was one in the morning . Thats becasue i was hooked from the first scene , i swear i never even blinked.
First off the only film that could possibly have a chance to top the cinamatography of this one would be LOTR return of the king . The camera work presenting scenery is absolutely stunning it truly sells the landscape of Japan( amazingly enough it was filmed in New Zealand). The battle sequences were also out of this world , unlike master and commander , where it was hard to tell who was hitting who , and moving to fast for your eyes to follow. No these battles are crisp , clear , and beautifully done . ( whats most impressive is that Tom Cruise and Ken Watabe do all their own stunts) Now as far as the story goes, don't listen to those idiots who judge a film before seeing it, this is nothing like Dances with wolves ,yea sure both films feauture a white man assimilating to a different culture , but thats as far as it goes ..anyone who thinks "Last Samurai " copied off Dances with wolves is mistaken.(no hating on kevin costner i love his movies to) The film transitions very smoothly from scene to scene , full of morality, its defeinatley one of those movies that will change you in someway spiritually. Not to give away anything but the love story is definately not the cliche everyone predicted its very complex. The acting is out of this world ( To hell with all of you that hate on Cruise) he 's awesome and he proves it once again in this film. This is my personal favorite of his performances second only to Jerry Maguire. Cruise perfectly portray's a man who has lost it all and has no reason to live , then expiereinces a spiritual rejouvination and finds a purpose to exist again. As always he does excellent , working off other people but it when the camera sits on him alone that he shines . The Music fits the mood of the film nicely ,and adds to the emotion . THere's also a light touch of humor in a couple of scenes which does justice to the film. THe samurai culrutre presented in this film can is one of the coolest elements , the movie offered. (THERE ARE NINJAS!!! awesome badass!) In closing i give this film 8.5/10 , look for cruise to be in the hunt for his first oscar , and for this movie to be in line for several other awards , including best director , cinamotography and Picture.
"that was an order , did you not hear me? " "no offense sir , but shove it up your ass"