Superb

Rating: 8/10 (13 July 2006)

What can I say, the only film that starred Tom Cruise during which I forgot I was watching the Tom Cruise show. I cannot believe that Cruise did not win an Oscar for his role as Capt. Nathan Algren a disillusioned civil war hero who spends much of his time drunk and in menial employment.
Sent to Japan to fight the Samurai-who are fighting against the emperor's weak-willed natured and his advisers who are determined to westernise Japan; he finds himself joining their cause, and finding meaning in their lifestyle. Not only are the relationships in the film handled with extreme poignancy especially between Taka and Algren. The camera work lovingly shows Japan in all its beauty and you can understand just why Algren would be seduced by such a lifestyle.
A truly brilliant film, which went much ignored when released, I urge you to watch this film, especially if you liked Gladiator, Dances With Wolves or The Last of The Mohicans or if you just enjoy a great film and a great story with great attention to detail. Edward Zwick's direction tells the story at a measured pace, it seems unusual in films released today to actually find a great story; however this is certainly not the case with The Last Samurai.