Epic movie, great production, Cruise superbly confident

Rating: 9/10 (5 December 2003)

Tom Cruise as a samurai? I had my doubts. But, since I love Legends of the Fall and Glory, I had faith in Edward Zwick's epic storytelling ability and I was not disappointed. This movie is fantastic in almost every way - Zwick was a touch sappy and melodramatic at times, but not enough to be distracting.

Cruise was at the top of his game, wtih a confidence that seems to only increase with age. When I first heard of this movie I was very skeptical one would be able to get past the persona of Tom Cruise and believe he was a samurai. Thankfully the performance left no doubts. Cruise was helped by an extremely strong (and almost assuredly ignored) performance from Ken Watanabe as Katsumoto, the
leader of the remaining samurai. The scenes between the two of them as Cruise is beginning to discover the samurai culture are among the best in the movie.
Lastly, one cannot say enough about John Toll as a director of photography.
This movie is so strikingly beautiful the cinematography is as important a
character as any. From the quiet, contemplative scenes while Cruise is a
prisoner among the samurai to the unbelievable action sequences which are
very reminiscent of Bravelheart, Toll does a remarkable job. The
cinematography is enough to make you cry, and you add in the great cast and
wonderful directing by Zwick, and you've got a great movie.

Do yourself a favor and see this movie on the big screen as epics are intended to be seen. Highly recommended. **** out of *****