Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune would be proud...

Rating: Null/10 (9 February 2004)

..."The Last Samurai" is an epic adventure/war film in the eve of "The Lord of the Rings" and "Gladiator". The large-scale plot focuses on a Captain Nathan Algren, an American haunted by his violent past, who travels to Japan to teach them how to use "new" firearms in a battle, specifically a battle against an army of samurai, led by the fierce Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe). After an early battle, the Japanese army is massacred by the samurai, and Algren is captured. He is brought to the samurai's home, where he heals from his wounds and talks to Katsumoto about the Japanese army and Katsumoto's rebellion. Eventually Algren realizes he was on the wrong side, and joins Katsumoto to fight against the Japanese army (all the while learning the way of the samurai).
As epics go, the cinematography, choreography, writing and direction are all...well, large would be the word that comes to mind. Huge battles, long, beautiful shots; talks of honor, etc. Coincidentally, the screenplay was penned by the same writer who did "Gladiator", John Logan. I must say, this guy loves making his subject honor, which is good. The two movies were very exciting, thrilling, and entertaining.
Another thing great about this movie is the acting. This is definitely one of Tom Cruise's better films. Of course, Cruise is hardly the gem of this movie, because Watanabe steals the show. Every scene he's in, no matter what actor or character is there with him, your eyes are glued to his face. His presence is astounding, you'd swear his emotions were genuine. I really hope he walks home with the Oscar this year.
"The Last Samurai" deserved every Oscar nom it got, and then some (come on...Seabiscuit?), 8.5/10.