East meets West...and the East wins!

Rating: 8/10 (19 February 2005)

This is something I've been waiting for for so long. To see a movie about Japanese culture and samurai tradition succeed in the West. Of course, the only way it could have been done was if it was made by the Americans. And I must say that Edward Zwick and the rest have done an admirable job. This movie is done in an authentic Japanese style and only thing that stands out as un-Japanese is Tom Cruise.
The movie is set in the late 19th century and talks about the so-called Meiji-restoration, a special chapter in Japan's history when Japan was made a modern state, partly modeled on Western countries. The error is that Meiji is supposedly impressed with USA and wants to create an army which is modeled on theirs. That was not the case because Americans never trained their army but the Prussians and it's more likely that Meiji and his government were closer connected to them than USA, as it was later shown in Japan's history when they allied themselves with Hitler's Germany. And it is not unlikely because the two countries share many similarities in the way their society and state is modeled.
But lets return to the movie itself. Ken Watanabe caught the eye of Hollywood here for the first time and deservedly so, for his performance is impressive at every turn and same can be said about his screen presence. Another pleasant surprise to me was Koyuki, the young Japanese actress who brings her breathtaking beauty and charisma into the film, like a breathe of fresh air in a movie elsewhere dominated by stern and grim-looking men. Hiroyuki Sanada is a pleasure to watch as always, although he gets too little screen time. His fencing scenes with Cruise are a joy to watch and both actors do a great job there. Shin Koyamada is also a pleasant surprise as Katsumoto's son who dies a heroic death ensuring the escape of his father and his warriors in a well shot scene. The ninja attack and the final battle are incredibly well choreographed and shot. Tom Cruise is credible as Algren and although his less-than-imposing presence makes it hard to picture him as a swashbuckling macho hero, he still serves his purpose.
"The Last Samurai" is one of the most positive happenings in the 21st century Hollywood. It recreated a lost culture, a culture that was as admirable as it was cruel and stern. The cherry tree scene is among the most expressive and beautiful I have seen in an American film. Ken Watanabe's Oscar worthy performance, the beauty and charisma of Koyuki and the sweeping landscapes and battle scenes are more than enough to bring you pleasure. 8/10