Astounding, Breathtaking, and Authentic portrayal of tragic times

Rating: 10/10 (8 January 2004)

This is the BEST movie I have ever seen!
Ken Watanabe as "Katsumodo" is the best acting ever. I look at pictures and watch online video interviews and cannot reconcile his demeanor with the fierce vitality of the character he portrays. Tom Cruise also does a terrific job (his best role), but he is not afraid of being cast alongside the best.
If there is a bit of historical background to the demise of the Shogun and the Samurai that is missing and would make the major theme of the movie stand out even clearer, this weakness is hugely overcome by the devotion of all the principals (the actors, director, cast and others) to the importance of the Menji reformation and the doom it spelled for tragic hereos such as Saigo Takamori (the inspiration for "Katsumodo").
The authenticity of the life and culture of the Samurai is breathtaking. Most astounding is the ability of all the actors in filling every moment, every word, every silent look with the exact meaning contributing to their characters and the immensely important times in which their characters lived. It is quite telling when you can see a movie on different nights, and every giggle and titter from the audience comes at the same place, no matter how subtle the nuance of humor the characters are portraying.
Support the professionals who have brought you this galvanizing story of epic proportions...GO OUT AND SEE THE MOVIE! IT'S WORTH IT! Then buy the video, so you can watch it over...and over...and over...