You know what you're getting

Rating: 5/10 (22 April 2004)

Luscious scenery and well choreographed fight scenes offset what is basically a predictable and derivative script.
The script is tailor made for Cruise in his "Disenchanted hero" role, a la "Top Gun" and... well pretty much every movie he's ever made. The ending is as predictable as it is cheesy.
Also an attempt to cash in on the popularity of sword battle movies from the last few years.
Still worth watching for performances from Ken Watanabe, Timothy Spall (who should be cast in more movies) and Japan itself, which turns in a splendid performance of perfect sunsets and verdant mountains.
Overall: 5 / 10