conflict between cultures--best weapon wins

Rating: 9/10 (26 November 2003)

It has been true throughout history, that when two opposing cultures clash the one with the most modern weapons wins. This film tells the story of which weapon may truly be the best. Tom Cruise produces and stars in a film which could have been a cliche of a burnt out soldier drowning in booze hired to train a foreign army in "modern" warfare. It could have been bloody battles and explosions. It was neither. It was more.
Captured by the Samurai early in the film he is taken in order for the leader to "learn and study" his enemy.﻿It is apparent to everyone watching the film that Cruise's fate is to be death at the hand of the man Cruise believes his bodyguard. But over the long winter, Cruise develops a curiosity about his captors, their method of fighting, their beliefs developing a respect for the Samurai and their leader. Stockholm syndrome in the 19th century? If so, the film goer is also subject to it, enthralled by the storytelling and performances. Paired with Cruise in a interesting yin/yang relationship is Ken Wantanabe as the Samurai leader. Wantanabe's acting skills duel well with Cruise. Over the winter, Cruise barges into the training and bruisingly gains enough skill to encourage betting among the Samuri as to how long he will last in a bout. While there is a gory climatic battle scene, most of the film is preparing for war, planning for war, practicing for war and finally engaging in war between two elements of Japan's culture. Bows and arrows and swords against howitzers and gatling guns. The victory does not result as one might surmise.
Tom Cruise disappears totally into his character probably earning an Oscar nod by doing so.