Despite Cruise, Samurai Rules

Rating: Null/10 (21 November 2003)

Having been subjected to the stupidity that is Master and Commander, where Russell Crowe basically does his usual thing against a mean-spirited and angry background. I thought, not another story of White makes Right. Yuck!
So, I attended a screener of this film with much trepidation. Let's face it; the old (not to mention VERY tired) device of having a white guy out "native" the natives hasn't been interesting for a couple decades. That Cruise's character is hired by a Japanese high government official to teach the Japanese Army to fight "Western" seemed a warning sign. But all the flashbacks and his obvious hatred for his former commanding officer seem to be telling the audience that this guy isn't some gung-ho soldier.
The movie, which really doesn't get going until Cruise is captured by the titular character and forced to spend a winter recuperating, is a bit overlong at 2 1/2 hours. It also has a strange editing choice that occurs at the top of the third act where Cruise kills several men in a beautifully shot and cut sequence that is then repeated, without giving any new information, in a blue tint. It is confusing to many and takes the viewer out of the action.
Deeply violent, as war movies should be, there is a muted love interest, thankfully never realized during the film. It is Cruise's slack-mouthed "lust" gaze (the same look he's used since Risky Business) in addition to many of his facial ticks and use of overly loud emoting all reminded this viewer we are watching Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise as a racecar driver. Tom Cruise as a motivational speaker. Tom Cruise as a war vet. Tom Cruise as a samurai. It is all the same.
As a word of extreme praise, I want to commend the casting folks for putting Ken Watanabe to such fine use. He is an ACTOR of extreme gifts. As the Last Samurai, his interactions with Cruise are the only times Tom actually seems to bother trying to act. It must have been a bit intimidating being in the presence of such a fine artisan.
The deeply jaundiced view of people in power is amazing considering the Don't Gripe, Don't Protest view so common here in the states. And because it is a movie, satisfaction on all fronts is only 2 1/2 hours away.
Spectacular acting (though none of it by Cruise), imaginative casting, over-the-top violence and grace, The Last Samurai is a spectacle of the first order. Well worth your time and consideration.