A Great Work of Art (Spoilers)

Rating: Null/10 (20 March 2004)

ATTN: Please take notice that this review contains spoilers for the movie. You have been warned.
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When I first saw the trailer for `The Last Samurai,' I immediately wanted to see it. Why? Well, I'm a bit of a sucker for any movie which appears to contain large medieval-style sword battles. This also sparked my interest in Samurai culture, and I remain quite interested in it to this day. So I looked forward to the movie, and while I waited I looked up the history behind the story.
And finally, after much waiting, it came out. Although some movies get so much hype you're disappointed in the end, `The Last Samurai' certainly didn't let me down at all. It is definitely a great work of art, and I plan to buy it as soon as it's available on DVD.
Firstly, the storyline is interesting. Yes, it's potentially overdone a little, especially with Tom Cruise who often plays characters down on their luck. Nevertheless, it keeps you interesting, and the following plotline of Algren's interaction with the leader, Katsumoto, and his sister, Taka, really interests you. `The Last Samurai' isn't just a movie about fighting Samurai, it's also a romance story. I've actually heard it's a good date movie. Not something you'd expect.
Secondly, the acting is superb. Tom Cruise plays a good a believable character whom we really feel for. Now, Cruise is good, but Ken Watanabe is simply amazing. I can't really say enough about this man's talent at acting. He is more than believable, he IS Katsumoto. His words of wisdom throughout the movie keep the whole plotline going. Koyuki is a beautiful and talented actress, and works well with Cruise.
In other supporting roles, there is Katsumoto's grim and solemn lieutenant, Ujio, played by Hiroyuki Sanada. Personally, I loved the guy. One of my favorite characters in the entire movie. There is also the Silent Samurai, played by Seizo Fukumoto, and Katsumoto's son Nobutada, played by Shin Koyamada. They all play their parts well and provide an excellent cast of minor supporting roles. Even Billy Connolly does a good job with his character.
The action is intense, fast-paced, and will leave you almost stunned and speechless the first time you see it. The last battle is one of the most memorable I have ever seen, and it almost made me come to tears (yeah, I can get pretty emotional). I'm also glad that they skipped the possibly obligatory intimate scene between Taka and Algren. The plot worked quite well without it, and was much more enjoyable for me that the romance was kept clean.
Overall, a 5 out of 5. A great movie and work of art that I would suggest to just about everyone. Now, it does have a substantial amount of blood, and the violence is heavy, but if you can handle it, it's a very enjoyable watch.

(ATTN: SPOILERS! The following section of this review contains some spoilers.)
(Please do not read further if you do not wish to know them.)
I'd have to say the single most emotional part of the movie is when Nobutada dies. I really cried on that. You can really just read the emotion on Kotsumoto's face as he realizes he must leave his son behind, and at the same time trying to keep his composure.
The Ninja battle is probably the most fast-paced and intense fight of the movie. Really great scenes. The only minor nitpick here is that the Ninja would get trounced, because their swords aren't designed to take hard blows like that.
Another minor nitpick is that even after Ujio dies, you can just barely see him running around in the distance during part of the final charge. Ujio lives! : )