Tom Cruise still can't act

Rating: Null/10 (20 December 2003)

It's true what they say about the cinematography of this film, it's sweeping and brilliant. But it's almost a scene for scene remake of Dances with Wolves (See Entertainment Weekly, Dances with Sushi, Rolling Stone, Dances with Samurai...you get the picture).
It's not a very original script, Tom Cruise still is only a movie star, not an actor. His phrasing repeatedly jumps into the 21st century, it's annoying. For more believability see Jude Law, Cold Mountain - the role Tom dumped at the last minute due to not being paid enough, doing this movie instead. Interestingly enough, both Tom and Jude have been nominated for Golden Globes for best actor.
The only things that stand out in this movie are Ken Watanabe and Shin, who plays his son is a complete revelation. The Japanese actors in this film wipe the floor with the American ones.