Magnificent

Rating: Null/10 (8 December 2003)

This was the first film I ever saw that was rated R for violence alone. There was absolutely no sex and the most nudity we saw was Tom's chest with some scars added, his legs, and the female lead's shoulder. I was a bit disappointed with this lack of titillation, but also surprised that I enjoyed watching the movie without it. Normally, I hate violent movies. For instance, I detested the violent scenes in Mission Impossible II, also a Cruise movie, where violence was really glorified and seemed to be presented for entertainment value alone. I think the difference here was that violence was not glorified. Cruise's character is haunted by the violence he has committed. He fights because he knows no other life, because he can see no way out. This view of violence is one that I can tolerate to watch, despite the almost non-stop fountains of blood erupting from the unfortunate departed. I suppose those fountains are what made the thing R. It's really curious how those rating people think.
You could tell it was a really good movie, because there were a number of us riveted to our seats during the credits, watching the names of very minor participants roll by against a black screen in the vain hope that maybe some picture would reappear.
The photography, costumes, scenery, and music were all just magnificent.

The people who say that this is some kind of knock off of "Dancing With Wolves" are just harping on a superficial similarity. Anything can remind you of anything else if you think hard enough.
There were a couple of weak points. For instance, there seemed to be only one female character, other than extras, that is. That one was the woman who takes care of the hero after he is wounded. She is very beautiful and acted very well, but, gee, Tom, don't you know that a lot of your fans are women? I mean you could have managed to put a few more of us in the movie.
The other weak point was at the beginning. Tom, at that point, is supposed to be playing a moldering, defeated alcoholic. Somehow Tom doesn't ever manage to look defeated. He just has too much strength and vibrancy. It always comes through. Maybe it's supposed to, but somehow I think not. He does manage to look really sick when he is wounded and recovering in the Samurai village, though. Maybe, it's because we get to see his bare legs then. There's something about Tom's legs and feet. They're just so small next to his enormously muscular torso. They really make him look vulnerable.
Still, most of the movie showcases what Tom is best at: movement, energy, piercing looks of deep concern, anger, and tears when appropriate. This is what keeps me coming back to his movies, just being glued to those amazing images of him. I hope he keeps going strong for a long time.