Too bad some Hollywood executive couldn't fall on his pen.

Rating: 8/10 (22 March 2004)

I liked this movie for the exact same reasons I liked "Dances with Wolves". It shows a culture destroyed by modern man. I could only give this movie a 8. Two reasons. 1) It was not original enough (The basic premise take from DWW. 2) The ending. I won't say why I didn't like it as I can't think of a way how to say it with out giving away the ending (I hate spoilers).
I'm really turning into a Tom Cruise fan. I could not stand the movies he made from Taps to Top Gun. He seems to care about what he puts himself in now. Movies like Vanilla Sky and Born on the 4th of July I have really enjoyed. This movie is by far his best work. It's the only time I looked up at the screen and was seeing his character and not Tom Cruise. Ken Watanabe and Timothy Spall (Rock Star) do an excellent jobs also.
The visuals in this movie are awesome. It has never crossed my mind to see Japan until this movie. The life of the Samurai is told and experienced.

When I come out of a movie feeling very different I usually give it a 9 or 10 (even if I'm feeling really crappy). I consider good art to evoke feelings. This movie got me in the "Japanese" mindset. I like being transported to that place in my mind.
The only flaws seemed to come before filming and after. The story is a different spin on DWW and the editing seems to be influenced by some Hollywood executive looking for the $. 8/10 Worth the price of admission.