Oh, What a Lovely Warrior! (...or Praise the Ammunition, and Pass the Saki)

Rating: 7/10 (30 November 2008)

U.S. Indian Wars veteran Tom Cruise (as Nathan Algren) celebrates America's 1876 centennial by getting drunk. Although Mr. Cruise appears hale and hearty, he's alcohol-soaked and weary. Cruise loses a job hawking Winchester rifles, and is approached by representatives from Japan. Japanese Emperor Shichinosuke Nakamura (as Meiji) wants Captain Cruise, who is famous for offing American Indians, to train his army. Cruise accepts the financially lucrative assignment. In Japan, Cruise teaches the natives how to fight; but, the Japanese are slow learners.
Still, the men are ordered into battle.
Cruise proves his Japanese soldiers are not ready for prime time by ordering one to use himself (Cruise) as target practice. Indeed, the soldier can't shoot straight, and misses killing Cruise. The men are ordered to fight anyway; and, they are wiped out by samurai leader Ken Watanabe (as Katsumoto). Cruise is the last man standing; and, although the situation is hopeless, he continues fighting. Mr. Watanabe admires Cruise's epic efforts, and spares him. Then, Watanabe's drop-dead gorgeous sister Koyuki (as Taka) nurses Cruise back to health.
So do you think Cruise will bond with his honorable Japanese captors?
Although the storyline is very predictable, and sometimes silly; "The Last Samurai" is a very well-produced film. There are scads of exciting, well-crafted battle scenes; be prepared to see many humans sliced, diced, and otherwise punctured. Director Edward Zwick, photographer John Toll, and their crew always make it look extremely beautiful. Watanabe's characterization lifts the film's performance caliber considerably. Hans Zimmer's musical score is typically outstanding. Of course, there is a climatic orgy, with Cruise and Watanabe in full climax.
******* The Last Samurai (2003) Edward Zwick ~ Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Koyuki