Pleasantly Surprised

Rating: 8/10 (21 December 2014)

When this movie was first released in theaters, I thought it looked interesting. Tom Cruise generally stars in pretty entertaining & quality movies, from what I have seen. I didn't see the movie until 11 years later, and I was pleasantly surprised. It is a meaningful, entertaining film. I enjoyed seeing the transition from drunken, arrogant, emotionally damaged leader, to a man at peace who found a place to call home. I don't know the true story of samurais and such, but I sympathize with the so-called "barbarians" and "savages" who were slaughtered by the big powerful governments and people because they were intimidated by them. I recommend this movie to anyone with an open mind and who likes Tom Cruise movies. I was disappointed that the main samurai whose name escapes me died though.