The Last Samurai (2004, DVD)

This film is set in the 1870's and stars Tom Cruise as Captain Nathan Algren. Algren was a civil war hero and is recently returned from the campaign against the Indians. He's still haunted by what he's seen, and what he's done. Algren, who has become an alcoholic in an attempt to cope, is recruited by the Japanese government to train the Emperor's army. Japan at this time is struggling with its own identity as it attempts to shed its feudal image and become a modern power. Algren must train a group of soldiers to fight the Samurai who for decades protected Japan but are now perceived as standing in the way of progress. Cruise soon leads his soldiers in battle against the Samurai leader, Katsumoto, who is played by Ken Watanabe. After his defeat Algren (Cruise) is taken to Katsumoto's village where he eventually learns the Samurai's codes and ways of life and develops a bond with Katsumoto. Eventually a new Imperial Army is formed and Algren must choose sides for the final epic battle.

Edward Zwick directs this film and presents us with a period epic reminiscent of some of Hollywood finest movies. The film has heart and spirit and the plot draws you in. Even down to the smallest detail the film is true to the time period and creates an atmosphere in which you really believe these people are living in the 1870's. Everything including the costumes, armor, weapons, etc are authentic and an unbelievable amount of research went into creating this movie as can be seen in the dvd extras (more on that later). The cinematography is stunning and the battle scenes are incredible. These battle scenes are quite graphic and bloody, note the 'R' rating, so if that's something you don't enjoy this movie may not be for you.

The actor's performances were excellent. This is probably Tom Cruise's best performance and he shines as the soldier with a troubled past trying to regain his honor. The best performance in the movie, however, belongs to Ken Watanabe. His performance as the Samurai leader fighting for his country, and his emperor, and watching as his way of life dies, was nothing short of moving.

You also can't forget about the dvd extras, and there are some good ones. Included is the History Channel documentary "History vs Hollywood", the director's video journal, interviews with the actors including Tom Cruise, deleted scenes, production and weapon designs and so much more.

Overall The Last Samurai is a beautiful and visually stunning film and is the best movie that's been released in years.

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Samurai and old school kung-fu movies are, at their core, Japanese westerns (or maybe I should say our westerns are American Samurai and kung-fu movies or whatever). The greatest samuari movie I've ever seen is "Seven Samurai," which was the inspiration for "The Magnificent Seven." In that legendary movie, there is a scene that has alway stood out to me as the defining saddness of the samurai. The greatest swordsman of the seven, a silent and brooding man, is slicing through the raiders that are attacking the villiage left and right. They are no match for him or his sword. But just as you think he is going to singlehandedly win this fight, his enemies fire off a pistol that fatally wounds him. As he staggers to his death, he takes a last look as his sword and disgusted, he throws it away from him and dies. No matter how great he is with his old weapons, he cannot beat a bullet.

That's what I thought about while I watched "The Last Samurai."

Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is a defeated man. Though he has never lost in battle and is considered a hero, massacring Indian villages (including women and children) for General Custer has robbed him of his soul. When we first see him, he's so self loathing that he only drinks himself into a stupor while trying to shill Winchester rifles in San Francisco.

It is here he gets an offer to do the only thing he believes he's any good at: go back into service, only this time to train troops in Japan the art of Western warfare (complete with rifles and artillary), so they can become a more modern civilization and also defeat the remaining samurai that have fought like rebels to the change. Of course, Japan's current government is wrought with dity politicians and an Emporer too scared to stand up to them.

So, he goes to train an army of farmers and fishermen how to use Western guns and ammo when the order comes in for Algren to lead his forces into battle with Katsumoto (Oscar nominated Ken Watanabe), the leader of last remaining band of Samurai. Algren, knowing his forces are too inexperienced to handle a group who's whole lives are dedicated to battle, tries to resist but is outranked. It is at this battle that he is taken captive by Katsumoto, who spares Algren's life in order to know his enemy better. This all leads to Algren learning the disciplined ways of the Samurai and learing to stand and fight with the very people he came to fight.

When this movie originally came out, I thought it sounded like "Dances With Samurai." And it does have a bit of that feel to it. Many scenes are played out without much dialogue at all as Algren begins to adopt the philosophies and dogma of the samurai. However, the movie comes into it's own very nicely and even the thought of Cruise as the 5'6 warrior melts out of your mind. Even with the film being over 2 1/2 hours, I never felt like things were dragging at all - although I do admit I had the luxury of watching this at home rather than on the big screen. There are also some elements to "Bravehart" during the climatic battle scenes, but they don't drag the movie down for too many unoriginal moments to spoil things.

Cruise is solid, as he always is. The thing about Cruise is that he is a very good character actor trapped in a Hollywood Star body. The real standout is Watanabe, who's quiet charisma comes out in buckets. That's not to say he chews up the scenery - he just simply has such presence on screen that you are riveted every time he shows up. It's a shame he didn't take home the Oscar.