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The Last Samurai - 12/5/03 - R - 144m
Tom
Cruise - Captain Nathan Algren
Ken Watanabe - Katsumoto
Billy Connolly - Zebulon Gant
Director: Edward Zwick
Written by: Edward Zwick
John Logan & Marshall Herskovitz
Studio: Warner Bros.
Official
Website
LYN
Nutshell: Sherman set the Way-back Machine™ to 1876, (but
this is kind of pointless because if you have even seen a single trailer
for the movie you can pretty much figure out what's going on) focus on
War Hero Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is hired by the Japanese regime
to train their soon to be modernize army. It seems that the government
is having a little trouble with a pesky little group that some like to
refer to as the Samurai. A perfect op for the Captain since he just recently
got laid off by his present employer as spokesperson for Winchester™
rifles, probably because he had a slight drinking problem, which was no
doubt brought on by the fact that he was haunted by images of battles
he fought in the wars that made him the hero he had become. Following
along? No matter, cause if you didn't notice on the movie posters he's
wearing Samurai armor and brandishing a Samurai sword, so we can naturally
conclude he probably becomes a…come on…say it…you know
the word…A Samurai! That's right, very good. 
But the problem is how does he get from point "A" to point "C"?
Well, this is where the nutshell stops, cause you'll have to see the movie
to find out.
First let me say that I've pretty much always been a student of Asian
philosophy, and so I will be somewhat bias in my review. Anyway, I was
caught up in the movie from the very beginning, especially the first time
that the Japanese Army is sent to meet the Samurai on the field of battle
(not a spoiler here). Picture if you will a forest drenched in fog, the
battle line set, the new recruits are poised with muskets ready, then
the sound of rolling thunder as the Samurai begin their charge towards
the line. You can't see them, you can only hear the building storm of
horse hooves crashing into the ground as they draw nearer towards your
position. But this is the funny part, you have a rifle and they only have
bows, arrows, and swords, and yet I could feel myself in that front line
position waiting for that first glimpse of the legendary warriors, my
soul filling terror, and just knowing that if that were me holding that
musket…well let's just hope that today had better be a good day
for me to die.
And this is what the movie does, it draws you in and doesn't let you go.
Then you see why it's understandable why Tom Cruise would be sporting
Samurai armor in the trailer.
But the interesting thing
about the film, it also gives the opportunity to learn and perhaps teach
you a few things about life. Like codes, codes to live your life by…perhaps.
The Samurai code simply put is Honor, Loyalty, and Courage. There are
underlying factors and depths implied in those three words that I'm not
going to get into here, but all fascinating just the same.
Side Note: It is kind of humorous that there was another movie that Tom
did "A Few Good Men", and they had a code too…"God,
Core, and Country", but that was a Marine Core code. Yeah I know,
uninteresting, but I found it funny in my twisted little mind.
Meanwhile…
The storyline was epic, and the acting, superb, especially that of Ken
Watanabe who played the Samurai 'Katsumoto', his performance was stunning
for the lack of a better word. The action was breathtaking, and bravo
to all those involved, and especially Tom Cruise whom did most if not
all of his own stunts and almost received a sword to neck (due to a malfunctioning
mechanical horse) for his efforts. And Thank goodness that everyone came
out okay. And lastly the cinematography was just beautiful, plain and
simply put…wow.
So, all in all, the best movie I have seen all year. I truly hope you
like this film as much as I did. Of course, it won't win the 'Oscar' for
best picture, 'Master and Commander' will. 
But, that's not my department…I'm just a movie critic.
Lyn
The Last Samurai
Buy
this Double-sided poster at AllPosters.com