Product ReviewsThe Last Samurai (DVD, 2004, 2-Disc Set, Widescreen Edition)

Well Worth The Time, Notable Lesson Learned As Well!

The Last Samurai embodies the true essences of two cultures who come together for power, control, and yes, War. Tom Cruise played his role quite well. He gave the role his own little twist of credibility. Even though he had struggled with alcohol during the first parts of the film, it seemed to bring out a deeper, darker side of him, yet making him appear mortal and weaker than his captors. This film portrays white men in a negative light. Their brutality and greed for money are most definitely present in the film.

Algren (Tom Cruise)is firstly fighting to get paid until the Samurai win him over with their more honorable ideals. Samurai heroes act out of honor and dutiful service whereas western heroes are cold and detached and could care less about saving anyone until someone offers them a bounty.

This film recognized both western and Japanese genres' similarities and differences and incorporated them together. While it's probably a little convenient and hard to stomach that the lone white man would be the last man standing, if you look at how the cultures differ it's a little easier to accept. If a Samurai loses in battle, he has to take his own life. So, they're all essentially fighting to the death. Algren doesn't share the disgraced suicide belief, so when he knows he's beaten, he's more likely to surrender. because he has allies on the opposing side.Read full review...

The Last Samurai

You honor me by reading this.

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.Read full review...

The Last Samurai

Detailed item info
Movie Description
Edward Zwick directs this sumptuously designed, action-packed period epic that stars Tom Cruise as Captain Nathan Algren. Algren, a former Civil War hero, is adrift in 1870s San Francisco after the war, a lost soul struggling to stay afloat in a booze-soaked stupor. When he is recruited by the Japanese government to train the Emperor's army, he departs for the unknown shores of Japan and begins training the soldiers in American military tactics. But these skills are useless against a band of samurai rebels led by the proud warrior Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), and Algren is easily defeated. He is taken to a remote samurai village where he learns samurai warrior codes and ways of life, developing a deep bond with Katsumoto and sharing philosophical conversations with him. Caught between the feudal culture of the ancient samurai warriors and the encroachment of modern society, Algren is forced to choose between his own culture or Katsumoto's. THE LAST SAMURAI is lavish in its dramatic period costumes and intense performances, and will thrill fans of both historical drama and action films.Read full review...

The Last Samurai invokes courage, fortitude, and tenacity in the face of danger

Characterization was done well on all main characters. Goals, motivation, and conflict abounded, and there wasn't any such thing as a sagging middle. The action and story remained strong throughout the whole movie. We saw growth on the part of both the protagonist and the antagonist to the point they ended both fighting for what was right on the same side. I've seen the movie before, but my hubby hadn't. When we got this in the mail, hubby decided to watch it that night, and even he was riveted clear through to the end. This movie tackles the heart of a man and doing what is right, even unto death if need be.

I simply was awed by the story and will watch it often.Read full review...

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my opinion

I have seen it before. Have not watched this disc, but expect it to be fine. good Pricing wonderful value

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Good!

This movie is really good; it's pretty long, however. Once, it really gets into the movie there is alot of action. It also contains alot of history. Tom Cruise plays Civil War hero Capt. Nathan Algren, who comes to Japan to fight the Samurai and ends up pledging himself to their cause. Ken Watanabe plays Katsumoto, a Samurai leader facing a vanishing way of life, whose destiny becomes intertwined with that of the American captain. Edward Zwick directs this sweeping and emotional epic tale of the birth of modern Japan. I would definetly recommend watching this movie.Read full review...

An intelligent and enjoyable artistic accomplishment

The Last Samurai is an entertaining and emotionally stirring movie, beautifully filmed, with a theme inspired by the oriental philosophy of yin and yang, mirroring right and wrong or good and evil, opposing yet complementary forces. Although the story is (inevitably) adapted for a primarily North American audience, despite any historic inaccuracies, the movie is intelligent, sensitive, and enjoyable.Read full review...

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Breathtaking!

This is a truly amazing movie. It has everything an epic story should have. It's even better than I remember and the bonus features add a whole new dimension to the viewing experience.

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a glorious spectacle

great movie great battle scenes a touching romance a clash of cultures that resolves itself well a fascinating look at Japan at the crossroads between the feudal past and the modern age

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Good deal

A Tom Cruise is always entertaining. Good plot. God characters. Good movie. Have slow internet? DVDs are the only way to go.

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