WHAT IS IT ABOUT: Tom Cruise stars as Captain Nathan Algren, an alcoholic war vet in 1870s Japan, who is hired to train the Japanese army as they attempt to overcome the samurai. Overwhelmed in battle, Algren's bravery impresses the ancient samurai people, who take him in as one of their own and teach him their ways.
IS IT ANY GOOD: I have mixed feelings about this film, and still don't really know what to say about it. On the one hand, it's just 'Dances With Wolves' all over again, but this time in Japan. The plot is so similar, it's a wonder they didn't sue for plagiarism. Because of the similarities, you can't help but guess a lot of what is going to happen, which makes it predictable, despite the alien culture the film aims to embody.
The way of life in the samurai culture is, perhaps, the film's saving grace; they do a very good job of respectfully presenting a way of life that many of us will know nothing about.
Acting wise, Cruise does a good job, but his character lacks any real depth. The film is full of high emotional scenes that are over the top in that way that Hollywood often goes, and Cruise therefore fails to give any subtlety to his performance. A wildly mis-cast Billy Connelly shows up for a bit, and I can't take that guy seriously (I'm sorry).
If you liked it, Dances With Wolves is very similar. I would also recommend reading 'Memoirs of a Geisha', which tells the story of the Geisha with a calmness that many who admire the serene lifestyle of the samurai will enjoy.
All in all, this is an adequate film that goes over the top on emotion, but will be enjoyed by those who haven't seen Dances With Wolves.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Advantages: great cinematography, good action, good special features, well acted by tom cruise. Disadvantages: story line a bit wobbly, surely he should of died!
![The Last Samurai : The Movie&More (2 Disc Special Edition) [2003] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78370201.jpg "The Last Samurai : The Movie&More (2 Disc Special Edition) [2003] [DVD]")
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