| Reviewed on 2003-12-10 |
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| Rated | R |
| Received |   [3.5] out of 4 stars |
| Genre | Adventure / Drama / War |
| Website | http://lastsamurai.warnerbros.com/ |
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| Tom Cruise scores a hit in a great film with action and good story with characters you care about. Cruise plays Captain Nathan Algren who is a man adrift in the 1870's. Having served in the civil war and countless battles with the Indians, Captain Algren seems unfulfilled and is drifting from place to place and having a drinking problem trying to forget nightmares from the past. An offer takes him to Japan where he lands in the middle of a war. Here lives Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), the last leader of an ancient line of warriors, the venerated Samurai, who dedicated their lives to serving emperor and country. Just like the modern way encroached upon the American west forcing the Native Americans to give up their land, it now engulfs traditional Japan. The telegraph lines and railroads that brought progress now threaten those values and codes by which the Samurai have lived and died for centuries. Captain Algen is recruited to train Japan's first modern, conscript army. The young Emperor of Japan is wooed by American interest when his advisors persuade him to eradicate the Samurai in preparation for a more Westernized and trade-friendly government. With only his honor to guide him, our captain finds himself torn between the two causes, but eventually leans toward the Samaria. You are in for a real treat with this movie that combines action, story and human interest to sustain your attention. Don't miss it folks! |
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