| Overall Grade: |
B- |
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| Story: |
C+ |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
B- |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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A Movie of Two Halves
by CHIRedbeard (movies profile)
Jan 26, 2008
383
of
634 people found this review helpful
The Last Samurai is one of those movies that can't seem to decide what it wants to be. For the first half, it seems focused very much on the mysticism and beauty of Japanese culture and how it saves the tortured soul of a soldier of the Civil War. The second half abandons this principle and becomes that of an American epic, where might meets right on the battlefield, complete with dirt clumps bursting in air and clichéd story.
The story follows Capt. Woodrow Algren (Cruise), an alcoholic haunted by the images of his killing of a Native American village during the war. Banished to endorse a rifle for money, Algren turns to training soldiers in Japan to earn his paycheck. Once there, he finds himself under his old commanding officer, the one who ordered him to slaughter a Native American village. This leads to Algren leading unprepared troops against the Samurai warriors and eventually his capture by Samurai leader Katsumoto.
Once captured, Algren slowly adapts to the Samurai culture, healing his soul with the quiet Zen of the discipline and learning how to make peace with his past life. When the Samurai are threatened by greedy lords who control the young puppet Emperor, Algren and Katsumoto must fight for both their lives and the honor of the Samurai.
Overall, this film is shot beautifully, with every frame full to the brim with beauty, from the small village to the blossoms drifting in the wind, eahc shot is like a landscape painting. Each shot shows roots in Braveheart, Dances With Wolves, and also a good dose of Kurosawa films. This is possibly the film's strongest suit, as it captures the hearts and minds of the audience and supports the idea of a foriegn but beautiful land.
In regards to the acting, all credit belongs to the actors playing the Japanese. There is so much depth in each movement, in each gaze, that it puts many films and actors today to shame. Cruise is passible in that he could have done better or worse and fades into the background for most scenes. He is there almost so that the talent of the other actors can shine.
Then comes the last hour, where the director seems to grow tired of the homage to Japanese film and instead makes an American epic, where characters are trie and static and there is a lot of fighting. Cruise becomes vital to the salvation of the Samurai, as he is needed to support every decision made by Katsumoto and inspire the troops. He becomes the man with the strategy as well as the quips that will restore the courage of the soldiers. Japanese culture becomes represented either by the greedy lords, the soldiers who would mow people down with guns under orders, or the noble warriors trapped in antiquated ideals. The climactic battle results is dramatic slow motion, multiple explosions from cannons that would take minutes to realign, and other footage on loan from Glory. Finally, the last fifteen minutes of the film feel tacked on, as if everything needs some sort of summary and closure.
I feel this movie fails the noble ideas of the first half as I feel that, in the end, it does not prevent most of the audience from seeing the way of life of the Samurai as violent and backwards, especially in regards to the ritual seppaku. In the end, American culture is needed for any hope of success, and Japanese culture works best in meditation and not in real life.
Still, there is some amazing imagery, a handful of top-notch actors, and a battle scene with ninjas that is not to be missed. Despite its serious flaws, I would recommend seeing this film on the big screen to fully appreciate its beauty, then consider walking out after the first hour and a half. |
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