The Last Samurai

Definitely me !

Gotta love that scene when Cruise was almost beheaded by a samurai. A really nice technique !
 
I've already seen this film, which is probably the sole advantage of living in Los Angeles.

Warning: some plots spoilers ahead, so if you want to be totally surprised by what you see in this film, read no further. I promise not to ruin the movie for you, however.

Let me tell you, there is an action scene where Cruise and the head of a Japanese clan are attacked by ninjas that is one of the best action sequences I've ever seen. It was so intense I almost felt like I was there fighting along with them! The action is cut to perfection. I don't think there is a single frame of film there that is not needed, yet there is enough there so that you never feel geographically disoriented or the action feels choppy.

I'm not a big Tom Cruise fan, but to his and the director's credit, this film does not come off as a Tom Cruise ego trip. A perfect example is in the film the samurai clan rides into Tokyo to meet the emperor. Tom Cruise is seen way back on the side, and the Japanese Samurai master is front and center as he should be.

Also, although Cruise does become an unbelievably good swordsman in an unbelievably short time, the film has the common sense to not have him besting the Japanese Bushido masters.

Believe it or not, Cruise doesn't even get the Japanese girl in this film.

The Japanese actors are awesome. The Japanese lead actor are huge stars in Japan.

I greatly enjoyed this film and highly recommend it.

Bruise
 
Have marked down Last Samurai on my must-see list! I have seen the trailer. It looks great.
 
I was gonna' skip this until it came out on video because I'm not a Tom Cruise fan. He seems like a perpetual juvenile to me. But on Bruise Lee's description of the fight scene alone, I think I should see it on the big screen.
 
I read some of the film's script and was impressed with the amount of "smart" dialogue.

It seems to be really well written and it is on my "must see" list for this holiday season!

Other "must see" movies this season:
LOTR: ROTK
The Missing (Ron Howard directing!!)
Brother Bear (still haven't seen it!)
 
Originally posted by panella
I was gonna' skip this until it came out on video because I'm not a Tom Cruise fan. He seems like a perpetual juvenile to me. But on Bruise Lee's description of the fight scene alone, I think I should see it on the big screen.
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Yes, see it on the big screen. If you don't like Tom Cruise (I think the last film he was in I liked was Top Gun, and that was only because of the air combat!), you will be glad to know he gets the crap beat out of him by a samurai. He is literally groveling in the mud!

In fact, he starts the movie out as a pathetic drunk. I think it's safe to say for at least part of the film, he is more humble than heroic.

Besides, he is totally upstaged by the Japanese actors.

I'd really like to get some cool samurai armor for Halloween next year. I'm going to see it again, like I said the samurai vesus ninja fight sequence totally kicks ass! Too bad I can't bring a katana into the theater!

Bruise
 
Should I rent Shogun again too????
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Go for it. The full mini-series just came out on DVD this year and the story holds up pretty well. Clavell did an excellent job capturing the story of Will Adam's - the John Blackthorn character; and, Jerry London did an equally good job filming it. Mifune, as always, is absolutely excellent, and I still like the ninja attack sequence.

n2s
 
just saw it. GREAT friggin movie.. lots of heart, lots of brutality, lots of beauty. i'd highly recommend it, even to the most jaded tom cruise haters out there.
 
I'm not sure whether the trailers are the same in LA and here in Oz. Its coming out soon and the selling point was that it was shot in New Zealand, same as LOTR : the trilogy. But man, YES, the trailers also really captured me. I've ignored the presence of stars or non-stars in the cast these days. I'm quite happy with some of the movies out for me to choose from - LOTR, Master and Commander, Last Samurai. I also liked Kill Bill (super OverTheTop !!)

Particularly after watching SWAT... I need something good to offset the disappointment. And I'm easily pleased too !! :D Jason.
 
I thought it was a very good movie and the 2.5 hours went fast, but not a must see now.

DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE


Costums, setting and senery are great (Japanese actors too), butI found it predictable.

A little like Shogun meets Brave Heart. :)

Tom loses his boyish image in this move.

The fight in the village (with the Ninji) and the large battle seen (like Brave Heart) at the end were well done.

His Katana fight seen (with 5 soldiers) is somewhat a blur; so I don't think he learned how to use it much.

The trailer makes it sound like Tom feels the Samuri code :rolleyes:, but I didn't see it.

I found it strange that Tom was the ONLY survivor out of 500 samuri. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Also thought it odd at the end when he offered to commit Hari Kari for the Emperior. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
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