The Last Samurai tells the story of Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), an American war hero who finds himself in Japan training an army for the Emperor. The Emperor (Shichinosuke Nakamura) is attempting to modernize 1876 Japan in a Western fashion and needs to put down a rebellion by the samurai led by Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe).
Immediately after arriving in Japan, Algren’s army is called to face the samurai, who have attacked the highly expensive railroad the Emperor is attempting to install in the country as part of his modernization. Although Algren insists his army is not ready, his forces are placed against the highly intimidating samurai and lose. Algren is captured by Katsumoto and kept alive as Katsumoto wants to learn about his new enemy. Soon, however, Algren and Katsumoto begin to have philosophical conversations about the nature of war, life and death.
When Algren is first captured, he is haunted by his past as a soldier. He drinks heavily to ease the mental anguish he experiences. As he heals from his wounds in the custody of his samurai captors, he begins to feel at peace and learns the language and some of the customs of the people he once viewed as savages.
While the basic path and outcome of the movie is predictable from the onset, The Last Samurai remains engrossing due to the combination of a wonderfully intelligent script, beautiful cinematography and exhilarating action sequences. Edward Zwick, who also directed the equally exceptional Glory, puts all the pieces together to assemble a thoughtful, as well as thought-provoking, period action/drama.
Tom Cruise spent two years preparing for the role by learning the Japanese language and how to use a sword among other things and he’s in fine form as Algren. However, the true star of the film is Ken Watanabe, who brings tangible nobility to the role of Katsumoto.
Don’t let the fact that the movie didn’t exactly rake in the bucks at the box office or the long running time (2 hours 24 minutes) keep you from missing this exciting, touching and lovingly made film. It’s well worth seeing.
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
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