Today I am talking about one of my absolute Fav movies "The Last Samurai" it was released in 2003 and well received at the time, 2003 was a year that had some mega blockbusters released like LOTR Return of the king and Pirates of the Caribbean "the curse of the black pearl" So the last Samurai may have been overlooked by some, I was guilty of that at the time and wish I saw this at the cinema!
The story follows CPT Nathan Algren (tom cruise) , who accepts a job to teach the new Japanese army to soldier, but is captured by the Samurai who keep him prisoner, eventually he learns there ways and joins their cause. Its the battle of the old ways vs the new ways and the reluctance to let go of tradition.
This film has been compared to "dances with wolves" a film I am yet to watch, and Tom Cruise is not to everyones taste - But this film is a masterpiece in my eyes.
Tom cruise plays his part very well, and there is amazing performances from Ken Watanabe as lord Katsumoto and Hiroyuki Sanada as Ujio.
Costume and sets are incredible, incredible fight scenes and battles, hauntingly beautiful music. Do not miss this film.
movie 9.5/10
