Last Samurai, good blind buy?
04-21-04, 10:47 PM
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I thought it was very very good. I'd give it maybe an 8 or 9 out of 10 for a rating. If you enjoy war epics and maybe some samurai, you should get a kick out of this one. And from what I understand, there's a good amount of extras. So.... yes.
04-22-04, 02:46 AM
#4
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I have to say that i find myself agreeing with a lot of the reviews i have read for the film....all in all an excellent and very enjoyable film which is let down slightly at the end by the typical Hollywood cliched ending.
Having said that this shouldn't deter you from including it in your collection...from what i gather the DVD is of a high standard also.
Having said that this shouldn't deter you from including it in your collection...from what i gather the DVD is of a high standard also.
04-22-04, 08:41 AM
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When I went to see this in the theatres, I was not so sure (not a big Tom Cruise fan). I was surprised when I felt that this movie was very well done. Again if you like movies with samurai or war style epics then this movie is a good pick up. I would give it at 8.5 out of 10 if I had to rate it. There is a review up now on the main page too.
This is one of 4 DVDs I am waiting for this year, May 4th can not come soon enough.
This is one of 4 DVDs I am waiting for this year, May 4th can not come soon enough.
04-22-04, 09:35 PM
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Good blind buy, most definitely. I thought it was a fine film, loved the whole thing. Then again, I am a fan of Edward Zwick (especially Glory, Legends of the Fall, and Courage Under Fire).
04-22-04, 10:11 PM
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Awesome movie!! If you enjoyed any of Ed Zwick's films then you will definitely enjoy this one.
04-22-04, 11:06 PM
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Tom Cruise seems a little out of place for this role, but he does carry himself surprisingly well. The story itself is great, and moves at a decent pace. The action in the movie is fantastic, as is the cinematography.
04-23-04, 06:38 PM
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Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise in every movie. Sadly, I don't think it's something he can overcome, even though I like him as an actor. That said, the movie is excellent visiually and carries through with decent plot and writing.
Hiring actual Japanese actors to play the Japanese roles, rather than American-born Japanese or other Asian ethinicity actors trying to fake a Japanese accent lent to this story's credibility. Ken Watanbe was exceptional and was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in a supporting role. One of the biggest test of epics like this is its feel of authenticity. The Last Samurai looks and feels authentic and believable.
A very enjoyable viewing experience.
-NHN
04-28-04, 03:03 PM
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IMO this movie was a beautifully shot pile of crap with good lead performances. It basically has all the ingredients of a good epic with one (crippling) exception: the story. The story was pure dreck, and I left the theater very disappointed. 5/10
04-28-04, 03:12 PM
#13
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I thought the "White guy must save backwards foreigners from themselves, and maybe learn something about himself in the process" genre died out sometime after Dances With Wolves. I guess not.
04-28-04, 04:26 PM
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I think you're being a little unfair, Josh Z. Although Samurai bears an uncanny resemblance to Dances With Wolves, neither film portrays the respective foreign cultures as "backwards", IMO. You're forgetting that their characters embrace these new cultures, and don't attempt to "save them from themselves".
04-29-04, 08:17 AM
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Originally posted by Randy Miller III
I think you're being a little unfair, Josh Z. Although Samurai bears an uncanny resemblance to Dances With Wolves, neither film portrays the respective foreign cultures as "backwards", IMO. You're forgetting that their characters embrace these new cultures, and don't attempt to "save them from themselves".
I think you're being a little unfair, Josh Z. Although Samurai bears an uncanny resemblance to Dances With Wolves, neither film portrays the respective foreign cultures as "backwards", IMO. You're forgetting that their characters embrace these new cultures, and don't attempt to "save them from themselves".
04-29-04, 03:03 PM
#17
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Originally posted by proddy
He may not save them from themselves, but he does befriend them, master their language, master the art of fighting with their swords, win the love of a woman (whose husband he killed) all in the space of a (estimated) five-month period while recuperating from serious injury. All hail the white man!
He may not save them from themselves, but he does befriend them, master their language, master the art of fighting with their swords, win the love of a woman (whose husband he killed) all in the space of a (estimated) five-month period while recuperating from serious injury. All hail the white man!
04-29-04, 03:17 PM
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Originally posted by Randy Miller III
It's very true that viewers must check common sense at the door in that regard (and this is perhaps the weakest aspect of the film), but my argument was that Cruise's character didn't reject this new culture.
It's very true that viewers must check common sense at the door in that regard (and this is perhaps the weakest aspect of the film), but my argument was that Cruise's character didn't reject this new culture.
In fact, I pose the argument that not only did Cruise not reject the Japanese culture and the way of the Samurai, but that those ideologies became his salvation. Lest I remind you that Cruise's character was a drunkard full of self-loathing and contempt that resorted to being paraded around at "shows" like a circus attraction, before he embraced the way of the Samurai.
-NHN
04-30-04, 09:10 AM
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Originally posted by Randy Miller III
It's very true that viewers must check common sense at the door in that regard (and this is perhaps the weakest aspect of the film), but my argument was that Cruise's character didn't reject this new culture.
It's very true that viewers must check common sense at the door in that regard (and this is perhaps the weakest aspect of the film), but my argument was that Cruise's character didn't reject this new culture.
