The Last Samurai
Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is a man adrift. The battles he once
fought now seem distant and futile. Once he risked his life for honor and
country, but, in the years since the Civil War, the world has changed.
Pragmatism has replaced courage, self-interest has taken the place of sacrifice
and honor is nowhere to be found – especially out West where his role in the
Indian Campaigns ended in disillusionment and sorrow.
Somewhere on the unforgiving plains near the banks of the Washita River,
Algren lost his soul.
A universe away, another soldier sees his way of life about to disintegrate.
He is Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), the last leader of an ancient line of warriors,
the venerated Samurai, who dedicated their lives to serving emperor and country.
Just as the modern way encroached upon the American West, cornering and
condemning the Native American, it also engulfed traditional Japan. The
telegraph lines and railroads that brought progress now threaten those values
and codes by which the Samurai have lived and died for centuries.
But Katsumoto will not go without a fight.
Critic Reviews:
- " The breathtaking showpiece skirmishes might well suggest a Braveheart
set in Japan, but there is something more going on here than merely rolling out
the battles. " – Leigh Paatsch
- " Outstanding action and performance; lots of blood. " –
Nell Minow
- " One of the best films of 2003. " – Felix
Vasquez Jr.