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List Price: $12.98 | | Label: Warner Home Video
Salesrank: 1142
Released: May 4, 2004 |
| Our Price: $3.99 |
| Used Price: $0.75 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Epic Action Drama. Set in Japan during the 1870s The Last Samurai tells the story of Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) a respected American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai warriors in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly government policies Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced by his encounters with the Samurai which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds with only his own sense of honor to guide him.Running Time: 154 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 085392838325
Description of The Last Samurai (Two-Disc Special Edition):
While Japan undergoes tumultuous transition to a more Westernized society in 1876-77, The Last Samurai gives epic sweep to an intimate story of cultures at a crossroads. In America, tormented Civil War veteran Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is coerced by a mercenary officer (Tony Goldwyn) to train the Japanese Emperor's troops in the use of modern weaponry. Opposing this "progress" is a rebellion of samurai warriors, holding fast to their traditions of honor despite strategic disadvantage. As a captive of the samurai leader (Ken Watanabe), Algren learns, appreciates, and adopts the samurai code, switching sides for a climactic battle that will put everyone's honor to the ultimate test. All of which makes director Edward Zwick's noble epic eminently worthwhile, even if its Hollywood trappings (including an all-too-conventional ending) prevent it from being the masterpiece that Zwick and screenwriter John Logan clearly wanted it to be. Instead, The Last Samurai is an elegant mainstream adventure, impressive in all aspects of its production. It may not engage the emotions as effectively as Logan's script for Gladiator, but like Cruise's character, it finds its own quality of honor. --Jeff Shannon
The Last Samurai (Two-Disc Special Edition) Reviews:
I didn't see Dances with Wolves... 
2008-09-09 - So I won't make comparisons with that movie. I thought this is a well-done film. Sympathetic, and respectful of our culture. Thank you Hollywood and Zwick and Logan from a 'nihonjin.' I thought Cruise did a great job. I didn't see any of the reckless grinning that he known for, and he did a great portrayal of a disillusioned but fierce and loyal soldier. And this was exactly how many of the samurai felt in that era. This was a great fantasy film about a time of great change in Japan. You have to remember this is a fairy tale, but the Meiji Restoration was a turning point in Japan's history that I am happy that Americans can be better aquainted with. And the love scenes were well crafted, no obligatory sex scene (thats absolutely impossible for a gaijin and nihonjin in that time period!!!) It was a stretch to see Cruise handle a katana so well, and I was prepared to laugh going into the movie, but the story really turned me around, it was so well done that it felt natural.
Tom Cruise at his best! 
2008-08-29 - Okay, so I might like Tom Cruise more than your average person, but no one can say this movie was poorly done or that the acting was bad.
EXCELLENT movie!!
Awesomeeeeeeeeeee!!
2008-08-08 - Just a really well done movie. This has it all: an epic scale, a love story, outstanding soundtrack, and fight scenes. Plain greatness.
The Last Samari
2008-07-30 - I love historical dramas, and this was a really wondrous story. Anyone who loves history will love this film. Tom Cruise was at his height in acting. All the Japanese actors were great. I'm ordering Shogun for the Japanese history.
An unexpectedly great mixed-culture film
2008-05-21 - Though I'm not a huge fan of Cruise's, his acting's been getting better with age. The Last Samurai is a solid film that shows us cultural clashes between American ideals and Japanese philosophies in a truly enjoyable way. Definitely worth watching!
