X-sections
Dutch
The Editor
e-mail Reggy!
|
|
Movie: The Last Samurai
Director: Edward Zwick
Actors: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, William Atherton, Billy Connolly, Masato Harada, Koyuki
|
"I think a man cannot know his destiny. He can only do what he can, until his destiny is revealed."
Writer-director Edward Zwick worked for several years on a project called The Last Samurai. The movie was placed on a fast track when superstar Tom Cruise got involved. Tom Cruise has a gift to find the right script that is tailor-made for him, in this movie he walks the spiritual journey to become a Samurai.
The story in a nutshell:
Cruise plays the role of Civil War veteran Captain Nathan Algren who is being hired by Japan to train the
troops of the Emperor in a war against the last of the Samurai. The group of traditional warriors is the
final obstacle that has to be exterminated in order to prepare Japan for the new modern world. Algren discovers
the true spirit of the Samurai when they've captured him. He learns more about their culture, tradition
and the way of the Samurai.
The Last Samurai sometimes reminded me of Black Rain, the thriller starring Michael Douglas who played a
cocky American forced to survive in Japan full of discipline and tradition. I love the part when Captain
Algren is learning the way of the Samurai; live by the sword, code and honor. The training followed by
the very violent but beautifully choreographed sword fights are incredible. The scene when the inexperienced
Emperor's troops are facing the Samurai dressed in body armor and frightening masks to scare the enemy is
breathtaking.
Unfortunately, the story unfolds in a predictable pattern but stays interesting with the great performances
of Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe as Katsumoto, the leader of the Samurai. Director Edward Zwick already
delivered fine pictures as Legends of the Fall, Courage Under Fire and The Siege. He has made a solid
impression with The Last Samurai, a movie without bizarre camera angles and without slick visual tricks.
The latter doesn't benefit the movie, the giant battle sequences loses its strength due to the sober way
of filming.
Hans Zimmer's musical score is beautiful with small references to his previous fantastic score on Black
Rain. The Last Samurai loses its power nearing the end of the picture that keeps it from becoming a masterpiece.
But overall The Last Samurai is a fascinating spectacle that must be seen on the big screen.
Written by Reggy 17/01/04
|
|
