Review: The Last Samurai

[achtungbaby]

Dances with Samurai Swords
by kittygirl (http://forums.yellowworld.org/member.php?u=455)

Let me first say that when I went to the theatre with the intention of watching ‘The Last Samurai’, and then writing this review, I fully expected to hate it. I had already spent some time trying to come up with witty, mocking titles for this article, just to illustrate how bad it should have been (such as ‘The Last Samurai: A Bloody Mess’, or ‘The Last Samurai the Last Straw?’, or ‘Oh GOD!! My Eyes, My EYES!!’).

Imagine my disappointment and bemusement, then, when this movie failed to live up to expectations. Or rather, it exceeded my expectations. Despite my greatest hopes that it would be a stinker, ‘The Last Samurai’ was actually a decent historical drama, with great secondary casting, beautiful cinematography, and possibly the most brilliant directorship that I have ever seen.

full review (http://yellowworld.org/comments.php?id=10668_0_1_0_C)

[BeTheReds]

Dances with Samurai Swords
by kittygirl (http://forums.yellowworld.org/member.php?u=455)

Let me first say that when I went to the theatre with the intention of watching ‘The Last Samurai’, and then writing this review, I fully expected to hate it. I had already spent some time trying to come up with witty, mocking titles for this article, just to illustrate how bad it should have been (such as ‘The Last Samurai: A Bloody Mess’, or ‘The Last Samurai the Last Straw?’, or ‘Oh GOD!! My Eyes, My EYES!!’).

Imagine my disappointment and bemusement, then, when this movie failed to live up to expectations. Or rather, it exceeded my expectations. Despite my greatest hopes that it would be a stinker, ‘The Last Samurai’ was actually a decent historical drama, with great secondary casting, beautiful cinematography, and possibly the most brilliant directorship that I have ever seen.

full review (http://yellowworld.org/comments.php?id=10668_0_1_0_C)


Which is why I wish people would watch it before jumping on the kill whitey bandwagon.

Nice review. I still think you are digging deep for stuff to hate tho. You could compare the love between William Wallace and the princess in Braveheart as similar barbaric rediculousness, and GASP!!! The film even suggests that the royal line ended! But I guess unreasonable/improbable love interests are okay when the woman isn't Asian.

[ric 3]

There are still issues that are very prevalent, doesn't matter if it was fun. i even said ppl would more likely enjoy this movie, but It doesn't mean the fun factor is excuse for themes involved in movie

[mr. x]

well i never said it was gonna be a stinkin pile of whitephiliaphile

my opinion was its another well-intentioned but subtly backwards movie

[mr. x]

Hmm...so now do I see 'The Last Samurai'...'Honey'... or 'Bad Santa' on my days off?

:confused:

well i havent seen em but id say for sure skip Honey

[kboy75]

It was a well-written, thought-out review. Great work.

Although I'd have to argue with some of the conclusions, it's all very logical. It's your review so it is your prerogative to voice your opinions on the impact on AA steretypes and the movie's potential to be racially offensive. But you were fair.

I totally agree with your critique of Ken Watanabe (Katsumoto) and his acting job. He gave an awesome performace. Cruise will get an Oscar nomination, arguably w/o merit... but I guess that's hollywood for ya...

[ric 3]

It was a well-written, thought-out review. Great work.

Although I'd have to argue with some of the conclusions, it's all very logical. It's your review so it is your prerogative to voice your opinions on the impact on AA steretypes and the movie's potential to be racially offensive. But you were fair.

I totally agree with your critique of Ken Watanabe (Katsumoto) and his acting job. He gave an awesome performace. Cruise will get an Oscar nomination, arguably w/o merit... but I guess that's hollywood for ya...


I hope everyone regardless of their stance sees that Cruise will probably get an Oscar than Watanabe

[kitty]

I would be money that Cruise gets a best actor nod for this... but I'm actually not sure if Watanabe will get a best supporting actor nod. On the one hand, he's not American, and you know how Oscars favour the white, but on the other hand, he got a lot of face time in a movie that itself will probably sweep the Oscars.

This might be the year we see Watanbe nominated.

And thanks guys for reading the review :) I tried to be fair, but it was really irksome that a racially messed up movie was also a really good movie-making movie. I didn't want to totally bash it, had to give credit where it was due. Again, this is only my opinion, and i know most people are going to disagree with some aspect of what i had to say.

[537]

The main character's name is Cpt. Nathan Algren, not Aldren...


As for The Emperor Meiji, I am not at all surprised that the producers failed to recognize his name (Mutsuhito) and instead referred to him as Emperor Meiji. Meiji denotes a title, which in literal form means "enlightened rule". His character defined a sense of confusion in Japan's transition from the Medieval age to Modern, but I didn't feel as powerful a presence as I did with Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe).

I'm curious to hear what some other members have to say regarding the historical events depicted in the movie.

I for one felt insulted during the last scene in which remaining samurai were dispatched with the gatlings.

[ric 3]

I would be money that Cruise gets a best actor nod for this... but I'm actually not sure if Watanabe will get a best supporting actor nod. On the one hand, he's not American, and you know how Oscars favour the white, but on the other hand, he got a lot of face time in a movie that itself will probably sweep the Oscars.

This might be the year we see Watanbe nominated.

And thanks guys for reading the review :) I tried to be fair, but it was really irksome that a racially messed up movie was also a really good movie-making movie. I didn't want to totally bash it, had to give credit where it was due. Again, this is only my opinion, and i know most people are going to disagree with some aspect of what i had to say.


It was a very good review. Im sure everyone will share my gripes as with others when this movie makes a probable killing at Oscars. Watanbe BETTER be at least nominated

[ric 3]

The main character's name is Cpt. Nathan Algren, not Aldren...


As for The Emperor Meiji, I am not at all surprised that the producers failed to recognize his name (Mutsuhito) and instead referred to him as Emperor Meiji. Meiji denotes a title, which in literal form means "enlightened rule". His character defined a sense of confusion in Japan's transition from the Medieval age to Modern, but I didn't feel as powerful a presence as I did with Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe).

I'm curious to hear what some other members have to say regarding the historical events depicted in the movie.

I for one felt insulted during the last scene in which remaining samurai were dispatched with the gatlings.


Minor detail about name

Its Hollywood!, all it matters is pleasing a bunch of old white folks at Oscars

[kitty]

The main character's name is Cpt. Nathan Algren, not Aldren...



oooooops... it was late. my bad :(

[TB4000]

Hey kittygirl, you looking for work? We could use you on our entertainment staff at Purdue's newspaper :wink:

[kitty]

Hey kittygirl, you looking for work? We could use you on our entertainment staff at Purdue's newspaper :wink:

:lol: what's purdue?

edit: i just learned that it's a school. i'm sorry... i really didn't know. you got an opening?

[TB4000]

:tongue: Purdue University, girl....my soon to be alma mater.

[ism]

Great review!

I haven't seen it yet. Does Algren's involvement with the Indian War factor in as a theme later on? You mentioned how he somewhat distances himself from America.

[kitty]

:tongue: Purdue University, girl....my soon to be alma mater.

I'm soooooorrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeee....

*bashes head against wall*

ow.

[kitty]

Got this from my email from Phu Doan:

Good review of The Last Samurai--you pointed out a lot of interesting things, like how despite efforts to be sensitive to Asian culture, the film-makers couldn't help but perpetuate orientalism. But they do try, no?

Anyway, side comment: the lingering shots at "Japan" are actually New Zealand. Too many skyscrapers and modern buildings in Japan. And I think because New Zealand's Weta Workshop had a lot of experience mass-producing swords and armor and shit from the Lord of the Rings movies. Better, cheaper, and easier.

[BeTheReds]

The main character's name is Cpt. Nathan Algren, not Aldren...


As for The Emperor Meiji, I am not at all surprised that the producers failed to recognize his name (Mutsuhito) and instead referred to him as Emperor Meiji. Meiji denotes a title, which in literal form means "enlightened rule". His character defined a sense of confusion in Japan's transition from the Medieval age to Modern, but I didn't feel as powerful a presence as I did with Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe).

I'm curious to hear what some other members have to say regarding the historical events depicted in the movie.

I for one felt insulted during the last scene in which remaining samurai were dispatched with the gatlings.

Dude, Japanese people don't even know their current emeperors' name. They just call him the Heisei emperor. I don't think it is innacurate at all what you are talking about.

[indiemusic]

Got this from my email from Phu Doan:

Good review of The Last Samurai--you pointed out a lot of interesting things, like how despite efforts to be sensitive to Asian culture, the film-makers couldn't help but perpetuate orientalism. But they do try, no?



I think your review touched on a lot of good points..I had a lot of reservations before watching the film that it would perpetuate the idea of orientalism and I still think it does slightly. I mean the whole film is centered about Tom Cruises's character and his whole perception of Japan as this mysterious place. I dont think this movie is a step forward for AA because even the womyn are portrayed as subservient, quiet, exotic beauty with their long hair and fair skin.

I could be wrong but yeah it wasn't that bad but I think I was a bit disappointed how in the end it was Algren, a white man that brought the sword to the emperor. The white man mastered the techniques of the samurai in just four months and he was 'the last samurai,' the hero..and then when he or taka kissed I was peeved.

any thoughts on that?

[kitty]

I think your review touched on a lot of good points..I had a lot of reservations before watching the film that it would perpetuate the idea of orientalism and I still think it does slightly. I mean the whole film is centered about Tom Cruises's character and his whole perception of Japan as this mysterious place. I dont think this movie is a step forward for AA because even the womyn are portrayed as subservient, quiet, exotic beauty with their long hair and fair skin.



I agree. I hardly think this movie is a step forward for Asian Americans, but I also want to say that it's not as bad as, say, Steve Oederkirk. Marginally better, but still better. Taka is portrayed in stereotypical fashion, but I'd like to think that the men are not... they have depth of character and complexity in action and motivation.



I could be wrong but yeah it wasn't that bad but I think I was a bit disappointed how in the end it was Algren, a white man that brought the sword to the emperor. The white man mastered the techniques of the samurai in just four months and he was 'the last samurai,' the hero..and then when he or taka kissed I was peeved.

any thoughts on that?

Yeah... the ending had to overcome the problem of the implausibility of *anyone* surviving that attack and the impossibility of killing Tom (the hero) off in a major Hollywood picture.

With the Tom/Taka kiss, I felt it was another push by the director to mainstream the movie. White audiences would've felt there was no *point* to Taka's character if she did not get introduced as a romantic interest... so they had to kiss at some point. For me, it felt forced, unnecessary, and a disappointment since the tension was better when it was not relieved.

However, at the same time, had they not allowed them to kiss, I would've advocated the removing of Taka's character altogether.

[Banana]

It might not be a bad movie but it IS an evil one.

[yoMAMA]

Actually i thought the movie was great, minus all that other hollywood B/S......and the ending was so anti-climatic....... :mad:

[Faithless]

From what I understand, a lot of the Sumarai stuff is legend. But the movie does a good job of highlighting that legend.

To some degree, they did run around in packs. They managed sophisticated enclaves as was depicted in the movie. Although "outlaws", they had a sense of honor over the throne of the Emperor, it was just the westernization, I think, they objected too.

Dances with Wolves. Yeah. I can see that. That's where the movie got contrived.

In reality, what should have happened was that the Sumarai band should have further kicked his ass, bled Cruises character for information, then killed him in the end.

Yet in truly Hollywood fashion, "his purpose", which the Samurai leader eluded to early on, because the spirits allowed him to live, would eventually be to lead like a white knight.

You start to resist the temptation to become fully engrossed with the movie, when you realize that they're actually gonna make it seem like this guy, whose just killed a father, would eventually win the favor of and gain the accepted apology from the dead father's family.

[Shogun Empress]

I hope everyone regardless of their stance sees that Cruise will probably get an Oscar than Watanabe
I doubt he will get an Oscar for it. I only liked the action. The rest of the movie was predictable. I've seen movies like this before where the white guy kicks ass harder than the rest of the 'coloreds'. Dances With Wolves, 8-Mile, The Last Samurai = Typical Tarzan Trash.

With the Tom/Taka kiss, I felt it was another push by the director to mainstream the movie. White audiences would've felt there was no *point* to Taka's character if she did not get introduced as a romantic interest... so they had to kiss at some point. For me, it felt forced, unnecessary, and a disappointment since the tension was better when it was not relieved.When I first saw them kiss, I thought it was pointless because it didn't lead into anything further than that, but after a moments thought, I realized the kiss was justified so that the audience will know that he has a future with her when he returns to her village at the end of the movie.

[Faithless]

I doubt he will get an Oscar for it. I only liked the action. The rest of the movie was predictable. I've seen movies like this before where the white guy kicks ass harder than the rest of the 'coloreds'. Dances With Wolves, 8-Mile, The Last Samurai = Typical Tarzan Trash.
Hasn't the eligibilty for Samurai ended?

Cruise wasn't even nominated for leading, but Ken Watanabe was for supporting.

[kitty]

Hasn't the eligibilty for Samurai ended?

Cruise wasn't even nominated for leading, but Ken Watanabe was for supporting.

yes, watanabe was nominated, as was costume and other stuff with last samurai. tom cruise cannot win a retroactive oscar for this movie anymore, though the academy has already proven that they may give you an academy award for your *next* big movie, partly in retribution for not having given you an academy award for your previous movie.

i think the film would've ended on a better note had they not kissed. it was already pretty obvious that the sexual tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife, and it woulda been more plausible that the shit about him killing her first husband was enough of an inhibition for them that it's up to the viewer's interpretation as to whether or not they ever actually work it out.

[Faithless]

yes, watanabe was nominated, as was costume and other stuff with last samurai. tom cruise cannot win a retroactive oscar for this movie anymore, though the academy has already proven that they may give you an academy award for your *next* big movie, partly in retribution for not having given you an academy award for your previous movie.

i think the film would've ended on a better note had they not kissed. it was already pretty obvious that the sexual tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife, and it woulda been more plausible that the shit about him killing her first husband was enough of an inhibition for them that it's up to the viewer's interpretation as to whether or not they ever actually work it out.
It probably should have gone this way:

Cruise character gets captured, like it was, then --

They tell him to either join or die
They give him the training, but
The ninja's see him training, and call him a traitor
So he says fuck-it and does join the samurai
Everybody still hates him within the samurai
But are willing to give him his props because he's a good fighter
And as they goto battle
He fights valiently, but loses his life like the rest


About the only good thing about the movie is his realization that Custer was shit.

[younggiftedandblack]

I finally got around to watching this today. Overall a good movie, but two things I wish were different.

1) The story was too short for my taste. it seemed liked everything was rushed a bit. I would've liked to have seen more development between Algren and the Samurai.

2) The Gatlin gun scene was weak IMO. Everyone gets killed but him. :rolleyes: And all he does is get hit a few times in the shoulder. I know it's Cruises movie and all, but he could've gotten a bit more realistic.

[deez nuts]

saw it last weekend.

great movie.

and the concept of killing a man and claiming his home, his wife and his kids as your own was cool as hell.

[mr. x]

saw it last weekend.

great movie.

and the concept of killing a man and claiming his home, his wife and his kids as your own was cool as hell.
man those white people can do anything cant they :rolleyes:

[deez nuts]

man those white people can do anything cant they :rolleyes:

to the victor goes the spoils, i say.

[robotic]

i thought the soundtrack was excellent ;_; two thumbs up to hans zimmer. he composes beautifully.

[Mai-Sai-Le]

Well I'm all late, lol. I usually wait till movies come out on DVD to see them since I'm married to an anti-movie goer guy. I seen it like a few months ago. I have studied the history of the samurai and Japan's history of shutting itself off, etc, etc, many, many years ago on my own accord. So I'm aware that the movie isn't entirely historically correct. But regardless of that, my favorite thing about the movie is how they captured the "samurai spirit". They got me all geared up! I was like, GO SAMURAI, GO SAMURAI!!! lol Tom Cruise's behind actually didn't need to be in the movie at all. I rarely paid him mind. My attention was on Watanabe and the other asian actors in the movie. It was different to see a westerner do such a movie, of course not even come close to the traditional samurai movies like "THE SEVEN SAMURAI" and countless other samurai flicks with Toshiro Mifune. I still watch them sometimes since they come on every Saturday on the Sundance channel I believe.