In 1876, United States Army Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise)
is contracted by the Japanese government to train their troops in modern warfare
tactics, including the use of rifles. Algren is a war-weary veteran of the
Plains Wars, having rode with General Custer at Little Bighorn and he is
reluctant at first to take the job. But since the Japanese are paying so well,
Algren goes to Japan, taking along his trusted friend and comrade, Sgt. Gant
(played by the dependable Billy Connolly). Once he arrives in Japan, Algren
realizes that he is to train the Japanese Imperial army to fight Katsumoto (Ken
Wannabee), a rebel leader who is leading the last of the Samurai against the
will of the Japanese Emperor. Japan is in a stage of transition, discarding
their old ways while transforming itself into an industrialized nation. The
Samurai are seen as a part of the old way of life that must be left behind.
Algren realizes that he is training the Japanese troops under his command to
fight a group of underdogs who are considered by the majority to be savages,
which is similar to the situation he found himself in back in the States with
the American Indians. After a mere several months training, and despite his
argument that they are not ready, Algren's troops are pressed into battle
against the Samurai. The Samurai slaughters the Japanese Imperial Army, having
prematurely shot off their rounds in a blind panic, and Algren is taken prisoner.
Algren discovers that Katsumoto is a former teacher of the Emperor, who is but a
boy that is being manipulated by advisors on the council. In their rush to
modernize Japan, they have outlawed the Samurai and their traditions. Algren
slowly comes around to the Samurai way of life, and eventually fights on their
side in the climatic battle against the Emperor's modern troops, who, in
addition to their rifles, are now armed with cannons and Gatling guns as well.
Directed by Edward Zwick, whose "Glory" was a magnificent film about the
American Civil War, "The Last Samurai" is somewhat predictable--Algren's change
of heart can be seen from a mile away--yet it is still an enjoyable film that
contains some great performances, namely Ken Watanabe, who shines as Katsumoto,
the warrior with the heart of a poet. As mentioned before, Billy Connolly is
also superb in his all-too-brief role as the surly Sergeant Gant. Masato Harada
is also memorable as the oily Imperial advisor Omura. And Tom Cruise is as
sturdy as ever in his role as Algren. The special features include interviews
with Cruise and director Zwick, various "making of" features on specific aspects
of the production, such as the costumes, armor, and overall production design.
And there is also a commentary by Zwick. Although far from being a definitive
film on the Samurai (for that see "Ran", or any other film directed by
Kurosawa--or even the TV mini-series "Shogun"), as an intelligent action film,
"The Last Samurai" is still entertaining. --SF
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