Writer/Director: Edward Zwick
Starring: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe and Timothy Spall
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors have made films making headlines news like Tom Cruise. Since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Cruuse has been a beloved icon. Whether it’s spies enduring dangers, lawyers or soaring aviators, Cruise has portrayed many compelling characters. Arguably, Cruise’s best strength as an actor is his powerful commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always put his life on the line by performing his own stunts. Even when he has suffered injuries, Cruise has never lost his passion for making memorable movies. An actor with a strong commitment toward his craft, Cruise has become an icon in entertainment. Although he’s best known for his role in the Mission Impossible series, Cruise has proven he can make engaging films in every single genre. Throughout his powerful career, Cruise has made several unforgettable movies that are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Cruise and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “The Last Samurai” is absolutely his most underrated work. Released in 2003, Edward Zwick’s movie offered a poignant portrait of samurai. Packed with breathtaking action, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about samurai. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Tom Cruise, who embodies a samurai that has health issues. Ultimately, what makes “The Last Samurai” a fantastic film is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about samurai, it tackles strong themes that everyone can easily relate to. A spellbinding masterpiece about samurai, there are many reasons why “The Last Samurai” is a movie worth watching.
Set in Japan, “The Last Samurai” tells the story of a samurai facing obstacles which terrify. Tom Cruise portrays Nathan Algren, an American soldier with strong dedication to serving a nation. Nathan’s dreams come true when he’s given a golden opportunity to participate in the Japanese army. However, Nathan’s life transforms when he discovers the consequences of being a samurai which cause disaster. Torn between his identity of being an American outsider and Japanese samurai warrior, Nathan questions who he is as a person. As he faces situations in which there is a high likelihood to die, Nathan soon wonders whether it’s possible for him to be a samurai.
Edward Zwick is fascinated with the stories of warfare. A fantastic filmmaker, Zwick has often made engaging films about wars that cause disaster. His bold film “Glory” offered a powerful portrait of soldiers seeking glory. With “The Last Samurai”, however, Zwick created his first samurai movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tension faced by samurai that experience adversity but he succeeded tremendously. Using bold cinematography, Zwick captured a samurai embarking on a journey to discover identity. Evoking Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai”, Zwick utilizes point of view shots to capture hardships samurai are facing. For instance, POV shots elevate the samurai battle scene. During this unforgettable scene, Nathan has his first ever samurai battle that causes him to face tension. Using engaging POV shots, Zwick creates a portrait of samurai which is compelling. POV shots are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Tony Scott’s “Top Gun” suggested, POV shots enhance films about aviation. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Zwick captures tensions that samurai in a battle are facing.
Another bold aspect of “The Last Samurai” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is well made. Evoking Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring”, Zwick effectively uses cross-cutting editing to capture hardships samurai are facing. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the samurai confrontation scene. During this memorable scene, Nathan has an intense confrontation with westerners in a samurai battle. Using cross-cutting, Zwick creates a strong portrait of samurai that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Hans Zimmer’s music is key to success of the movie. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which samurais bear. Using extraordinary production, Zwick captures samurai that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Last Samurai” is a samurai film that’s engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the tensions that samurai are facing. Emulating Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran”, Zwick expertly uses silence to demonstrates tensions samurai are facing. For instance, silence enhances the samurai farewell scene. During this sad scene, Nathan bids emotional farewell to samurais as he leaves Japan. Through the use of silence, Zwick creates a portrait of samurai audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia” did suggest, silence enhances movie about trauma. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Zwick captures samurai that face a grim price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Cruise delivers one of his best career performances as Nathan. Cruise earned appreciation for playing soaring aviators in action movies. With “The Last Samurai”, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play grieving samurai that experience tragedy, but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, engaging and unforgettable in his most iconic role. With captivating expressions, he captures the angst, tension and resentment of a samurai, it’s a fantastic performance from one of the finest actors.
Finally, “The Last Samurai” would earn the praise of everyone for capturing samurais facing tension. Unlike most movies about samurai, it tackles strong themes everyone will’s relate to. It tackles strong themes such as ambition, grief and teamwork which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Japanese culture to enjoy it. Therefore, “The Last Samurai” is one of those rare samurai movies which everyone would adore.
Fans of Tom Cruise will definitely appreciate “The Last Samurai” and so would audiences seeking fun entertainment. A breathtaking samurai blockbuster, it honours an iconic actor.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about samurai facing obstacles that terrify, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that built a successful career by his ability to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which have never lost abilities to satisfy.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 