Review of The Last Samurai (2003) by Mark L — 06 Jul 2017

Pure romanticism of the Samurai. However, I would tell folks to watch it with Zwick's audio commentary, because in a sense, I think he is preaching the decolonization of Tom Cruise's character. GASP! But really, that's what it sounds like he's saying, although he's not saying it. Of course this comes with a lot of romanticism, that is very enjoyable because when you add some Hans Zimmer score to it, we all fall for this film.

Ken Watanabe is really the main reason this movie works, and Zwick definitely acknowledges this fact in his commentary. Of course we can argue about all historical inaccuracies, but that's not what this board is for, as well as how the romanticism shields deeper discussion of imperialism, etc. It was entertaining, and if anything it subtly tells you that imperialism sucks, and insurgents are awesome. Awesome only in film, not in real life, Katsumoto and his crew would be terrorists, and Tom Cruise would be a busted for treason.