Review of The Last Samurai (2003) by Flane E — 25 Apr 2011

This was a favourite for me back when I first saw it, so I suppose it will always stay that way. It was enthralling from its anti-globalisation and anti-industrialism to its romanticism of traditional Japanese life. It achieved a balance without dampening the reality of violence or horror of war on both sides of the field. An action film that tapered violence with a quiet but powerful romance story that for once added to rather than detracted from the overall film. An interesting choice of topic for a Hollywood epic starring Tom Cruise, this film features a fundamentally anti-American statement with a lead hero who's an arrogant alcoholic antisocial.

This film boasts another beautiful traditionally inspired soundtrack from Hans Zimmer and is well worth watching for all those who haven't yet.