On L List of Movie Reviews
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
The Last Samurai (2003)
Rate:
5
Viewed:
5/04, 4/06
4/06:
The first time I saw The Last Samurai, I was awed.
Having watched it again recently, I'm left bored. It's strange how films can fail to stand the test of time so quickly. Clocking
at 154 minutes, The Last Samurai is too long. At least an half hour should've been cut out. When I thought
things would get better, it never did.
The cinematography of Japan is beautiful. It was handled by John Toll who won the Best Cinematography Oscar for
Legends of the Fall and Braveheart. Unfortunately, there's not much of a plot. Tom Cruise gives a lifeless
performance. Somehow, it has become a contest in terms of when he was going to shave off his beard. And Tom Cruise never did,
to my surprise.
All in all, The Last Samurai is a mediocre Japanese version of Braveheart.