HKCuk.co.uk - The Last Samurai

Producer: Tom Cruise, Tom Engelman, Marshall Herskovitz, Scott Kroopf, Paula Wagner & Edward Zwick

The year is 1876, Civil War veteran Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise, pictured above) takes upon a job with his war buddy Zebulon Gant (Billy Connelly). The two travel to Japan and are giving the task to train the Japanese Emperor's troops the use modern weapons as they prepare to defeat the last of the country's samurais. The Samurai's are led by Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe, pictured bellow). Nathan is soon forced to begin the battle sooner than he thought, he plee's to his generals that his men aren't ready, but its too late.

The Japanese are defeated with ease by the Samurai and even Nathan has a close call with one of the samurais. Nathan becomes a hostage of the Samurais and remains in there village, unaware of their language and their culture, But Katsumoto has great trust in Nathan and lets him live with his sister and her family.

Katsumotos sister, Taka (Koyuki) is appalled that she has to help Nathan, as he killed her husband during the first battle sequence. Although Taka's children soon take a liking to their new visitor and begin to make faces and teach Japanese to Nathan. Nathan soon realizes that it all isn't all fun and games in the village. One of Katsumotos samurais, Ujio (Hiroyuki Sanada) purposely beats down Nathan with a Bamboo Katana.

After a tough season for the Samurai, Nathan is soon at peace with them, he gets along with the village people fine. Yet, The Emperor is still attempting to wipe out the last off the Samurai with a deadly attack from a group of Ninjas! Katsumoto and Nathan realize that they need to finish this feud once and for all...

Well I managed to go and see The Last Samurai on its opening weekend, it was stunned by its excellent battle scenes, stunning scenery (filmed in six different locations, including - Japan, New Zealand and Los Angeles). I was looking forward to seeing Hiroyuki Sanada on the big screen for the first time. I though Tom Cruise mad an alright samurai, he played the role convincingly well, although with the amount of films he has starred in of course he would have picked up a idea or two about acting. So my final thought of this movie...I really liked, I loved all the action scenes, the story had the odd plot hole or let down put in to, not many twists, but it is a excellent introduction into the way of the Samurai!

Billy Connelly
Tom Cruise having the Japanese shot at him
The first battle scene
Tom Cruise nearly getting killed at the end of the first battle
Hiroyuki Sanada beating up Cruise in a kanata sword fight, brutally!
Shin Koyamada having his knot cut off, very dramatic
Shin Koyamadas exit
The Ninja attack
The final battle scenes
The secret weapon used at the end of the final battle (a tear jerker for the women)

Billy Connellys Screen time
Hiroyuki Sanadas screen time
The Emperor's queer voice
The Smugness of Omura (it isnt a letdown, more like the hate of...)

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	The Last Samurai Director: Edward Zwick Producer: Tom Cruise, Tom Engelman, Marshall Herskovitz, Scott Kroopf, Paula Wagner & Edward Zwick The year is 1876, Civil War veteran Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise, pictured above) takes upon a job with his war buddy Zebulon Gant (Billy Connelly). The two travel to Japan and are giving the task to train the Japanese Emperor's troops the use modern weapons as they prepare to defeat the last of the country's samurais. The Samurai's are led by Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe, pictured bellow). Nathan is soon forced to begin the battle sooner than he thought, he plee's to his generals that his men aren't ready, but its too late. The Japanese are defeated with ease by the Samurai and even Nathan has a close call with one of the samurais. Nathan becomes a hostage of the Samurais and remains in there village, unaware of their language and their culture, But Katsumoto has great trust in Nathan and lets him live with his sister and her family. Katsumotos sister, Taka (Koyuki) is appalled that she has to help Nathan, as he killed her husband during the first battle sequence. Although Taka's children soon take a liking to their new visitor and begin to make faces and teach Japanese to Nathan. Nathan soon realizes that it all isn't all fun and games in the village. One of Katsumotos samurais, Ujio (Hiroyuki Sanada) purposely beats down Nathan with a Bamboo Katana. After a tough season for the Samurai, Nathan is soon at peace with them, he gets along with the village people fine. Yet, The Emperor is still attempting to wipe out the last off the Samurai with a deadly attack from a group of Ninjas! Katsumoto and Nathan realize that they need to finish this feud once and for all... Well I managed to go and see The Last Samurai on its opening weekend, it was stunned by its excellent battle scenes, stunning scenery (filmed in six different locations, including - Japan, New Zealand and Los Angeles). I was looking forward to seeing Hiroyuki Sanada on the big screen for the first time. I though Tom Cruise mad an alright samurai, he played the role convincingly well, although with the amount of films he has starred in of course he would have picked up a idea or two about acting. So my final thought of this movie...I really liked, I loved all the action scenes, the story had the odd plot hole or let down put in to, not many twists, but it is a excellent introduction into the way of the Samurai! Highlights Billy Connelly Tom Cruise having the Japanese shot at him The first battle scene Tom Cruise nearly getting killed at the end of the first battle Hiroyuki Sanada beating up Cruise in a kanata sword fight, brutally! Shin Koyamada having his knot cut off, very dramatic Shin Koyamadas exit The Ninja attack The final battle scenes The secret weapon used at the end of the final battle (a tear jerker for the women) Letdowns Billy Connellys Screen time Hiroyuki Sanadas screen time The Emperor's queer voice The Smugness of Omura (it isnt a letdown, more like the hate of...) Rating: 7.3 out of 10.0