THE LAST SAMURAI!
Yes, you heard me correctly. The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe...and BILLY CONNOLLY.

Let me explain myself.

The Last Samurai is one of the few films I can watch over and over again and not be bored. It's fairly simple in terms of plot, basically a Dances With Wolves esque idea whereby Captain Nathan Algren (Cruise) is captured by the Samurai during a battle between the Samurai and the Japanese army, fighting to industrialise and modernise Japan with Western cultures.

Algren develops a Stockholm Syndrome of sorts and reveals through voice over narratives from his diary that he finds the Samurai an extremely interesting and inspirational people. He is kept alive because the Samurai's leader, Katsumoto (Watanabe) wants to learn about the opponent he is facing. Katsumoto seeks to preserve the traditions of Japan and studies Algren in order to plan his best course of defence against the West.

The dynamic between Algren and Katsumoto is awesome throughout the movie. You see their relationship transform from a mutual hatred to a mutual respect that culminates in the final battle that I won't spoil.

Algren is eventually released by the Samurai but, during his captivity, he has developed such a hatred for who he once was and who he once worked for that he cannot successfully reintegrate himself into society, so he returns to the Samurai oncemore and aids them in their battle against modernity.

If you also stick on the fact that it's a beautifully shot film in an amazing landscape, coupled with a traditional and fitting score that dramatically heightens many of the scenes (especially the one where Algren is repeatedly beat-down by the resident alpha-male Samurai), it makes for viewing delight.

It comes from the direction of Edward Zwick, who also directed Blood Diamond, which is just as awesome.

Watch it.
( mike woz ere 7442200 & 7696970 getter, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 6:09, 2 replies)

Yup - cool movie
Even though HE is in it.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 9:40, closed)

I concur
Great stuff
( scoshi pretending to diet since, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 10:29, closed)