ZombyHero
01-07-2004, 06:01 PM
I really wanted to like this movie. I like Japanese history a lot, and the Meiji period was a very important time of social change for the island country. So I very much wanted to enjoy this film.
But it wasn't to be. There's very little history in the Last Samurai, the audience of given only a small sliver of background information regarding Japan, and the conflict surrounding its Westernization. The film tries very hard to impart the wisdom of the Samurai and its traditions, but in reality, it only tells us that Japanese culture is beyond our understanding (the images of Buddha, for example, are used only to mystify the viewer, instead of trying to reach an understanding of spirituality). The scope of Japanese culture is also very limited, focusing only on warrior lifestyle.
The movie also remains rather ethnocentrist. Rather than attacking the Western ideologies that were in reality so harmful to country, the "bad guys" of the film remain either encapsulated in the "ain't they cold-hearted bastards" military stereotype or are Japanese characters entrenched in Western ideals. Never are the real causes of the country's distress discussed.
Moving past the history and onto the production itself, the film suffers most from a major identity crisis. Yea, multiple genre facets might make some films interesting, but The Last Samurai can't tell if its a historical piece, an action piece, a war movie, or Dances With Wolves (case in point: the "journal entry" voice overs). We're treated to large scale battles with cannons and generals as well as action-hero Tom Cruise kicking the ass of dumb-as-shit soilders while wielding two katanas. But none of it is actually exciting, because the direction during action sequences is too chaotic and confusing to follow well. There's no good flow to them, and it seems like it just cuts back and forth to shots of people getting stabbed. The director also plays with little editing tricks that play with time and perception, but none of it is particularly impactful or meaningful (like the scene where we get treated to a replay of a battle in slow-motion flashback, moments after it concludes in real-time....huh?).
My final gripe, aside from Tom's Cruise's non-existant acting ability is the whole look of the film. Its too dark. Japan is a beautiful, gorgeous country, so why are many scenes shot indoors with rediculously low key lighting? It made me sleepy. Actually, the whole film made me sleepy. So do yourself a favor and take a nap instead instead of paying money to see The Last Samurai.
But it wasn't to be. There's very little history in the Last Samurai, the audience of given only a small sliver of background information regarding Japan, and the conflict surrounding its Westernization. The film tries very hard to impart the wisdom of the Samurai and its traditions, but in reality, it only tells us that Japanese culture is beyond our understanding (the images of Buddha, for example, are used only to mystify the viewer, instead of trying to reach an understanding of spirituality). The scope of Japanese culture is also very limited, focusing only on warrior lifestyle.
The movie also remains rather ethnocentrist. Rather than attacking the Western ideologies that were in reality so harmful to country, the "bad guys" of the film remain either encapsulated in the "ain't they cold-hearted bastards" military stereotype or are Japanese characters entrenched in Western ideals. Never are the real causes of the country's distress discussed.
Moving past the history and onto the production itself, the film suffers most from a major identity crisis. Yea, multiple genre facets might make some films interesting, but The Last Samurai can't tell if its a historical piece, an action piece, a war movie, or Dances With Wolves (case in point: the "journal entry" voice overs). We're treated to large scale battles with cannons and generals as well as action-hero Tom Cruise kicking the ass of dumb-as-shit soilders while wielding two katanas. But none of it is actually exciting, because the direction during action sequences is too chaotic and confusing to follow well. There's no good flow to them, and it seems like it just cuts back and forth to shots of people getting stabbed. The director also plays with little editing tricks that play with time and perception, but none of it is particularly impactful or meaningful (like the scene where we get treated to a replay of a battle in slow-motion flashback, moments after it concludes in real-time....huh?).
My final gripe, aside from Tom's Cruise's non-existant acting ability is the whole look of the film. Its too dark. Japan is a beautiful, gorgeous country, so why are many scenes shot indoors with rediculously low key lighting? It made me sleepy. Actually, the whole film made me sleepy. So do yourself a favor and take a nap instead instead of paying money to see The Last Samurai.