Movie Review

[kenjari]

This weekend, Other Kenjari and I rented The Last Samurai. We both liked it a lot, but I do have one criticism: the script is kind of predictable. It's pretty easy to figure out exactly where the film is going before you're even an hour in. There were no surprises. However, I didn't care so much, because the execution is absolutely wonderful: good acting, good direction, good costumes, good art direction, good everything. Ken Watanbe was so charismatic as Katsumoto that I wanted to be part of his household.

Comments

[anacrucis.livejournal.com]

That was my impression of the film as well - that the script was pretty weak, but everything else was quite good.

[epilimnion.livejournal.com]

yeah, and let's not forget that silly "night of ten thousand ninjas" scene. But hey, I went for pretty samurai action, and that's what I got. Plus, attractive men!

And it was extra fun seeing it with you, anacrucis.

[kenjari.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it was disappointing that they chose to go with the "Hollywood" version of ninjas rather than a more historically accurate depiction.

[antoniusrex.livejournal.com]

It's a pretty movie, and Ken Watanabe is really the best thing about it. We had a little issue with the ending (lots of us who are either actually japanese or have read up a lot on Bushido code went to see it), but hey, it's hollywood.

Actually, it's just Dances With Wolves set in Japan. Seriously. Watch them side by side, and it's the same story. Funny really.

[kenjari.livejournal.com]

Other Kenjari, in fact, often refers to The Last Samurai as Dances with Samurai.