BY PHILLIP NAKOV | It is a story about love, heroes and war. It is a tale about a man who must decide which leader to follow. Set in Japan during the 1870's, "The Last Samurai" tells the story of Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), an American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the government attempts to eradicate the ancient Samurai warrior class in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly affected by his encounters with the Samurai, which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his own sense of honor to guide him.

EXPECTATIONS

What I'd Seen

A rather dramatic trailers and movie posters with Tom Cruise charging with his mouth wide open atop a galloping stallion. A pose that my friend and I both agree is less than flattering and can't believe that Tom approved for use.

What I'd Heard

I had heard this was finally the film for which Tom will get his long awaited Oscar.

What I Wanted

A sweeping epic about a man, a country caught in the throes of change and some amazing battle sequences. Plus I wanted to be moved and wanted to care about the story and the conflicts.

EXPERIENCE

What Turned Me On

The countryside and the attention paid to detail in recreating Japan in the 1870's was simply breathtaking. The juxtaposition of Western modern culture and ancient Japanese traditions were interesting and intriguing to observe.

What Turned Me Off

The sheer length of the film and long drawn out sequences which were made a little longer than they needed to be for dramatic effect. It was as if they were trying to hard to make it a full blown epic picture with a little more than a shoestring story and plot. The characters were not all so likeable and their motivations not very well explained so as to help the audience understand their motivations nor do you really end up caring for them since they are not at all that deep.

Lines Worth Repeating

All the best lines were in Japanese... and I don't speak Japanese so I couldn't really tell you. All the Japanese dialogue is subtitled so please, don't worry about being lost in following the film. You will have other challenges, but not reading the subtitles will be the least of your worries.

Never Saw That Before

Tom Cruise speaking Japanese with such conviction and emotion! There is a scene where Tom is having a conversation with a young Japanese boy and both are conversing in Japanese so passionately that it actually brought me to tears.

Fidget Factor

Some. It is a long movie, but there is usually enough going on that one is seldom bored or looking at one's watch.

AFTERMATH

I left thinking... Such a big effort and such money spent on making a film with such a poorly developed story and a lack of character development. This film will certainly appeal to history buffs, war-movie lovers, Hollywood players and select Cruise fans. But this will not be a film that guys and girls who were once drawn to the cinema to view those pearly whites and dazzling eyes. Light on the teen and young adult appeal, this film is the serious movie of the Holiday season that your parents will go see and recommend your Aunt Ida and Uncle Aaron so see as well.

I left saying... I am SO in the mood for some good Sushi and sake for dinner tonight! Oh, and I think that Tom will get the Oscar for that role. Shall we get the cold sake or the warm sake? Did they really need to make that movie THAT long?

Expiry Date: This film will certainly run its course through the Award's season as Warner Brothers goes through the motions of making sure it is visible, seen and watched. Posters, billboards, TV ads, and print ads in the trades will blanket Hollywood and New York for the next two months.

When it comes out on DVD... it will be one of those collectible, special edition, director's cut, got to buy it and own it DVDs that cinephiles will surely gravitate towards but from which most die-hard Cruise fans will most likely shy away. I would recommend renting it, but unless you really need to watch it over and over, buying it is not mandatory.