 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Last Samurai
- Review Date: May 3, 2004
- R
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
Outstanding action and performance; lots of blood.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has extreme and graphic violence with many grisy wounds and a lot of blood. Many characters are killed, including some we have come to care about. Parents should especially be aware of the way that this movie portrays the traditional samurai notion of suicide as an honorable choice in the event of a defeat. The movie also includes some strong language, alcohol abuse, smoking, and sexual references. One of the movie's strengths is its respect for the Japanese culture and its portrayal of strong and respectful relationships between people of different races and cultures.
What's the story?
THE LAST SAMURAI centers on Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a Civil War veteran irredeemably corrupted by wartime atrocities and devoid of honor. When he is offered a job to train Japanese soldiers in modern fighting techniques, he does not care whose side he will be on. He is still haunted by a raid that killed civilian Indians. Algren goes to work training soldiers in modern tactics so that they can defeat a samurai rebellion led by Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe). Against his best judgment, the troops are sent in against the samurai too soon. They are defeated, and Algren is captured. Algren learns that the samurai believe that they, not the troops Algren has been training, are doing what the emperor needs. He's impressed and ultimately moved by them. Algren -- or at least the man he once was -- has more in common with the samurais' life of "service, discipline, and compassion" than he has with any of his peers. The samurai have all the honor and self-respect that Algren left behind when he followed orders he despised. Algren is trained by the samurai in the ancient arts, which include not just fighting but living.
Is it any good?
The Last Samurai has some outstanding action scenes and memorable performances, but its greatest strength is its scope. Director/co-author Edward Zwick imbues every part of the screen with respect, even majesty. The epic reach of the movie is grounded in committed and thoughtful performances, especially Watanabe and Koyuki as Taka, his sister. Cruise delivers his usual performance, sincere and loaded with movie star charisma. His mastery of the samurai fighting techniques is impressive.
However, the movie's greatest weakness is that while we know that Algren's commanding officer is a bad guy, the emperor is a weak guy advised by a greedy guy, and Katsumoto is a good guy, we never understand the substance of the conflict well enough to take sides. One side may be corrupt, but it is grappling with the inevitable in engaging with modernity. The other side may have honor and dignity, but in embracing its own extinction it seems to have forgotten how to do anything but fight, no matter what the consequences to its community. And the last 20 minutes or so are disappointingly formulaic, undercutting the power of everything that went before.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what it means to say that "A man does what he can until his destiny is revealed."
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AGE
the best samurai flick ever!
Awesome Japanese warrior adventure movie set in Civil war times with Tom Cruise portraying a Northern civil war hero who is dragged into a Japanese war of attiquite goverment, and ancient war skills.
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Kid, 11 years old
October 12, 2010
AGE
PURE GENIOUS
BRILLIANT PURE BRILLIANT i love this film all though its violent i dont care its brilliant and appropriat for kids but maybe a liitle less gore next time but still brillIANT.
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AGE
Great for anyone who likes this time period
This is, i think, the best movie dealing with samurai i have ever seen. The music and cam work are great (dosent linger on large wounds) and the story is fasanating. Also, it is a perfect 13+ action flick. High body count with lots of kick-a charaters. great for older teens
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AGE
Great for everyone!
If your kids have problems with violence and aren't desensitized like most people then this movie is not for them. But if they are like me, they will love it! There is just decapitation and blood spurting, nothing too bad or really graphic. This movie is great, when my dad and I watched it, he cried at the end. Really great!
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AGE
Good, But Not Great.
This film is good and it is entertainng, but it didn't amaze me. It has a rather slow start, and then get's very violent towards the end. While this film is R rated, I think most teenagers will be able to handle it. But it houldn't be shown to pre-teens due to its violent content, which is bloody, but isn't very graphic, limited to blood flying in battle etc.
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AGE
A Must See!
This movie has good values in it. Yet it's extremely violent (don't recommend for kids under 10). It is such a good movie -- it is a 10, "A MUST SEE!"
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AGE
Strong and good, but it could be better
It's a good movie for action fans and the story is good. Mixed messages occur when a business man wants to wipe out the Samurai, and a strong Samurai leader who wants to protect the ancient ways and arts of Japan. Algren is a drinking soldier who hates killing innocent Native Americans (not that good of a role model at first, but he at least has a reason).
Decide for yourself but this does give a small insight in the way of the Samurai (Bushido, pronounced as Boo-she-doe), and it does incorporate martial arts and focusing your mind, but not extensively.
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Edward Zwick |
| Cast: | Ken Watanabe, Masato Harada, Tom Cruise |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 154 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 4, 2003 |
| DVD release date: | May 4, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong violence and battle sequences |
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