Shinken Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 A few days ago, I went to see the Matrix sequel, Matrix: Reloaded, as I am sure many others have. As I watched the upcoming movie trailers/previews, one in particular caught my attention, and it SURE wasn't "Pirates of the Carribbean" (honestly, who bases a movie off a THEME PARK RIDE!!!) *A-hem* The movie is called "The Last Samurai", and it is a film about a foreign man (Tom Cruise :nope: ) who has created a life for himself in Japan; specifically a wife and child. Unfortunately for him, he is caught in the war between the now dwindling samurai and the Meiji government (I think; it seems to me to be the same time period as Rurouni Kenshin), and he must defend his family. Hitokiri Battosai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2 Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 Yeah I've been following that movie ever since I saw it previewed in Entertainment Weekly Magazine. As I understand it, Cruise plays a Civil War Veteran who travels to Japan. There he learns the way of the samurai and the art of Bushido. This premise has been used a couple of times before, most noteably in the miniseries "Shogun."(I hope I'm not the only one who sees the resemblence) But by what I've seen so far the movie looks really good. I especially like the set designs. And I know this is just wishful thinking, but since its set during the Meiji Restoration, maybe the great Shinsengumi will make an appearance. (But I'm sure they won't) The only problem I have with the movie is the title. I really don't believe a filthy gaijin such as Tom Cruise should be considered the "Last Samurai." Oh well, I still can't wait to see the movie.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Webb Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 I'm with WW2. If anything, the title is what really bothers me. I don't know about everybody else, but I'm having a hard time believing somebody [i]in no way Japanese[/i] could be considered "the last samurai." Unless the title is plural. Remember, there is no such word as "samurais." Cruise's character probably isn't [i]the[/i] last samurai, but [i]one of the[/i] last samurai. Anyway, it looks like a pretty good film. When is it set to come out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2 Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 I think its set to be released this year in late Fall or early Winter. But I'm not entirely sure, I have to check my sources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epitome Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 Havent seen this preview but Tom Cruise, a foreign man, I dont get it. Hes American, how can he be foreign (From America). Doesnt make sense too me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Webb Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Agatio [/i] [B]Havent seen this preview but Tom Cruise, a foreign man, I dont get it. Hes American, how can he be foreign (From America). Doesnt make sense too me. [/B][/QUOTE] Being foreign means that you're in a country that's not your own. It all depends on where you're from. If a Japanese man comes to America, the Japanese man is foreign. If an American man goes to Japan, the American is foreign. If you go to a country that you're not a citizen of, you're the foreigner. The movie takes place in Japan, and Tom Cruise plays an American. If Tom Cruise is an American in Japan, then the Japanese people can call him a foreigner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 [size=1][i]I'm having a hard time believing somebody in no way Japanese could be considered "the last samurai." [/i] I didn't get that, either...but it made me smile.[/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Warlord Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 That movie was very strange looking, indeed... after all Tom Cruise is Crackah White, how's he the last samurai :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarK DeatH Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 Oh God! I can't see how could they put Tom Cruise as a samurai at all... I hope tat guy doesn't ruin the movie... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlgaTheDwarf Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 I personally hate Tom Cruise, and this movie looks to me like it's going to be a Tom Cruise love-fest. Having said that I probably will not be going to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorykoAngelcry Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 [COLOR=darkred][SIZE=1]Tom Cruise's movies are sort of a rollercoaster in my opinion. Some are really good, others are really bad. . He seemes a bit of a skitish(that's a word right? . . maybe I am spelling it wrong?) actor, and I just hope this is one of his better movies. From the storyline everyone above has mentioned, it looks interesting, and I will be looking forward to seeing it. It is looking like it will be an epic type of movie (see We Were Soldiers, Braveheart, etc.). The costumes are great, and some of the scenes look absolutely astounding. I will definitely be seeing this opening day, no doubt about it. *nods* Time will tell how good the storyline and acting is though =P[/SIZE][/COLOR] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkadyz Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 [size=1][color=crimson][i]Well ill admit im not the biggest tom cruise fan and I had reservations about this movie...But when I saw the trailer infront of matrix reloaded it looks really good. The set design looks very good and the battle sequences had a realistic look to them. I for one am looking forward to this one. :smoke:[/i][/color][/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shinken Posted May 22, 2003 Author Share Posted May 22, 2003 I think the movie will be good, even with Cruise in it. The action scenes that they showed during the trailer, while brief, have me a little bit anxious (Samurai dressed in full armor charging into battle against soldiers dressed like the police in Rurouni Kenshin, looks great). I also hope that the Shinsengumi make an appearance, because they are one of my favorite historical groups. And as for the title, I HOPE that by Samurai they meant it in the plural, 'cause I also believe that Cruise would not make the best samurai. I still wanna see it though. Hitokiri Battosai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2 Posted May 22, 2003 Share Posted May 22, 2003 I just noticed something after watching the trailer. If Tom Cruise is teaching the Japanese how to use western weapons, then he is sided with the Bakufu (Military Government). This means he must be fighting the imperialist who hoped to restore power back to the emperor. If this is so, then he is destined to lose his battle because the imperialist won over the Bakufu. Then again I may be wrong.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePikasElbow Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 I don't understand why people are against Cruise being the last samurai. Would you prefer Jackie Chan? Cruise is a great actor that was in one of the best films last year (minority report), and I have confidence in him. So what if he's not Japanese? Being a samurai is about honor and duty, not about race. And by the name Last Samurai, they most likely mean he was the last one to accept the code and training. The movie does have other samurai. The story looks like a great epic, and I will definitely check it out. We need some good samurai films anyways. There's Kurosawa of course, but I think it would be interesting to see how Hollywood tackles a samurai epic. So I'm very anxious to see the film. I'm not a fan of the director, but we will see how it turns out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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