THE
LAST SAMURAI ($30) is a thoroughly enjoyable piece of cinematic
entertainment, filled with sweeping battles, stirring performances,
beautiful recreations of 19th century Japan, gorgeous cinematography and
thoughtful direction. Tom Cruise stars in THE LAST SAMURAI as
Captain Nathan Algren, a Civil War hero, who has turned to alcohol to numb
the self-loathing and grief he feels because of the atrocities in which he
forced to participate during his career. However, still the military man,
Algren accepts an opportunity to go to Japan, where he will assist in the
creation and training of a modern Japanese army against rebellious forces.
Shortly after his arrival in Japan, Algren’s unready troops are thrust
into battle with a traditionalist Samurai faction, lead by Katsumoto (Ken
Watanabe), who wants to retard the rapid modernization of Japan.
Having
a clear advantaged over the untrained peasant army, the Samurai win the
battle and take a wounded Algren prisoner. Hoping to learn from his
western enemy, Katsumoto transports Algren back to his isolated village,
offering him the hospitality of a guest, as they wait out the winter. Over
the course of months, Katsumoto and Algren develop a mutual respect, while
at the same time, Algren begins steeping himself in Japanese language,
culture and fighting techniques. As one might expect, Algren becomes
sympathetic Katsumoto’s cause and stands beside the Samurai in a final
battle between modern and traditional Japanese forces. The cast of THE
LAST SAMURAI also features Tony Goldwyn, Masato Harada, Koyuki, Billy
Connolly and Timothy Spall.
Warner
Home Video has made THE LAST SAMURAI available on DVD in a 2.35:1
wide screen presentation that has been enhanced for playback on 16:9
displays. This being a recent major studio "A" production, it
should come as no surprise that the transfer is absolutely stunning. The
image appears wonderfully sharp and produces well realized fine details.
Colors appear quite vibrant, while flesh tones are wholly natural and very
appealing. Hues are rock solid and are rendered without noise or other
aberrations. Blacks are silky smooth, whites are crisp and contrast is
uniformly excellent. Shadow detail is also excellent, plus the image is
rendered with a nice sense of dimensionality. The film elements used for
the transfer appear virtually perfect and there is hardly any perceivable
grain. Digital compression artifacts are always well contained.
THE
LAST SAMURAI comes with a very good Dolby Digital 5.1 channel
soundtrack. As expected, the mix becomes very aggressive during the film’s
battle sequences or any other time some form of action is engaged. As for
the film’s quieter passages, the mix is subdued and subtle, indicative
of the peaceful tranquility found in the isolated Japanese village.
Fidelity is quite good; sound effects are convincing and not forced.
Additionally, Hans Zimmer’s fine score is rendered delicate clarity and
musical presence. The bass channel is quite solid, and since this is a
period piece, the bottom end of the track is not pushed to ridiculous
depths. English dialogue is always crisply rendered, with excellent
intelligibility, plus all the voices have a natural timber. A French 5.1
channel track is also encoded onto the DVD, as are English, French and
Spanish subtitles.
Full
motion video, animation and sound serve to enhance the DVD's interactive
menus. Through the menus, one has access to standard scene selection and
set up features, as well as the supplemental materials, which have been
spread across both discs of this set. Featured on disc one is a running
audio commentary with director Edward Zwick. This is an excellent
commentary track, as Zwick goes into extensive detail talking about the
film’s production, without ever becoming boring during the film’s two
and a half hour running time.
Moving
on to disc two, one will find the remainder of the supplemental
programming. Tom Cruise: A Warrior’s Journey is a
twelve-minute program in which Cruise looks at his character’s
development, as well as the preparation he underwent for the role. Edward
Zwick: A Director’s Video Journal runs twenty-six minutes and
allows the director to share some of his experiences and insights from the
set and on location. Making An Epic: A Conversation With Tom Cruise
And Edward Zwick clocks in at nearly eighteen minutes and features
the director and star talking about the origins of the project and their
collaboration. History vs. Hollywood: The Last Samurai is a
twenty-two minute program from the History Channel that looks at the
historical events that served as inspiration for the film. A World
Of Detail: Production Design With Lilly Kilvert (seven minutes), Silk
And Armor: Costume Design With Ngila Dickson (six minutes), An
Imperial Army: Basic Training (five minutes) and From
Soldier To Samurai: The Weapons (five minutes) are four brief
programs are four self explanatory programs that detail their various
aspects of the production. Bushido: The Way Of The Warrior
is a text feature that spells out the Samurai philosophy and code of
honor. Also prided on disc two are two deleted scenes with optional
commentary, as well as a look at the film’s two Japanese premieres, plus
a theatrical trailer.
THE
LAST SAMURAI is a thoroughly entertaining film that has an intelligent
story, plus a good deal of action. As for Warner’s wide screen DVD
edition of the film, it looks fantastic and sounds great, not to mention
it offers a solid body of supplemental features. If you are a Tom Cruise
fan or enjoy action films set in historic periods, then you are certain to
enjoy THE LAST SAMURAI. Recommended.
THE
LAST SAMURAI ($30) is a thoroughly enjoyable piece of cinematic
entertainment, filled with sweeping battles, stirring performances,
beautiful recreations of 19th century Japan, gorgeous cinematography and
thoughtful direction. Tom Cruise stars in THE LAST SAMURAI as
Captain Nathan Algren, a Civil War hero, who has turned to alcohol to numb
the self-loathing and grief he feels because of the atrocities in which he
forced to participate during his career. However, still the military man,
Algren accepts an opportunity to go to Japan, where he will assist in the
creation and training of a modern Japanese army against rebellious forces.
Shortly after his arrival in Japan, Algren’s unready troops are thrust
into battle with a traditionalist Samurai faction, lead by Katsumoto (Ken
Watanabe), who wants to retard the rapid modernization of Japan.
Having
a clear advantaged over the untrained peasant army, the Samurai win the
battle and take a wounded Algren prisoner. Hoping to learn from his
western enemy, Katsumoto transports Algren back to his isolated village,
offering him the hospitality of a guest, as they wait out the winter. Over
the course of months, Katsumoto and Algren develop a mutual respect, while
at the same time, Algren begins steeping himself in Japanese language,
culture and fighting techniques. As one might expect, Algren becomes
sympathetic Katsumoto’s cause and stands beside the Samurai in a final
battle between modern and traditional Japanese forces. The cast of THE
LAST SAMURAI also features Tony Goldwyn, Masato Harada, Koyuki, Billy
Connolly and Timothy Spall.
Warner
Home Video has made THE LAST SAMURAI available on DVD in a 2.35:1
wide screen presentation that has been enhanced for playback on 16:9
displays. This being a recent major studio "A" production, it
should come as no surprise that the transfer is absolutely stunning. The
image appears wonderfully sharp and produces well realized fine details.
Colors appear quite vibrant, while flesh tones are wholly natural and very
appealing. Hues are rock solid and are rendered without noise or other
aberrations. Blacks are silky smooth, whites are crisp and contrast is
uniformly excellent. Shadow detail is also excellent, plus the image is
rendered with a nice sense of dimensionality. The film elements used for
the transfer appear virtually perfect and there is hardly any perceivable
grain. Digital compression artifacts are always well contained.
THE
LAST SAMURAI comes with a very good Dolby Digital 5.1 channel
soundtrack. As expected, the mix becomes very aggressive during the film’s
battle sequences or any other time some form of action is engaged. As for
the film’s quieter passages, the mix is subdued and subtle, indicative
of the peaceful tranquility found in the isolated Japanese village.
Fidelity is quite good; sound effects are convincing and not forced.
Additionally, Hans Zimmer’s fine score is rendered delicate clarity and
musical presence. The bass channel is quite solid, and since this is a
period piece, the bottom end of the track is not pushed to ridiculous
depths. English dialogue is always crisply rendered, with excellent
intelligibility, plus all the voices have a natural timber. A French 5.1
channel track is also encoded onto the DVD, as are English, French and
Spanish subtitles.
Full
motion video, animation and sound serve to enhance the DVD's interactive
menus. Through the menus, one has access to standard scene selection and
set up features, as well as the supplemental materials, which have been
spread across both discs of this set. Featured on disc one is a running
audio commentary with director Edward Zwick. This is an excellent
commentary track, as Zwick goes into extensive detail talking about the
film’s production, without ever becoming boring during the film’s two
and a half hour running time.
Moving
on to disc two, one will find the remainder of the supplemental
programming. Tom Cruise: A Warrior’s Journey is a
twelve-minute program in which Cruise looks at his character’s
development, as well as the preparation he underwent for the role. Edward
Zwick: A Director’s Video Journal runs twenty-six minutes and
allows the director to share some of his experiences and insights from the
set and on location. Making An Epic: A Conversation With Tom Cruise
And Edward Zwick clocks in at nearly eighteen minutes and features
the director and star talking about the origins of the project and their
collaboration. History vs. Hollywood: The Last Samurai is a
twenty-two minute program from the History Channel that looks at the
historical events that served as inspiration for the film. A World
Of Detail: Production Design With Lilly Kilvert (seven minutes), Silk
And Armor: Costume Design With Ngila Dickson (six minutes), An
Imperial Army: Basic Training (five minutes) and From
Soldier To Samurai: The Weapons (five minutes) are four brief
programs are four self explanatory programs that detail their various
aspects of the production. Bushido: The Way Of The Warrior
is a text feature that spells out the Samurai philosophy and code of
honor. Also prided on disc two are two deleted scenes with optional
commentary, as well as a look at the film’s two Japanese premieres, plus
a theatrical trailer.
THE
LAST SAMURAI is a thoroughly entertaining film that has an intelligent
story, plus a good deal of action. As for Warner’s wide screen DVD
edition of the film, it looks fantastic and sounds great, not to mention
it offers a solid body of supplemental features. If you are a Tom Cruise
fan or enjoy action films set in historic periods, then you are certain to
enjoy THE LAST SAMURAI. Recommended.
