The Last Samurai | Full Reaction
Added 2025-09-06 14:00:14 +0000 UTCI am still sitting with a lot of emotions after this beautiful movie. The strongest emotion I still feel is the heavy weight of it all. I'm realizing that this isn't a movie that is there to entertain you. It stays with you and changes the way that you see things for a moment.
At times I felt awe, other times I felt sadness, and by the end there was almost a quiet kind of anger bubbling up in me. Anger at how often history has taken something sacred and reduced it to rubble. Just another something to conquer and "modernize". This movie didn't hold back any of the tragedy of that loss. And that's what is left heavy on me even so long after the credits.
But there is also a strange kind of peace within this movie as well. Watching Algren's journey go from broken soldier to someone who begins to truly understand this way of life reminded me how powerful it is just be. Listen. Respect a culture that's not your own. It made me want to be more still and strong going forward in my own life.
A beautiful, 10/10 movie. I am so glad I watched this and got to experience a story that I won't soon forget. Thank you all for the votes!
Thank you for your support on Patreon!
Relax and enjoy 🍿🌿
LINK: https://youtu.be/AqtzSilGF5w
I watched this on Amazon Prime
Comments
I’m 50 and grown up with Cruise films. I think only in last 10 years is he getting the credit he deserves. His early stuff is great too. Check out Top Gun, Rain Man, Risky Business and Born on 4th of July which show his range.
Trevor Go
2025-09-09 02:27:01 +0000 UTCI think you would enjoy the television series Shogun
Trevor Go
2025-09-09 01:53:25 +0000 UTCI'm glad that isn't too bad of a slip-up. YouTube has a way of making small details seem like the end of the world haha. So it's a relief to hear I'm not the only one 🤣😅 But I'll be sure to never mix up Karate and Kung Fu in the future! bahaha I've watched a few YouTube explanations of the Meiji Era since this watch! It's very interesting and something I never really dove too much into, not even in school. I've heard of Braveheart and put it on a few polls here, but it hasn't won yet! Definitely one I'm interested in checking out eventually. I haven't seen any Mel Gibson films just yet, so hopefully I can get to those soon!
Kali Wali
2025-09-08 17:14:51 +0000 UTCI definitely agree! Even though the historical parts may be wildly inaccurate in parts, the emotional impact is incredible. And you're right about Tom Cruise! Watching this right after Edge of Tomorrow was such a drastic change. He really does have huuuuge range. And to think that those two films are only the tip of what he is capable of as an actor! I can't wait to dive into more :) Thanks for all the recs! A Few Good Men was a close-ish runner up in the poll against this film, so I'll probably jump into that one when I can next. But I'll add Minority Report! Lots of Shogun recommends in the comments of this one as well so I'll be adding that to my eventual show list for sure! I don't mind subtitles at all, so that doesn't shy me away from a good story haha
Kali Wali
2025-09-08 17:11:25 +0000 UTCDon’t feel bad about calling a katana a samurai sword. It’s a pretty well accepted alternative name. What is more egregious in my book is when I hear people using Karate and Kung fu interchangeably 😉 two different martial arts, two different countries and culture The movie is fictional. But the Meiji Era (the years from 1868-1912 during the rule of the Emperor Meiji) did take place. In which the Japanese transitioned from a feudal society to a modern one Japan had been a closed society, with little to no contact with the rest of the world, for centuries. Hence the outdated weaponry. Until Admiral Matthew Perry of the U.S. demanded that Japan open itself back up to trade in 1853. This is highly oversimplified. But some say this, along with the Russo-Japanese war, and the aspirations of the emperor, lead to Japanese empire. And subsequently it’s role in WWII Just curious if you’ve seen Braveheart? Similar kind of vibes. I think you would enjoy it
Robert da Spruce
2025-09-07 23:08:15 +0000 UTCThis is an amazing movie on how powerful of a feeling it gives you, regardless of the inaccuracies of history. I was glad you got to see this shortly after Edge of Tomorrow. It really gives you an example of how amazing Tom Cruise's range as an actor is. I look forward to you watching more of them. A Few Good Men is also another stellar performance by TC along with a great supporting cast. I look forward to you seeing that one as well. Minority Report for sci-fi, Jerry McQuire and Knight and Day for Rom-coms and of course the Top Gun movies as well as the Mission Impossible series. I'm sure there are others I am forgetting atm. I respect him as an actor, he is one of the best. It seems to me that if you are fascinated with Japanese culture with the Samurai that it might serve you to watch the series Shogun that came out a year or so ago. The story is fictional but the culture is shown as real as possible. The used actual Japanese historians, writers and advisors. It is heavy with sub-titles but the story is amazing.
Lastboyscout73 (John)
2025-09-07 03:22:11 +0000 UTCI almost feel guilty for not spoiling for you just how heavy this movie is. It’s one that you carry around for a while after watching. Sorry about that! It allows you to fall in love with the culture at the same pace he does which is why it hurts. Personally I find the devotion to perfecting each craft is so inspiring. It even shows in the way the actors carried themselves. Taka is such an interesting character and her movements are so intentional it makes me want to take life a little slower. The reveal of who she is to Nathan hits me like a brick and instantly changes how Nathan (and us) sees her. Katsumoto and Ujio were also stellar characters. You could feel the reservoir of emotion underneath their performances even with very little dialog. I’m so glad you watched this despite it being so heavy. For me it’s a movie powerful enough that I walk away from it changed, at least temporarily. In the long list of Tom Cruise films this is such a unique one.
Other Chris
2025-09-06 18:35:05 +0000 UTCIn addition to the Satsuma Rebellion, it is also true that there was the young Emperor Meiji, who began what is known as the Meiji Restoration in 1868, an epoch-changing decision by the Emperor to modernize and important moment in Japanese and world history, which led to the rebellion. Also, there was a real officer at that time sent to Japan to train their soldiers who ended up staying and fighting for the samurai, Jules Brunet, but he was French. So the film takes real historical events, but changes and fictionalizes them for the story. Also, it is no accident that you took note of the score, as it was composed by Hans Zimmer. And I concur with others that Born on the Fourth of July is another great Tom Cruise performance, maybe his best, alongside Magnolia. As great as every actor was in this film, if there's a standout performance, for me, it's Koyuki Kato as Taka. Her portrayal of Taka's quiet fury, gradual forgiveness, gentle spirit and deep well of feeling make it honestly one of my favorite performances of the last 20-odd years. Her performance completely arrests my attention, stops my heart and inspires me to be a better person every time I watch this film. And as Samurai was directed by Edward Zwick, I cannot recommend enough probably his other greatest film, Glory. I hope you can get to that one of these days; it would be perfect for Black History Month, for example. This was a wonderful reaction, and I cried every step of the way with you. I hope you and everyone here in the community are having a great weekend. Cheers!
Andy Jordan
2025-09-06 17:37:22 +0000 UTC
