In case this wasn't clear: Captain Algren isn't actually the last samurai. The last samurai is Katsumoto, this is his story, which is only revealed at the very end when Algren tells the emperor "I will tell you how he lived." Absolutely beautiful film!
Yes, Samurai can also be taken to be the plural form, as in the story is the end of the Samurai as a whole, people who think this is a white savior movie haven’t seen it
I wasnt surprised that these guys thought Tom Cruise`s charachter was the last samurai after watching a few other of theire reactions. But still believe that was the fact even after they watched the movie was a surprise even for theire standard :)
@@bamflyer So if there is no element of white saviour, why do you think they made it into the "noble savage" thing of Samurai refusing to use gunpowder which was completely and utterly false?
One of my friends who saw this at the time made an observation that stuck with me. The honored the traditions of both American and Japanese action movies. The American main character survived everything, and the Japanese main characters all had good deaths.
@@rastiga9196 Absolutely. But for the most part, whoever the star is in American movies, will survive anything (outside of a token death to help motivate everyone else and bring a sprinkling of sadness in to make the happy ending hit stronger).
@@philproffitt8363 I am not making any value judgements with my statement about any particular survival or death and the impact it had in the overall story, just that it happened. (As a quick and mostly agreeing with you side note, I both enjoyed the low key love story and am good with him surviving to deliver the sword, but I don't think the love story would have suffered with his death, it would have just removed the happy ending aspect of it)
Reminds me of a scene in an old Tom berenger film called last of the dogmen,him and an archeology professor go looking for Indians who long since died out.,doesn't sound great but it is.
"From the moment they wake, they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever it is they pursue. I have never seen such discipline." One of my favorite movie quotes of all time. This movie was so good.
Me too. I think of this line often when trying to learn new skills or hobbies. I definitely lack the discipline of people(s) from the past lol. Even with things like UA-cam
This movie was incredible. Visually stunning and Tom Cruise was perfect in this role which was a pleasant surprise. I always cry during the final battle especially when the petals start falling…
It's a fantastic movie. Tom Cruise at his absolute best and the dedication he has to learning new skills for a movie role really shows. Those battle scenes are awesome. Everyone was perfectly cast in their roles and the acting was superb by everyone. I watched one reaction where the reactor said, "He can't die...he's Tom Cruise".... LOL clearly they haven't seen Edge of Tomorrow - yet another amazing film of his.
One of the greatest movies of all time. Hans Zimmer created the score and as always absolutely incredible. This movie, legends of the fall, braveheart and the last of the mohicans are a must see in life. Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives!
I'm sure the film wouldn't be as emotional or impactful if it didn't have that exact same soundtrack. Hans Zimmer is my favorite film composer and this film is one of my favorites of all time, I never get tired of rewatching it and I often miss it. I feel the need to come back to it every now and then because it gives me the same feeling that the main character has at the end, a small measure of peace...🙃
Not only Tom Cruise's best film, but one of my favorite movies of all time. Nathan Algren finally found a life that allowed him to display the honor and integrity he possessed. Imagine being a soldier and having to follow orders given by a morally bankrupt "superior" officer. Every time Nathan killed an unarmed person it took a piece of his soul because he had integrity and honor, and he knew how wrong it was. He hated himself for not standing up for what was right...until he met the Samurai. A stunningly beautiful story! As many times as I've seen it, it still makes me cry.
Katsumoto's last words have a double meaning. Even in the era of change from the samurai era to the westernization, he sticks to his own way of life and beliefs as a samurai, dying beautifully in battle, and the falling cherry blossoms that have grown splendidly over the years. From Japan
In the end when Katsumoto says "They are all perfect" I believe he finally comes to the understanding that all of the blossoms are perfect, even with their flaws they are as they are meant to be.
Wow... I'm so glad you guys did reaction on this one. It's my favorite movie of all time, nothing gets close! I can watch it 1000 times with same emotions every time. Masterpiece!
the scene when ujio swings his sword at algren and stops less than an inch away was a legit move he showed the director for how precise he could be . they included it for him.
That's the type of stunt I somehow know Tom Cruise would approve of due to stories of how committed he is to his roles. So much respect to both, the skill and the trust and commitment.
@@darkphoenix2 you never know with Tom Cruise. In Mission impossible 2, where a guy tries to stab him in the eye and stops milimeters away from his eye, was apparently done using some kind of device and using a real blade.
@@markw4613 i heard rope as well, but i'm skeptical of that. 1st, the knife is way to stable. if it was attached to a rope then i'd expect it to move around more once it dropped. 2nd, there's no bounce when the knife drops. edit: ok, so before i sent the reply i thought i'll google more about the stunt. Turns out, the knife was attached to a steel cable and the villain in the movie was actually trying to stab Tom Cruise, using all his strength but the cable attached to the blade wouldn't allow it to reach Tom. Now it explains why the blade wasnt moving around once it dropped and why there was no bounce. Nuts.
@Timed Revolver but what it gets wrong is who the samurai actually were. Specifically they were the Japanese equivalent of European knights who sure, could be honorable, but they lived for the money. They used their skills to serve the aristocracy and had many privileges in society but by the late 1800s Japan wanted to become a modern country. So instead of relying on expensive samurai, the government could train a peasant who earlier could never compete with a skilled samurai and make them into a professional soldier trained by western officers. The samurai saw their status fading away and so rebelled but it wasn't because they refused to modernize like the movie portrays. It was because they knew thet were becoming obsolete and some evem used firearms
@@Spongebrain97 ...It's fictional, not biographical. If the movie passed itself off as a true retelling, then I'd get the criticism. But it didn't. You sound like the person who gets mad because no human could actually be Batman.
@@MrNewVegas2281 Wow, somebody has no reading comprehension at all. My first comment wasn't hostile in any way. I was just explaining why the tale told in the film was historically inaccurate. My second comment was to some jackass who felt the need to try 'owning' me by running their mouth and showing they're an idiot. This comment is in response to someone who had no point to make, but felt they should interject anyway because, damn it, they want to be heard for no reason.
WOW! Did not expect this film to be this dang good. What was your reaction? What would you rate this film? One of Tom Cruise's best? Full Reactions on Patreon: www.patreon.com/baddmedicine Backup channel Subscribe here ua-cam.com/channels/1CLUwA27dz-94o3FR0o3xg.html
Won't say best cause cruise has one of the best filmography of all time. Collateral, Jerry Maguire, magnolia, few good men, rain man, born on the fourth of July etc many movies of his are top notch
Also, I don’t think any of y’all caught the white tiger connection (the intro dream and the flag). That’s what Kat’mo was thinking about when he first saw him.
Such a beautiful expression of the Japanese culture. Honestly, this is one of my favorite movies. Fun fact: The Last Samurai did better in Japan than it did in the US. Proof that even fiction can embrace the ideals and beliefs of the culture portrayed with respect and reverence.
Similarly, Ghost of Tsushima was a videogame which was mostly well received but had a wave of complaints about cultural appropriation in USA and Europe while being the biggest-selling game in Japan and having several reviews from Japanese media saying it's the most Japanese game ever made. Which is a fair trade since the most American game ever made is Metal Wolf Chaos, which was made in Japan but never released in the West (until the remake which unfortunately wasn't as good as the original).
@@a-blivvy-yusBoth times, the politically correct showed that they have no idea what they're talking about and are only pretending to be virtuous for the sake of appearances.
This movie is out of this world, the first time i watched i cried sooooo damn much. It's just a masterpiece, so beautiful. I wish more people gave the right appreciation this movie actually deserves!
Yet another movie that was totally filmed in New Zealand. NZ was chosen not just for the scenery but also for the Mountain that looks just like Mt Fuji. Plus, the country has a lot of experience with local filming having done the LOTRs and Avatar movies here. Tom enjoyed his stay in New Zealand. Cheers.
One important point lost on a lot of people is that the cutting of Nobutada’s topknot in the market is a form of symbolic castration; a way of saying “you weren’t strong or skilled or virile enough to stop me. I let you live because you aren’t worthy of a warrior’s death.” Several period films play with the social ramifications of this disgrace more. I recommend ‘Hara-Kiri: The Death of a Samurai’ in particular.
Such wonderful reactions to this beautiful and deep movie. Everybody I know loves this masterpiece. Whenever I think of the fact that Japan functions under the American Constitution, although its traditions and culture couldn`t be more different from the American ones, it always bends my mind.
Just woke up here in Sydney Australia and am soooo excited to settle in with a coffee and watch this. One of my all time favourite movies and you guys have been just hitting it out of the park with your reactions. I'm a busy mum of two who struggles with anxiety and your videos are the way I choose to spend my downtime! Thanks guys!
so basically this movie is based off the true events of the civil war between Samurai and the imperial japan (not 100% accurate since the US weren't involved yet), Japan was undergoing major cultural changes during this time period (mostly because of influences from western countries like France and the relationship with the Dutch, not so much the US right now), In the span of a decade, rebels fought to retain the old way of life (also samurai for hundreds to thousands of years were the ultimate power and military leaders of Japan, up until Japan started to adapt to form a western type of military and more western constitution, the war really took off after the new laws that banned people from wearing a katana sword in public among other things, this forced samurai to adapt causing the cultural to come to an end
Wow! I watched this film last night, because I know the films you guys title this way are always phenomenal, and I was blown away. I had to immediately watch your reactions to it. I cannot believe that I went my whole life without watching this film. An absolute masterpiece! Thank you everyone who recommended them to watch it, because you help me discover this film, and already I can say it’s one of my favourite films that I’ve ever seen!
That's my favorite "romance" or rather growing appreciation and forgiveness story in movies. Very subtle and tactful. And that kiss in my mind is more like farewell and gratefulness for going into battle to surely die for her land , culture and children.
I remembered when this movie came out. I was in college taking a Japanese language course. My professor encouraged the class to watch this movie. It was and still is a great movie. Thank you for the review/reaction.
The acting in this movie is great.. Everyone is great but the stand out is Ken Watanabe. His masterful acting is one of the most powerful and unforgettable performances I've ever seen in a film. It earned him an Oscar nomination..
I loved Tim Robbins in Mystic River (who won the Oscar that year) but man, Watanabe easily could have won. He's beyond incredible in this film. He lives that character.
I like the romance in this movie! We don't know if her former husband was a good man, he was probably not very loving with his kids and such, which is probably pretty normal in this setting, but Algren shows that he's different, and it's probably endearing to her. Plus they spent like 6 months together before that kiss happens, which is a big plus in my eyes. At least it cannot be called rushed. I would not have minded if it stopped at them giving each other looks, either, but a lot of movies just put a random romance in to check a box, without complexity and without doing anything to make it believable.
I never considered that Taka’s spouse was possibly not a sweet, loving dad and husband. I agree with you. That is a possibility! Which may be one factor she, in time, learned to like Algren. As Nathan himself observed while living among them, those people are almost always formal, serious, stoic, super polite, and that they avoid expressing too much emotions and feelings. So, assuming Hirotaro was possibly not a sweet dad is not that unreasonable. Thanks for the insight!
A phenomenal movie I had the pleasure of seeing right out of high school. Had a huge impact on my viewpoints of what I wanted to study in college, history being my topic of interest. I know not everything was actually correct in this film historically, but man, was it inspiring none the less. Great reaction guys, can't wait to see more movies like this on your channel with historical topics.
I watched this movie in theater and it moved me deeply, foundet my fascination with japanese culture and a big interest in sword fencing. Took me nearly twenty years to try it, though, and against medical advice, but I try the best I can and I take this Determination and the philosophy to fight through a long dark time in my life. In retroperpective I dare to say, that subconciously this movie influenced a whole lot of my life.
The acting is so good. That stare when your prisoner of war has not only acquired a weapon, could have escaped in the chaos, but had your back in a fight.
The key thing about the scene where Algren is getting beaten down by Ujiro with the bokken in the rain is that they all realize that he absolutely will not stop fighting until he is incapable of doing so or he dies. This is the moment where Ujiro begins to respect him, as shown by the fact that he tosses Algren's bokken to the boy at the end so he cannot pick it up again, instead of leaving it on the ground in contempt like he had previously.
I've seen this movie over a dozen times and it just occurred to me how difficult it would be to corral all of those terrified horses after the battle scenes were shot. Great reaction by the way.
My first time of seeing Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Hiroyuki Sanada etc. Marvelous movie with the most beautiful music, stunning sets and truly adrenaline pumping fight scenes. Absolutely marvelous 5/5 historical dramatization 😁❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍
I LOVED that you did this movie. So many beautiful messages. Too many mind!! How that message keeps me in my own life. Fabulous reaction!! I own it. The culture and honor. So much respect to you guys to feel this movie.
Not only does Algren show that they aren't ready by getting shot at, he is also willing to die at the spot to end his suffering. This movie is so amazing on so many levels. The war cry after they defeated the ninja attack gives me chills everytime. So god.
this movie is so well done. its beautiful and heartbreaking. the action is wwell done,t he acting is good, the scenes are beautifully shot, the story is really good on so many levels. it really is pretty flawless.
You guys should check out some other movies with Ken Watanabe. He's really a terrific actor in every right. This film always hits me hard. Sure they took some liberties with the history here (There were instances of Samurai wielding guns for a long time before the Meiji restoration), but overall the story is just phenomenal. The setting, the action, the characters. Just all so great. The music especially, one of cinema's finest scores. "I will tell you how he lived", god what a good line!
Re watch this each year with my buddies and that ending still gets a tear out of us. Side note we always felt the "last Samurai" title philosophically was never referring to Tom Cruise's character but us as the audience were seeing the last of the Samurai through Tom's eyes essentially.
This is truly one of my favourite films with Tom in. A superbly told story which shows the honour and tradition so well , although there were mixed feelings of the true historical relevance from many Japanese. Although Katsumoto was fictional there are links to Saigõ Takamori who was a Samurai under the Meiji Restoration. I think Ken and Hiroyuki performances are astounding. For more Samurai amazing films with Hiroyuki , watch The Twilight Samurai and also Legend of Eight Samurai. The Twilght Samurai won 38 awards including 12 Japan Academy Awards.
Oh wow wasn't expecting this at all but I'm so glad you guys chose it. Everything about this Movie is beautiful. From the scenery, to the music and the actors performances. Loved it😍
The one glove thing is so that he may touch commoners (such as placing a hand on the shoulder of an advisor) and things commoners have touched (such as the vessel from which he drinks after a servant has delivered it) without being despoiled. He is a Living God and above physical connection with mere mortals. The Living God is so pure that the act of touching his flesh is believed to be able to taint his purity and could carry a death sentence. (edit:was thining of other movie LUL) edit: Check out The Last Emperor sometime, one of the most beautiful films on SO many levels EVER made in cinematic History.....you'll thank me after watching it, and you're welcome😁
I love that you guys hear general custar and that he was a great man and are astounded. then when Ulgrin sayys he was a POS man looking after his own glory not to much to say.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Thanks for your guys’ genuine reactions and review. I’m glad you all got to experience this phenomenal film. As a suggestion I think you should watch the movie “Hidalgo” with Viggo Mortensen. It’s a great film that also has subtext around Native American heritage. Anyways, great video and I can’t wait for your next one!
If you like this movie then I'm sure you all will enjoy The 13th Warrior starring Antonio Banderas. Do yourselves a favor and watch it with subtitles because you may miss some things without them. It's based on a Michael Chriton book called "Eaters of the Dead" and explores Viking culture up close and personal. I was fortunate enough to see it in the theater for the first time and I went back 3 more times because I was just so absorbed... My friends tell me it's a "guys movie" so I'm hoping you all will appreciate it as much as I do. Needless to say, I own this one for sure.... and if you like that then try watching The Boondock Saints (the first one)..... Thanks for sharing and keep the reactions coming.
I have watched this movie countless times I cry every time imo this is the best movie Tom Cruise has done and believe me I love Tom Cruise great reaction guys
This is definitely a movie that I can watch over and over again. It's visually stunning and the action and acting are on point. My favorite Tom Cruise movie!
Great reaction to a fantastic movie one of my top 10 of historical period movies including The Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, Braveheart, Rob Roy and tv shows like Rome, The Tudors, Medici, The Borgias, and Versailles as examples. 😊
This is a great movie that I have not watched for a long time now. The visuals and the emotions of this movie are incredible. It was fun watching you guys with the emotional investment. Great reaction.
This film is such a blast. When he endears himself to the family, and created relationships with all the people in the village... Brilliantly written, and I'm still enjoying my own search for the perfect blossom...
I've been to Japan and you can really feel their culture pretty much every where you go. That adage of 'the nail that sticks it's head up gets hammered down' seems to hold true. Weariness of outsiders, playing it safe, being polite out of fear of making a social blunder, that kind of thing are pretty common. There's definitely some negatives to that. A lot probably don't get the mental health care they need, and there's a lot of pressure. But it's nice, too. Even in rush hour nobody lays on their horn, people come and go and pass almost without incident even in a city of 8 million like Tokyo, and the crime is very very low. It's interesting to see in person. The Samurai were probably too much to bear after a while for the Japanese though. People were in deed scared to death of them. They could terrorize who they wanted, when they wanted. It was probably a huge relief when they were gone.
Japan is a beautiful country but as you said it has it's negatives, as does every country. I've heard that there is quite a bit racism going on in Japan and while some weariness of outsiders isn't always necessarily a bad thing but like all cultures there is some issues that can use some ironing out. However, the respect that the Japanese can give people including outsiders is fantastic and should be incorporated in all countries, hopefully.
@@evansutcliffe1099 Yeah it is a beautiful place. And unique. And ultimately you don't want to encroach too much on what makes the country special. Just hope there can be a respectful exchange. Which there usually is, as long as you're polite.
@@ct6852 as should be the standard for any country, which im happy to be grateful and appreciative of if or when i do go. just out of curiosity, what are some other countries, if any, that you would visit?
@@evansutcliffe1099 I think if I could choose on more big trip for the rest of my life it would probably be Italy/Rome. Then Costa Rica. UK maybe. Germany. South Africa? I donno there's a lot of places I'd like to see. Can't really afford it, though.
I absolutely love this movie! I don't think I'm the only one here who would love living in that japanese village. There's so many powerful and perfect scenes I don't know where to start. But scenes that really piss me off, scenes that are strong and scenes that are movingly beautiful... and with an amazing soundtrack that is always there. Even if I've seen the movie several times, it get's me emotional every time.
This movie is on my list of all-time favorites for pure emotion. It's up there with movies like "What Dreams May Come" and "Secret Life of Walter Mitty" as some of the most tear-jerking content ever put on film. Fantastic watch and, as always, another fantastic react by one of my favorite teams on the Tube.
I first watched The Last Samurai expecting to dislike it. Tom Cruise as the last samurai? I’ve watched it many times since it was released. It’s beautiful, with Tom Cruise playing a character who is witness to the last samurai. 10/10.
I adore this movie. It's a tradition to watch it with my Dad at this point, and we have the best time every time. This and Collateral are my favorite Tom Cruise movies by a lot. Granted, I haven't seen many of his movies. But it's no contest for me.
I’ve never understood why people immediately assume Tom Cruise is the last Samurai. Just because he’s in it. You just don’t know a story until it’s revealed. Katsumoto was the last of the Samurai.
I don’t know if you realized it while watching the movie and just edited it out, but the reason why Katsumoto was staring at Algren in that first battle was because of the vision he had. He had a vision of his warriors fighting a white tiger. And during that first battle when Algren wouldn’t give up even though he was surrounded and beaten down several times, he was using a flag and it’s staff to continue fighting, the flag had a white tiger on it. So he was watching so intently because that was his vision coming true. Phenomenal movie, great reactions! 💙💙💙
The way the gatling gun scene at the end is shot is amazing. Building music during their charge towards the hill and then as the gatling guns begin to fire the music just cuts out and you're left with the sounds of the guns and the carnage they are enacting with the music returning as everyone falls.
This was de first 'grown up' movie I saw. My dad took me to the theathers when I was like 12. It impressed me a lot and this movie will always have a special place in my heart. It is just soo good. I can't watch it without crying. The music also is amazing..
Ken Watanabe got Oscar nominated for this, his first American movie - amazing !!! And so deserved. Ujo is great, too. Algren vs. five guys in slow mo is zoweeee!
GUYS. Firstly, LOVE this reaction. I too underestimated this movie, and had my mind blown the first time I watched it. It is high up on my list of favorites. Second, there are so many other Tom Cruise movies that you must watch! He’s made so many incredible films that have been somewhat forgotten or flown under the radar. Here’s my top suggestions: Edge of Tomorrow. This movie kicks ASS. Seriously, it is one of the best sci-fi movies of all time. The marketing totally screwed over the movie and it underperformed at the box office, but it’s gained so much popularity over the years simply from great word-of-mouth. Emily Blunt co-stars, and Bill Paxton has a small role that’s very reminiscent of Hudson from Aliens. The movie has very little cgi - the battle scenes are real, the super heavy battle suits they wear are real… it’s legit. It’s hilarious, it’s badass, it’s heartfelt, it honestly has everything you could want in a movie. Also, a killer score that perfectly fits and elevates the whole thing. Seriously, if you haven’t already seen it, watch it ASAP. Oblivion: this is another sci-fi movie that’s been underrated, but hasn’t gained popularity over time in the same way that Edge of Tomorrow has - and it’s a shame, because while it’s not as great as EOT, it’s still fantastic. It was directed by Joe Kosinski, who also directed Top Gun Maverick :) the entire score was created by M83, an incredible band that Kosinski actually listened to while conceptualizing the film. This movie has action, intrigue, and a certain melancholy to it that’s simply beautiful. The behind-the-scenes of this movie are by far some of the most interesting ever: Kosinski was originally going to create a graphic novel, and the illustrations ended up becoming concept art for the movie. It is one of the most visually beautiful movies I’ve ever seen. Like Edge of Tomorrow, they made this film as practical as possible and used as little cgi as they could. They actually created entirely new technology for this movie: the characters live in a home up in the sky, and the sky isn’t green screen. Just trust me, watch this movie and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll want to watch the behind the scenes because it’s mind-blowing. Also, it’s a story about humanity vs technology and I’m a sucker for that type of thing, and based on your reaction to Last Samurai I think you guys probably are too. Can’t recommend it enough. Minority Report: surprise, it’s another sci-fi :) this is a movie Tom made with Steven Spielberg, and it’s kind of been forgotten over time. It’s got insanely cool concepts, dealing with free will and the surveillance state. It really was prophetic - a lot of the technologies in this movie have become real, like facial recognition, preemptive crime control, heck this movie even inspired the creation of the iPad. It’s got lots of twists and turns so the story keeps you guessing, it has some humor, a great cast, and some emotional moments. Just a solid movie all around. Collateral: this movie is alllllllll Michael Mann, baby. If you haven’t seen this movie or Heat… you need to watch them ASAP. Nobody does action and weaponry like Mann. Tom Cruise plays an insanely good villain in this, and he went through very serious training - there’s lots of info about/videos of his training online, and it’s really fascinating. For The Last Samurai he spent a year training with a sword - the dude gives it his all, and it’s why he looks so legit onscreen. His character in this film is basically John Wick wayyyy before John Wick was a thing, only he’s a villain. This movie is a perfect example of how dedicated Cruise is. It’s one of his best roles in terms of acting. He’s badass, terrifying, and tragic. Ok, those are the main suggestions, but honestly most of his filmography is top-notch. The first Jack Reacher movie is smart, witty, and dark, with the bathroom fight scene calling back to old-school physical comedy and the car chase being entirely real (Tom did his own driving also) and putting other car chases to shame. Obviously the Mission Impossible movies - yes, they have some of the greatest action scenes ever put to film, yes Tom does all his own stunts including the driving, but also they are well-crafted character films with great storylines, heartfelt moments, and humor. Magnolia is a tough movie to watch, but Tom gives easily one of his best performances. Even in Rock of Ages, which is not a great movie, Tom Cruise absolutely kills it. You’d probably get a kick out watching him in that movie. He treated singing the same way he treats fight scenes - he trained for a long time with Axl Rose’s vocal coach, and his version of Pour Some Sugar on Me even impressed the members of Def Leppard. He really pulls off an aging rockstar and is a very bright star in an otherwise very mediocre film. I could go on and on, but I’ll leave it there. Im so glad I discovered your channel, I loved watching this reaction and have spent the past few hours binging your videos! Looking forward to your future reactions. Stay awesome :)
What I love about this movie is how respectful towards the Japanese cast it is, they get so much limelight. Actual historical accuracy wise the Samurai were actually totally on board with using guns, same as European knights and men at arms started doing, but the movie is just so good that it can be put aside for the sake of story. I do especially love the wabi-sabi concept when Katsumoto says all the blossoms are perfect. Each one is imperfect, and that imperfection makes every single blossom unique and therefore perfect.
Always enjoy your reactions and insights. As someone who has watched inaccurate and weird movies about my culture made(Iran) , I always check movies I watch to make sure if they are fictional or not and The Last Samurai's premise is historically more accurate than most movies. It’s one of my favorite movies and I’m glad you watched it. Thanks
This is one of my favourites, I always rewatch it whenever I am feeling low. Brilliant brilliant in every way. Some more reccos since you loved this: Memoirs of a Geisha Hidalgo Duma Real Steel Queen of Katwe
Great pick and I loved your reactions as always. This is probably my top favorite movie starring Tom Cruise. Everything about it is beautifully done -even the soundtrack is brilliant.
In case this wasn't clear: Captain Algren isn't actually the last samurai. The last samurai is Katsumoto, this is his story, which is only revealed at the very end when Algren tells the emperor "I will tell you how he lived." Absolutely beautiful film!
Yes, Samurai can also be taken to be the plural form, as in the story is the end of the Samurai as a whole, people who think this is a white savior movie haven’t seen it
I wasnt surprised that these guys thought Tom Cruise`s charachter was the last samurai after watching a few other of theire reactions. But still believe that was the fact even after they watched the movie was a surprise even for theire standard :)
I've always taken it as the plural form. It would not surprise me if they left it ambiguous intentionally.
@@bamflyer yeah I always perceived it this way. It’s depicting the end of a way of life.
@@bamflyer So if there is no element of white saviour, why do you think they made it into the "noble savage" thing of Samurai refusing to use gunpowder which was completely and utterly false?
One of my friends who saw this at the time made an observation that stuck with me. The honored the traditions of both American and Japanese action movies. The American main character survived everything, and the Japanese main characters all had good deaths.
That really is interesting... true.
In these movies, Americans have some good deaths and lives as well in movies and history as well.
@@rastiga9196 Absolutely. But for the most part, whoever the star is in American movies, will survive anything (outside of a token death to help motivate everyone else and bring a sprinkling of sadness in to make the happy ending hit stronger).
Algren had to survive, for the superb low key love story...a favourite aspect of this great film for me.
@@philproffitt8363 I am not making any value judgements with my statement about any particular survival or death and the impact it had in the overall story, just that it happened.
(As a quick and mostly agreeing with you side note, I both enjoyed the low key love story and am good with him surviving to deliver the sword, but I don't think the love story would have suffered with his death, it would have just removed the happy ending aspect of it)
Bob is the embodiment of the saying:
"Beware the Old Man, in a profession where most die young"
When the samurai emerge from the fog charging on horseback, it still gives me chills every time I watch this movie.
With the music. Amazing
And not covered in this reaction....first one I’ve seen miss that.
Reminds me of a scene in an old Tom berenger film called last of the dogmen,him and an archeology professor go looking for Indians who long since died out.,doesn't sound great but it is.
agreed.. everytime
"From the moment they wake, they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever it is they pursue. I have never seen such discipline."
One of my favorite movie quotes of all time. This movie was so good.
Always try to live like that.
Me too. I think of this line often when trying to learn new skills or hobbies. I definitely lack the discipline of people(s) from the past lol. Even with things like UA-cam
"I believe a man will do what he can until his destiny is revealed". One of my favourites of all time. Thanks for reacting to this ❤️
“They’re ALL perfect..”
Love that quote. I do what I can. We all do hey?
@@patinho5589 the ending lines are perfection, the best
This movie was incredible. Visually stunning and Tom Cruise was perfect in this role which was a pleasant surprise. I always cry during the final battle especially when the petals start falling…
"Perfect... They are all... perfect..." 😢
Only the final scenes, you disappointment me, i don't wanna imagine what it's like for your parents 😢
For me, it's when Algren apologizes to Taka, and she forgives him.
It's a fantastic movie. Tom Cruise at his absolute best and the dedication he has to learning new skills for a movie role really shows. Those battle scenes are awesome. Everyone was perfectly cast in their roles and the acting was superb by everyone. I watched one reaction where the reactor said, "He can't die...he's Tom Cruise".... LOL clearly they haven't seen Edge of Tomorrow - yet another amazing film of his.
"Tell me how he died"
"I'll tell you how he lived"
I watched this movie years ago. Those lines stuck in my head until now.
One of the greatest movies of all time. Hans Zimmer created the score and as always absolutely incredible. This movie, legends of the fall, braveheart and the last of the mohicans are a must see in life. Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives!
Holy shit, that is Hans Zimmer!
I'm sure the film wouldn't be as emotional or impactful if it didn't have that exact same soundtrack. Hans Zimmer is my favorite film composer and this film is one of my favorites of all time, I never get tired of rewatching it and I often miss it. I feel the need to come back to it every now and then because it gives me the same feeling that the main character has at the end, a small measure of peace...🙃
Not only Tom Cruise's best film, but one of my favorite movies of all time. Nathan Algren finally found a life that allowed him to display the honor and integrity he possessed. Imagine being a soldier and having to follow orders given by a morally bankrupt "superior" officer. Every time Nathan killed an unarmed person it took a piece of his soul because he had integrity and honor, and he knew how wrong it was. He hated himself for not standing up for what was right...until he met the Samurai. A stunningly beautiful story! As many times as I've seen it, it still makes me cry.
This is my favorite Tom Cruise movie. The story and the casting makes this such an iconic film.
Katsumoto's last words have a double meaning. Even in the era of change from the samurai era to the westernization, he sticks to his own way of life and beliefs as a samurai, dying beautifully in battle, and the falling cherry blossoms that have grown splendidly over the years.
From Japan
In the end when Katsumoto says "They are all perfect" I believe he finally comes to the understanding that all of the blossoms are perfect, even with their flaws they are as they are meant to be.
Wow... I'm so glad you guys did reaction on this one. It's my favorite movie of all time, nothing gets close! I can watch it 1000 times with same emotions every time. Masterpiece!
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To take it a little further, the banner that Nathan is using to fight them all has a white tiger on it
Katsumoto saw it as a sign, an omen. Of what he couldn't be sure. Thus, the "conversations."
the scene when ujio swings his sword at algren and stops less than an inch away was a legit move he showed the director for how precise he could be . they included it for him.
That's the type of stunt I somehow know Tom Cruise would approve of due to stories of how committed he is to his roles. So much respect to both, the skill and the trust and commitment.
I'm sure he could do it, but it couldn't have been that dangerous because he wouldn't be using a real sword
@@darkphoenix2 you never know with Tom Cruise. In Mission impossible 2, where a guy tries to stab him in the eye and stops milimeters away from his eye, was apparently done using some kind of device and using a real blade.
@@povilasmarveloustv3810 that some kind of device was literally just rope tied to the knife to stop it dead at a certain length
@@markw4613 i heard rope as well, but i'm skeptical of that. 1st, the knife is way to stable. if it was attached to a rope then i'd expect it to move around more once it dropped. 2nd, there's no bounce when the knife drops.
edit: ok, so before i sent the reply i thought i'll google more about the stunt. Turns out, the knife was attached to a steel cable and the villain in the movie was actually trying to stab Tom Cruise, using all his strength but the cable attached to the blade wouldn't allow it to reach Tom. Now it explains why the blade wasnt moving around once it dropped and why there was no bounce. Nuts.
While not historically accurate, this is still one of my favorites. The heart and soul of the story is there, and it's so well made.
This is a story being told by Graham, not a history book. So it would make sense he doesn't get everything right, especially in that time period.
@Timed Revolver but what it gets wrong is who the samurai actually were. Specifically they were the Japanese equivalent of European knights who sure, could be honorable, but they lived for the money. They used their skills to serve the aristocracy and had many privileges in society but by the late 1800s Japan wanted to become a modern country. So instead of relying on expensive samurai, the government could train a peasant who earlier could never compete with a skilled samurai and make them into a professional soldier trained by western officers. The samurai saw their status fading away and so rebelled but it wasn't because they refused to modernize like the movie portrays. It was because they knew thet were becoming obsolete and some evem used firearms
@@Spongebrain97 ...It's fictional, not biographical.
If the movie passed itself off as a true retelling, then I'd get the criticism. But it didn't.
You sound like the person who gets mad because no human could actually be Batman.
@@MrNewVegas2281 Wow, somebody has no reading comprehension at all.
My first comment wasn't hostile in any way. I was just explaining why the tale told in the film was historically inaccurate.
My second comment was to some jackass who felt the need to try 'owning' me by running their mouth and showing they're an idiot.
This comment is in response to someone who had no point to make, but felt they should interject anyway because, damn it, they want to be heard for no reason.
American officer was also an inaccuracy. The actual outsider was a French officer.
This movie is SO beautiful. And the Hans Zimmer score is next level.
WOW! Did not expect this film to be this dang good. What was your reaction? What would you rate this film? One of Tom Cruise's best?
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Won't say best cause cruise has one of the best filmography of all time. Collateral, Jerry Maguire, magnolia, few good men, rain man, born on the fourth of July etc many movies of his are top notch
Anyone tell y’all what the significance of one white glove was? Don’t see it.
Also, I don’t think any of y’all caught the white tiger connection (the intro dream and the flag). That’s what Kat’mo was thinking about when he first saw him.
If u like this Film, u can like "memoir of a Geisha" too. I love both Films so much.
Katsumoto= The last Samurai.
"They are all perfect."
...I'm not crying! YOU'RE crying!
"Letters from Iwo Jima" is a great movie with Ken Watanabe, directed by Clint Eastwood and companion piece to "Flags of Our Fathers"
as grown man i will happily say that i cry to this movie everytime
Such a beautiful expression of the Japanese culture. Honestly, this is one of my favorite movies.
Fun fact: The Last Samurai did better in Japan than it did in the US. Proof that even fiction can embrace the ideals and beliefs of the culture portrayed with respect and reverence.
Similarly, Ghost of Tsushima was a videogame which was mostly well received but had a wave of complaints about cultural appropriation in USA and Europe while being the biggest-selling game in Japan and having several reviews from Japanese media saying it's the most Japanese game ever made. Which is a fair trade since the most American game ever made is Metal Wolf Chaos, which was made in Japan but never released in the West (until the remake which unfortunately wasn't as good as the original).
@@a-blivvy-yusBoth times, the politically correct showed that they have no idea what they're talking about and are only pretending to be virtuous for the sake of appearances.
The moment they beat the ninjas and have that roar of victory, you can feel that in your bones; I loved it!
This was by far my favorite Tom Cruise film. This film was shot so beautifully. I cry every single time I watch it. Loved y'alls reactions!
This movie is out of this world, the first time i watched i cried sooooo damn much. It's just a masterpiece, so beautiful. I wish more people gave the right appreciation this movie actually deserves!
A most wonderful film, beautifully done, amazing story, beautiful. Thanks for reviewing The Last Samurai. Definately one of my absolute faves.
You know it's gonna be a banger when Hanz Zimmer is doing the score, pretty sure this was his 100th score
Hell yes!
Yet another movie that was totally filmed in New Zealand. NZ was chosen not just for the scenery but also for the Mountain that looks just like Mt Fuji. Plus, the country has a lot of experience with local filming having done the LOTRs and Avatar movies here. Tom enjoyed his stay in New Zealand. Cheers.
Awesome reaction guys , Bad Medicine is our medicine for bad moods 😀
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One important point lost on a lot of people is that the cutting of Nobutada’s topknot in the market is a form of symbolic castration; a way of saying “you weren’t strong or skilled or virile enough to stop me. I let you live because you aren’t worthy of a warrior’s death.”
Several period films play with the social ramifications of this disgrace more. I recommend ‘Hara-Kiri: The Death of a Samurai’ in particular.
Such wonderful reactions to this beautiful and deep movie.
Everybody I know loves this masterpiece.
Whenever I think of the fact that Japan functions under the American Constitution, although its traditions and culture couldn`t be more different from the American ones, it always bends my mind.
Just woke up here in Sydney Australia and am soooo excited to settle in with a coffee and watch this. One of my all time favourite movies and you guys have been just hitting it out of the park with your reactions. I'm a busy mum of two who struggles with anxiety and your videos are the way I choose to spend my downtime! Thanks guys!
Opposite for me, it's late night where I am and I am going to watch this before I sleep.
Good luck in your life, everything is going to be fine👍😊
Hey fellow Sydneysider!
Glad we are able to help out! 😁🤙🤙
so basically this movie is based off the true events of the civil war between Samurai and the imperial japan (not 100% accurate since the US weren't involved yet), Japan was undergoing major cultural changes during this time period (mostly because of influences from western countries like France and the relationship with the Dutch, not so much the US right now), In the span of a decade, rebels fought to retain the old way of life (also samurai for hundreds to thousands of years were the ultimate power and military leaders of Japan, up until Japan started to adapt to form a western type of military and more western constitution, the war really took off after the new laws that banned people from wearing a katana sword in public among other things, this forced samurai to adapt causing the cultural to come to an end
Wow! I watched this film last night, because I know the films you guys title this way are always phenomenal, and I was blown away. I had to immediately watch your reactions to it. I cannot believe that I went my whole life without watching this film. An absolute masterpiece! Thank you everyone who recommended them to watch it, because you help me discover this film, and already I can say it’s one of my favourite films that I’ve ever seen!
Thank you Justin and we'll said here! We still can't believe we didn't see this until now either. So we are right there with you. 🤘
That's my favorite "romance" or rather growing appreciation and forgiveness story in movies. Very subtle and tactful. And that kiss in my mind is more like farewell and gratefulness for going into battle to surely die for her land , culture and children.
I remembered when this movie came out. I was in college taking a Japanese language course. My professor encouraged the class to watch this movie. It was and still is a great movie. Thank you for the review/reaction.
The acting in this movie is great.. Everyone is great but the stand out is Ken Watanabe. His masterful acting is one of the most powerful and unforgettable performances I've ever seen in a film. It earned him an Oscar nomination..
I loved Tim Robbins in Mystic River (who won the Oscar that year) but man, Watanabe easily could have won. He's beyond incredible in this film. He lives that character.
Already watched it 2 times with you guys on Patreon. Still can't get enough of this movie. Definitely a Masterpiece!! Jolly Good❤
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I love this one! Tears flow every damn time!
I like the romance in this movie! We don't know if her former husband was a good man, he was probably not very loving with his kids and such, which is probably pretty normal in this setting, but Algren shows that he's different, and it's probably endearing to her. Plus they spent like 6 months together before that kiss happens, which is a big plus in my eyes. At least it cannot be called rushed. I would not have minded if it stopped at them giving each other looks, either, but a lot of movies just put a random romance in to check a box, without complexity and without doing anything to make it believable.
I never considered that Taka’s spouse was possibly not a sweet, loving dad and husband. I agree with you. That is a possibility! Which may be one factor she, in time, learned to like Algren.
As Nathan himself observed while living among them, those people are almost always formal, serious, stoic, super polite, and that they avoid expressing too much emotions and feelings. So, assuming Hirotaro was possibly not a sweet dad is not that unreasonable.
Thanks for the insight!
A phenomenal movie I had the pleasure of seeing right out of high school. Had a huge impact on my viewpoints of what I wanted to study in college, history being my topic of interest. I know not everything was actually correct in this film historically, but man, was it inspiring none the less. Great reaction guys, can't wait to see more movies like this on your channel with historical topics.
The music by Hans Zimmer gives me chills all the time, sometimes I cry. Loved your reaction, thanks for sharing it with us.
Absolutely love this movie. Great choice and great analysis
Last Samurai is a Classic. A true masterpiece and my fav Tom Cruise film. The Acting, Story, and Music were the best of the best.
I watched this movie in theater and it moved me deeply, foundet my fascination with japanese culture and a big interest in sword fencing. Took me nearly twenty years to try it, though, and against medical advice, but I try the best I can and I take this Determination and the philosophy to fight through a long dark time in my life.
In retroperpective I dare to say, that subconciously this movie influenced a whole lot of my life.
Y'all killin the reactions! This is one of my fave Tom Cruise films. Ken Watanabe (Wah-Tah-Na-Be). He's one of my favorite actors.
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The acting is so good. That stare when your prisoner of war has not only acquired a weapon, could have escaped in the chaos, but had your back in a fight.
Omg i love this movie, its epic. This is another one I've watched over and over. I dont understand people that hate Tom Cruise movies
The key thing about the scene where Algren is getting beaten down by Ujiro with the bokken in the rain is that they all realize that he absolutely will not stop fighting until he is incapable of doing so or he dies. This is the moment where Ujiro begins to respect him, as shown by the fact that he tosses Algren's bokken to the boy at the end so he cannot pick it up again, instead of leaving it on the ground in contempt like he had previously.
I've seen this movie over a dozen times and it just occurred to me how difficult it would be to corral all of those terrified horses after the battle scenes were shot.
Great reaction by the way.
My first time of seeing Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Hiroyuki Sanada etc. Marvelous movie with the most beautiful music, stunning sets and truly adrenaline pumping fight scenes. Absolutely marvelous 5/5 historical dramatization 😁❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍
I LOVED that you did this movie. So many beautiful messages. Too many mind!! How that message keeps me in my own life. Fabulous reaction!! I own it. The culture and honor. So much respect to you guys to feel this movie.
Not only does Algren show that they aren't ready by getting shot at, he is also willing to die at the spot to end his suffering.
This movie is so amazing on so many levels.
The war cry after they defeated the ninja attack gives me chills everytime. So god.
i also love you respect you felt for the honr the soldier s on he attlefiled had for katumoto!
this movie is so well done. its beautiful and heartbreaking. the action is wwell done,t he acting is good, the scenes are beautifully shot, the story is really good on so many levels. it really is pretty flawless.
You guys should check out some other movies with Ken Watanabe. He's really a terrific actor in every right.
This film always hits me hard. Sure they took some liberties with the history here (There were instances of Samurai wielding guns for a long time before the Meiji restoration), but overall the story is just phenomenal. The setting, the action, the characters. Just all so great. The music especially, one of cinema's finest scores.
"I will tell you how he lived", god what a good line!
Re watch this each year with my buddies and that ending still gets a tear out of us. Side note we always felt the "last Samurai" title philosophically was never referring to Tom Cruise's character but us as the audience were seeing the last of the Samurai through Tom's eyes essentially.
This is truly one of my favourite films with Tom in. A superbly told story which shows the honour and tradition so well , although there were mixed feelings of the true historical relevance from many Japanese. Although Katsumoto was fictional there are links to Saigõ Takamori who was a Samurai under the Meiji Restoration. I think Ken and Hiroyuki performances are astounding. For more Samurai amazing films with Hiroyuki , watch The Twilight Samurai and also Legend of Eight Samurai. The Twilght Samurai won 38 awards including 12 Japan Academy Awards.
Oh wow wasn't expecting this at all but I'm so glad you guys chose it. Everything about this Movie is beautiful. From the scenery, to the music and the actors performances. Loved it😍
this movie is so close to perfect it's crazy. it never gets old.
The fact that Tom was not nominated for an Oscar for this is disgusting.
The one glove thing is so that he may touch commoners (such as placing a hand on the shoulder of an advisor) and things commoners have touched (such as the vessel from which he drinks after a servant has delivered it) without being despoiled. He is a Living God and above physical connection with mere mortals. The Living God is so pure that the act of touching his flesh is believed to be able to taint his purity and could carry a death sentence. (edit:was thining of other movie LUL)
edit: Check out The Last Emperor sometime, one of the most beautiful films on SO many levels EVER made in cinematic History.....you'll thank me after watching it, and you're welcome😁
I love that you guys hear general custar and that he was a great man and are astounded. then when Ulgrin sayys he was a POS man looking after his own glory not to much to say.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Thanks for your guys’ genuine reactions and review. I’m glad you all got to experience this phenomenal film. As a suggestion I think you should watch the movie “Hidalgo” with Viggo Mortensen. It’s a great film that also has subtext around Native American heritage. Anyways, great video and I can’t wait for your next one!
LOVE this movie! Thanks for the great reaction. Making me want to go back and watch it again. ❤
If you like this movie then I'm sure you all will enjoy The 13th Warrior starring Antonio Banderas. Do yourselves a favor and watch it with subtitles because you may miss some things without them. It's based on a Michael Chriton book called "Eaters of the Dead" and explores Viking culture up close and personal. I was fortunate enough to see it in the theater for the first time and I went back 3 more times because I was just so absorbed... My friends tell me it's a "guys movie" so I'm hoping you all will appreciate it as much as I do. Needless to say, I own this one for sure.... and if you like that then try watching The Boondock Saints (the first one)..... Thanks for sharing and keep the reactions coming.
I have watched this movie countless times I cry every time imo this is the best movie Tom Cruise has done and believe me I love Tom Cruise great reaction guys
This is definitely a movie that I can watch over and over again. It's visually stunning and the action and acting are on point. My favorite Tom Cruise movie!
This film was criminally underrated at the time it was released.
Tom Cruise spent 2 years learning Japanese and iaido (japanese swordsmanship) before the start of filming.
Great reaction to a fantastic movie one of my top 10 of historical period movies including The Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, Braveheart, Rob Roy and tv shows like Rome, The Tudors, Medici, The Borgias, and Versailles as examples. 😊
This is a great movie that I have not watched for a long time now. The visuals and the emotions of this movie are incredible. It was fun watching you guys with the emotional investment. Great reaction.
This film is such a blast. When he endears himself to the family, and created relationships with all the people in the village... Brilliantly written, and I'm still enjoying my own search for the perfect blossom...
I've been to Japan and you can really feel their culture pretty much every where you go. That adage of 'the nail that sticks it's head up gets hammered down' seems to hold true. Weariness of outsiders, playing it safe, being polite out of fear of making a social blunder, that kind of thing are pretty common. There's definitely some negatives to that. A lot probably don't get the mental health care they need, and there's a lot of pressure. But it's nice, too. Even in rush hour nobody lays on their horn, people come and go and pass almost without incident even in a city of 8 million like Tokyo, and the crime is very very low. It's interesting to see in person. The Samurai were probably too much to bear after a while for the Japanese though. People were in deed scared to death of them. They could terrorize who they wanted, when they wanted. It was probably a huge relief when they were gone.
Japan is a beautiful country but as you said it has it's negatives, as does every country. I've heard that there is quite a bit racism going on in Japan and while some weariness of outsiders isn't always necessarily a bad thing but like all cultures there is some issues that can use some ironing out. However, the respect that the Japanese can give people including outsiders is fantastic and should be incorporated in all countries, hopefully.
@@evansutcliffe1099 Yeah it is a beautiful place. And unique. And ultimately you don't want to encroach too much on what makes the country special. Just hope there can be a respectful exchange. Which there usually is, as long as you're polite.
@@ct6852 as should be the standard for any country, which im happy to be grateful and appreciative of if or when i do go. just out of curiosity, what are some other countries, if any, that you would visit?
@@evansutcliffe1099 I think if I could choose on more big trip for the rest of my life it would probably be Italy/Rome. Then Costa Rica. UK maybe. Germany. South Africa? I donno there's a lot of places I'd like to see. Can't really afford it, though.
Last samurai imo best movie with Tom, this movie have soul, proud, honor, that so rare in this days in movies.
I absolutely love this movie! I don't think I'm the only one here who would love living in that japanese village. There's so many powerful and perfect scenes I don't know where to start. But scenes that really piss me off, scenes that are strong and scenes that are movingly beautiful... and with an amazing soundtrack that is always there.
Even if I've seen the movie several times, it get's me emotional every time.
This movie is on my list of all-time favorites for pure emotion. It's up there with movies like "What Dreams May Come" and "Secret Life of Walter Mitty" as some of the most tear-jerking content ever put on film. Fantastic watch and, as always, another fantastic react by one of my favorite teams on the Tube.
I first watched The Last Samurai expecting to dislike it. Tom Cruise as the last samurai? I’ve watched it many times since it was released. It’s beautiful, with Tom Cruise playing a character who is witness to the last samurai. 10/10.
I adore this movie. It's a tradition to watch it with my Dad at this point, and we have the best time every time. This and Collateral are my favorite Tom Cruise movies by a lot. Granted, I haven't seen many of his movies. But it's no contest for me.
I cry from start to finish. Actually from just the menu music on the dvd before the start.
I'm so glad you guys all lived in a bubble and never saw this movie. One of my favorites.
First time I saw this movie remember me Dances with wolves. It's so beautiful and visually stunning
I’ve never understood why people immediately assume Tom Cruise is the last Samurai. Just because he’s in it. You just don’t know a story until it’s revealed. Katsumoto was the last of the Samurai.
Great reaction as always guys! Such a powerful and emotional movie for me, I love it!
One of my favourite movies & definitely my favourite Tom Cruise movie. I could watch Algren & Katsumoto have several films worth of conversations.
I don’t know if you realized it while watching the movie and just edited it out, but the reason why Katsumoto was staring at Algren in that first battle was because of the vision he had. He had a vision of his warriors fighting a white tiger. And during that first battle when Algren wouldn’t give up even though he was surrounded and beaten down several times, he was using a flag and it’s staff to continue fighting, the flag had a white tiger on it. So he was watching so intently because that was his vision coming true. Phenomenal movie, great reactions! 💙💙💙
The way the gatling gun scene at the end is shot is amazing. Building music during their charge towards the hill and then as the gatling guns begin to fire the music just cuts out and you're left with the sounds of the guns and the carnage they are enacting with the music returning as everyone falls.
One of my favourite movies ever tbh. So glad you did a reaction on it. And even happier that you enjoyed it so much
This was de first 'grown up' movie I saw. My dad took me to the theathers when I was like 12. It impressed me a lot and this movie will always have a special place in my heart. It is just soo good. I can't watch it without crying. The music also is amazing..
Yeah people tend to be bothered because the think Tom is the last samurai , he’s not . Samurai is the plural of Samurai. It’s about them .
Ken Watanabe got Oscar nominated for this, his first American movie - amazing !!! And so deserved. Ujo is great, too. Algren vs. five guys in slow mo is zoweeee!
one of my all time favorites! id love for you guys to check out 300 or 1917 soon!!
2 years later still waiting for 1917 !! lol
GUYS. Firstly, LOVE this reaction. I too underestimated this movie, and had my mind blown the first time I watched it. It is high up on my list of favorites.
Second, there are so many other Tom Cruise movies that you must watch! He’s made so many incredible films that have been somewhat forgotten or flown under the radar. Here’s my top suggestions:
Edge of Tomorrow. This movie kicks ASS. Seriously, it is one of the best sci-fi movies of all time. The marketing totally screwed over the movie and it underperformed at the box office, but it’s gained so much popularity over the years simply from great word-of-mouth. Emily Blunt co-stars, and Bill Paxton has a small role that’s very reminiscent of Hudson from Aliens. The movie has very little cgi - the battle scenes are real, the super heavy battle suits they wear are real… it’s legit. It’s hilarious, it’s badass, it’s heartfelt, it honestly has everything you could want in a movie. Also, a killer score that perfectly fits and elevates the whole thing. Seriously, if you haven’t already seen it, watch it ASAP.
Oblivion: this is another sci-fi movie that’s been underrated, but hasn’t gained popularity over time in the same way that Edge of Tomorrow has - and it’s a shame, because while it’s not as great as EOT, it’s still fantastic. It was directed by Joe Kosinski, who also directed Top Gun Maverick :) the entire score was created by M83, an incredible band that Kosinski actually listened to while conceptualizing the film. This movie has action, intrigue, and a certain melancholy to it that’s simply beautiful. The behind-the-scenes of this movie are by far some of the most interesting ever: Kosinski was originally going to create a graphic novel, and the illustrations ended up becoming concept art for the movie. It is one of the most visually beautiful movies I’ve ever seen. Like Edge of Tomorrow, they made this film as practical as possible and used as little cgi as they could. They actually created entirely new technology for this movie: the characters live in a home up in the sky, and the sky isn’t green screen. Just trust me, watch this movie and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll want to watch the behind the scenes because it’s mind-blowing. Also, it’s a story about humanity vs technology and I’m a sucker for that type of thing, and based on your reaction to Last Samurai I think you guys probably are too. Can’t recommend it enough.
Minority Report: surprise, it’s another sci-fi :) this is a movie Tom made with Steven Spielberg, and it’s kind of been forgotten over time. It’s got insanely cool concepts, dealing with free will and the surveillance state. It really was prophetic - a lot of the technologies in this movie have become real, like facial recognition, preemptive crime control, heck this movie even inspired the creation of the iPad. It’s got lots of twists and turns so the story keeps you guessing, it has some humor, a great cast, and some emotional moments. Just a solid movie all around.
Collateral: this movie is alllllllll Michael Mann, baby. If you haven’t seen this movie or Heat… you need to watch them ASAP. Nobody does action and weaponry like Mann. Tom Cruise plays an insanely good villain in this, and he went through very serious training - there’s lots of info about/videos of his training online, and it’s really fascinating. For The Last Samurai he spent a year training with a sword - the dude gives it his all, and it’s why he looks so legit onscreen. His character in this film is basically John Wick wayyyy before John Wick was a thing, only he’s a villain. This movie is a perfect example of how dedicated Cruise is. It’s one of his best roles in terms of acting. He’s badass, terrifying, and tragic.
Ok, those are the main suggestions, but honestly most of his filmography is top-notch. The first Jack Reacher movie is smart, witty, and dark, with the bathroom fight scene calling back to old-school physical comedy and the car chase being entirely real (Tom did his own driving also) and putting other car chases to shame. Obviously the Mission Impossible movies - yes, they have some of the greatest action scenes ever put to film, yes Tom does all his own stunts including the driving, but also they are well-crafted character films with great storylines, heartfelt moments, and humor. Magnolia is a tough movie to watch, but Tom gives easily one of his best performances. Even in Rock of Ages, which is not a great movie, Tom Cruise absolutely kills it. You’d probably get a kick out watching him in that movie. He treated singing the same way he treats fight scenes - he trained for a long time with Axl Rose’s vocal coach, and his version of Pour Some Sugar on Me even impressed the members of Def Leppard. He really pulls off an aging rockstar and is a very bright star in an otherwise very mediocre film. I could go on and on, but I’ll leave it there.
Im so glad I discovered your channel, I loved watching this reaction and have spent the past few hours binging your videos! Looking forward to your future reactions. Stay awesome :)
Glad you gave us chance 🤙
I will add Born on the Fourth of July which I believe is a pretty solid contender to this movie for Tom's best dramatic performance.
I really really enjoyed the after movie discussion. Even when they survive battle, soldiers have a lot more residual struggle to deal with.
What I love about this movie is how respectful towards the Japanese cast it is, they get so much limelight.
Actual historical accuracy wise the Samurai were actually totally on board with using guns, same as European knights and men at arms started doing, but the movie is just so good that it can be put aside for the sake of story.
I do especially love the wabi-sabi concept when Katsumoto says all the blossoms are perfect. Each one is imperfect, and that imperfection makes every single blossom unique and therefore perfect.
Always enjoy your reactions and insights. As someone who has watched inaccurate and weird movies about my culture made(Iran) , I always check movies I watch to make sure if they are fictional or not and The Last Samurai's premise is historically more accurate than most movies. It’s one of my favorite movies and I’m glad you watched it. Thanks
This is one of my favourites, I always rewatch it whenever I am feeling low. Brilliant brilliant in every way.
Some more reccos since you loved this:
Memoirs of a Geisha
Hidalgo
Duma
Real Steel
Queen of Katwe
Finally! A reaction for this incredible movie. Thanks guys
Great pick and I loved your reactions as always. This is probably my top favorite movie starring Tom Cruise. Everything about it is beautifully done -even the soundtrack is brilliant.
The last samurai is one of my all time favourite movies.
I am glad you noticed that the Emperor took off his gloves when he received Katsumoto's sword.