Despite some impressive fight sequences and a genuinely good storyline I was left feeling something was missing. Perhaps it's timing was bad, given that this was the first film I'd seen this year since Return of the King. Or maybe it was just because I had not found the trailer to be that interesting.

Cruise, who stars and I believe directs this film does do a good job mingling a coherent storyline in which his character, a survivor of General Custer's army is sent to Japan to teach the locals to fight western style, only to learn a thing or two himself.

There are plenty of gory action sequences but unlike some other films they actually get to you. These people could actually be real ... these people aren't orcs, they are people. It seems very much like a pointless war, both sides are fighting for the same person.

There is, however, a long period of time spent with the natives, learning the skills and learning to love their community. This part of the movie is pretty slow paced and quite frankly I lost interest.

So, in conclusion, I enjoyed the film and would reccomend people seeing it but I have no desire to see it again.

see also:
Inception, The Dark Knight, Casino Royale, Mission Impossible III

User rating: 4 (1 votes) [rate this movie]
photo © Warner Brothers.