The Last Samurai
	Rated: R
	Runtime: 2hr 24min
	Starring: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, Koyuki, Tony Goldwyn
	MFG Rating: 4/5

The Last Samurai is one of those movies that we were really kind of dreading have to watch, but we left the theater pleasantly surprised. Because of the previews and words like "epic" being tossed around we were afraid. We feared we might spend 2.5 bladder strained hours in an uncomfortable theater seat watching closeups of pained emotional looks on Tom Cruise's face and sweeping landscape shots. This was not the case though, we didn't check our watchs a single time and enjoyed the film.

Set in 1876, Cruise plays Captain Nathan Algren, a Civil War hero who now lives in a whiskey bottle and whores out his fame and skills to make a buck wherever he can. Enter the Japanese. Japan is in the midst of modernizing and westernizing their culture. Not everyone is in favor of this, in particular the Samurai who seek to protect Japan by protecting the old ways. The Emporer hires Algren to train his new modern army in modern fighting styles and put down the Samurai rebellion.

The result is a classic story of struggles and conflict on many levels. Think Braveheart or Dances With Wolves. The scenery and costumes are gorgeous. And the battle sequences are outstanding. And yes, it has an R-rating so things get bloody and violent but without going too over the top.

Unfortunately, we saw this film with a regular public audience, and I was reminded of one of the reasons I hate to see a movie that isn't totally mindless with a crowd. The theater was packed, and wouldn't you know we get a moron right next to us. DVDs and VCRs are breeding a population that doesn't know how to sit down in a theater and quietly enjoy a movie. Our moron of the week was one of these guys that was so proud of his powers of observation that he couldn't resist commenting to the wife constantly. Even in a hushed voice, without the aid of explosions and a heavy metal soundtrack, his voice carries for at least a 6 seat radius. So in a dramatic moment when Tom reachs for his pistol and suddenly realizes he doesn't have it with him, our moron next door just has to say to the wife "he forgot his gun". It should be legal and encouraged for other movie goers to give someone like this guy an atomic wedgie. But I digress...

We're giving The Last Samurai a strong 4 stars. I dont think this will be one of those movies most people will watch over and over again, but it is certainly worth seeing on the big screen if you can get the people in the seat next to you to figure out what the letters STFU mean.

- Billy Bob