Last Samurai Review
Below is one of our free research papers on Last Samurai Review. If the term paper below is not exactly what you're looking for, you can search our essay database for other topics or order a custom essay.
Last Samurai Review
The Last Samurai
Summary of plot
Set in Japan during the 1870s, The Last Samurai tells the story of Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a respected American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai warriors in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly government policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced by his encounters with the Samurai, which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his own sense of honor to guide him.
Theme
One of the core themes found in The Last Samurai is modern ways versus the old ways. An example would be when Capt. Nathan Algren is hired to aid Japan in “modernizing” its armies and to help crush a few rebels who stand by the “old ways”. The rebellious few must go to make way for the modern and technological age. Another theme found in The Last Samurai would be Commercial benefits versus traditions and values. Japanese culture is hugely dominated by honor, dignity, loyalty and principles even up till today’s modern society. In the movie, Emperor Meiji has come across a crossroad whereby he is to decide whether Japan should follow the old ways or to merge the old ways with the new. The new ways are viewed as modernization and will prosper Japan’s economy and place Japan within the same ranks as other modernized western countries but at the cost of values, principles and traditions.