Can't say enough about this movie. Loved it.
Really showed a group of people who share the same values and beliefs I do. Can't remember the last English-language movie that nailed the Bushido philosophy this well. Cast was solid. Tom Cruise was fine as Captain Nathan Algren, sure. But the Japanese actors? They were the real stars here.
Ken Watanabe. Perfect as Katsumoto. That voice. Just right for the peaceful samurai leader. And his facial expressions throughout the whole film? Incredible.
Hiroyuki Sanada was my favorite though. Played the elite warrior Ujio. Sanada's one of Japan's biggest actors, recently did a Japanese version of Hamlet. His scenes with Cruise are just awesome. Seen this movie three times already and I catch something new every single time.
The Hans Zimmer score is one of the best I've heard in years. "Spectres in the Fog" is particularly moving. Bold and strong, kind of like Gladiator, but with these moments of real sadness woven in. Fits the subject perfectly.
Already bought the soundtrack. DVD's next.