Venue: Odeon, Guildford

Cruise's character Aldren is hired to train the Japanese conscript army to fight against the rebel Samurai: technology making obsolete the old ways.

I was expecting something like Shogun. What I got was an attempted Dances with Wolves set in late 19th Century Japan. Visually the film was impressive. The sword fights and battle sequences were well choreographed and filmed. The actors all performed admirably, but were sadly let down by poor character development. Toll's photography was wonderful and, frankly, saved the film.

Reflection on the plight of aboriginals seemed to be a little forced. Why did the writers feel it necessary to make so many references to the Native Americans? Perhaps they thought it would be easier for the US market to sympathise with Katsumoto's rebels?

This is an unimaginative, but well photographed, action film. A predictable story demonstrating a superficial understanding of the culture and history. If only I'd realised that John Logan was the writer before I forked out cash.