Maela Pollen E.

Yema BSTM IV-

9

REFLECTION OF LAST SAMURAI

At the beginning of the film, Nathan Algren's outlook on life was negative. The negativity was due
to the fact he was a veteran from the wars against First Nations in the United States. Algren faced many
problems during this time period ranging from alcoholism to lack of money. He tried to overcome his
money problems by working with arms companies to promote their products. As well, he agreed to help
modernize and train the Japanese Army. During this time, he did not have any sustainable relationships
or connections with people. Algren had a relative sense of purpose, he had fought in many wars gaining
the respect of many people, to the point his previous boss from the army hired him to help train the
Japanese Army. Algren was lost at the beginning of the film. He was a broke, alcoholic veteran, who was
working for an arms company promoting their new products, as seen in the picture. During this event he
moderately becomes out of control and decided to shoot above a crowd.
After being kidnapped by the Samurai Rebels Algren goes through a period of reflection, leading
to his stance on life becoming more positive. He also faces a lot of challenges during this period; living
with people who were once his enemies, and inhabiting a culture he knows nothing about. Algren
successfully deals with these challenges by adapting and learning the ways of the culture, and eventually
becomes to love it. He starts to establish connections with the people such as: Katsumoto, the leader of
the Samurai Rebels, overtime Algren becomes well respected by him. As well he connects with Taka,
who treats his injuries after he was kidnapped. Taka and Algren’s relationship was awkward as Algren
had killed her husband, but he apologized, and after a while they become close. Algren gains a stronger
sense of purpose compared to when he was in the United States, possibly due to his change in
environment and life with the Samurai Rebels. In the movie he is forced to learn and adapt to a new way
of life. He learns to love the ways of this culture. He has become very disciplined, highly respected, and
an important part of the Samurai Rebels.
Algren has a positive outlook on life, and feels a sense of purpose, living the ways of the Samurai
Rebels. He faces many challenges such as the imprisonment of Katsumoto and aiding in his escape.
Another challenge was the battle against the army Algren had originally trained, the Japanese. By this
point of the film he is highly connected with the people around him (Samurai Rebels), especially
Katsumoto, who has gained his trust and respect. Together they lead the Samurai Rebel’s army against
the Japanese. Another strong connection is Taka, they continue to grow closer, to the point Taka allows
Algren to wear her husband’s armor during the battle. Algren has gained a strong sense of purpose in the
Samurai Rebel Army; he is seen as a valuable aspect of the group. At the end of the film he changes the
emperor’s mind on the modernization of the country, gaining the ultimate sense of purpose and respect.
I have learned that the value of life is determined by doing something worth meaning, fighting
for it, and getting up each and every time we fall.

Sometimes a near-death experience can be the one that changes your life
for the better. It's a theory well-explored in "The Last Samurai."
Directed by Edward Zwick and starring Tom Cruise, the film takes place
around the turn of the century, soon after the end of the American Civil
War, as Captain Nathan Algren (Cruise) heads to Japan to help the young
emperor quell his country's civil war. The Western-minded emperor's plans
of modernization are being thwarted by those who pledged to protect him,
the samurai. The Japanese government enlists the help of Algren, his
colleague and enemy Colonel Bagley (Tony Goldwyn) and Algren's old army
commander Zebulon Gant (Billy Connolly) to help educate the Japanese
army in the ways of modern warfare.

Algren, a war hero, has become a nomad, using his fame from the war to
find odd jobs and spending most of his time inside a bottle. He accepts his
current position only for need of money and lack of job. The story is
character-driven, focusing on Algren, which Cruise does a fine job of
portraying.

At one point, in an attempt to convince his commander that the new army is
not yet prepared for battle, Nathan makes himself the rifle's target and
forces the soldier to fire at him. As he yells at the soldier, it's easy to see
that Algren wants the soldier to prove him wrong, hitting his mark and
ending Algren's misery, as much as he wants the soldier to miss and prove
his point. The following day, Algren nearly gets his wish when the battalion
he is commanding - susceptible to attack thanks to inexperience - is overrun
by a group of samurai. Only the interest of Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), the
samurai leader, saves Algren's life.

He is captured and forced to stay with the samurai in their mountain village,
and over the course of the winter begins to change. Katsumoto takes Algren
to his sister's home and allows him to learn the way of life of the samurai.
As he heals, he learns of a culture and life very different from his own,
where honor and respect are held in high regard and where every breath of
life is to be enjoyed. As the nation of Japan moves away from its old ways,
Nathan learns what it is to be a true warrior instead of just a soldier.

Extensive battle scenes and well-choreographed fight scenes make "The Last
Samurai" a match for any martial arts film, but it is more than that. It is a
film about a man - with much regret and little desire to live - finding true
meaning in his life. When Algren tries to convince Katsumoto not to commit
suicide, he begins to see the value of his own life. Zwick and Cruise show a
man at the beginning of the film a world apart from the one left standing at
the end. "The Last Samurai" is a captivating film that combines inspired
acting with a great story to make for a very worthwhile movie going
experience.

Maela Pollen E. Yema BSTM IV-

9

Reflection of The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo it shows us the effect of being innocent and uneducated. It made me
realize the very big importance of education in our lives. If Edmond was educated, maybe he will figure out
that he will be betrayed. Monte Cristo simply brings their deeds to light. In our society today, most of the
people suffer injustice are those who have not educated. Those people can’t fight for their rights because they
don’t have enough knowledge to do it.

He considered his fortune as a gift from God. He used the treasure to punish those people who have
hurt him and made his life miserable. The movie gave me a new perspective of vengeance which is never
meant for self-fulfillment but for the good of everybody. Those who began with jealousy, moved on to
betrayal, then found it easy to commit murder. We don't have to put the justice in our hands, rather ask it from
God and wait patiently because everything happens for a reason just have faith in Him. This story proves that
God always help, guide, and gives what you deserved.
Maela Pollen E. Yema BSTM IV-
9

Reflection of Clash of Titans

Clash of the Titans is a movie that's a remake of a movie based on the myth of the Greek hero Perseus.
Perseus is helpless to save his family from Hades, vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing to lose,
Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus and
unleash hell on earth. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, Perseus and his warriors will only survive
if Perseus accepts his power as a god, defies fate and creates his own destiny.

Perseus so loved his mother and adoptive father that he will never forgive Poseidon for drowning
them and wants nothing to do with gods. People should forget bad things and forgive if they want to be happy.
Everything can happen in life and people should “never say never” as they can be surprised to get to know
what can happen one day. The thing I would like to learn more after having watched the movie is mythology,
as it is obviously based on human life and can bear very important lessons.
There were a lot of occasions were Perseus had his qualities tested. 
During Perseus’ adventures to save his beloved   lover   Andromeda. She was not allowed
any man to marry her because her old husband, Calibus, was cast into a monster. His
mother, Thetis, said if her son could not marry her no man could until a man solved a
puzzle. Everything in this story has cause and effect. The monster and the goddess put
the curse on Andromeda it caused Perseus to try and save her. That caused him to be
heroic. 
Throughout all his adventures the gods gave him items to help him be a hero. Another
cause and effect situation. They sent him an invisible helmet, an all-cutting sword, and a
strong shield. They also sent him an all-knowing owl. All of these items helped him in his
journey. They helped him beat the monsters.
Perseus’ traits were extraordinary. He was extremely brave. He would do things other
supposedly “heroes” would not dare to even think of. He did it because he cared for
others. That truly shows what a hero is. The gods helped Perseus defeat the monsters,
but a lot of it had to come from within Perseus’ heart. The monsters tried to beat
Perseus, but he found the strength to defeat them. 
During Perseus’ adventures he became the epitome of the Greek heroes. He was the all-
around perfect hero. He made me think about what qualities make someone a hero. We
don’t have to cut of Medusa’s head to be heroes. Just by simply helping others. His love
for Andromeda droves him to excessive levels. Levels that nothing else could take him to
besides love.

Don’t be afraid of people who are different

The geni make look like magical freaks made of driftwood , but if you’re injured by Hade’s
poison they can cure you in a cinch with balls of blue fire. Don’t be so quick to judge.
Don’t piss off the higher power
This is pretty straightforward considering the theme of the film is “Damn the Gods” The boasts
of the Andromeda’s mother, the Queen of Argos, that her daughter is more beautiful than
Aphrodite, earns the girl a lunch date with the Kraken and the toppling of Zeus’ statue by
soldiers incurs the wrath of his bro, Hades. Pissing off the gods is generally a bad idea.

To my mind, the most important lesson, which I have learned from the movie, is that
finally love is the main thing in life and the reason for being. This value has not
changed through centuries and is the same in our era. However, many people forget
about it nowadays. People should forget bad things and forgive close people if they
want to be happy. Everything can happen in life and people should “never say never”
as they can be surprised to get to know what can happen one day. The thing I would
like to learn more after having watched the movie is mythology, as it is obviously
based on human life and can bear very important lessons.

Show More

It teaches the audience several important life lessons. At the same time, the fantastic elements are
quite entertaining and interesting. Despite the fact that the movie cannot be labeled as a historical one and is
based on the myths instead of the realistic events, it is essential to point out that myths are reflect real ancient
life. Hence the movie contributes much not only to the morality of people, but to their knowledge about the
past beliefs, traditions and events in Ancient Greece.

Reflection of Beowulf

Bravery, courage, heroism, pride, valor, and honor – that was just some of the themes depicted in the
epic story Beowulf. The epic sees him as a real example of a true hero – valiant, noble, brave and fearless even
of death itself. One of the most significant virtues derived from the code of glory was loyalty. The essence of
bravery was to resist and master fear, for there was no way to cast off fear. The celebrated hero, Beowulf,
understood that there existed something truly important for him to fight, even at the cost of his life. Therefore,
his courage overcame his dread even before developing into shape.

His intention was purely because of his honor, pride and legacy as a real hero to protect his people
since it’s his duty to do so. It also reflects the kind of society the epic was created. When we go through the
rich history of the Anglo-Saxon period, the time could be described as very crucial to those people who live in
small villages since often, they try to fend their places from invaders, thus, stories of heroes with their heroic
deeds are a thing to consider in their literature.

When finally, Beowulf died, he was given a funeral pyre bounded by treasures. The pyre just
symbolizes Beowulf’s heroism and the honor he had during his time. The old king must think best for his
kingdom, and maybe he thought that from the kingdom will come a new great warrior to defend it. His virtue
makes him popular in across his kingdom.

 Nathan Algren is a man riddled with guilt over his part in the slaughter of
innocent women and children during the Indian Wars in America. Clearly in a
state of depression, he bears his suffering and guilt with the aid of liberal
doses of alcohol, and is employed as a celebrity salesman of firearms by
companies who exploit his deeds and fame for their own commercial gain.
However, he must live with his knowledge of the truth compared to their
embellished and sanitized account, cynically churned out to make a profit. He
is something of a lost soul, finding it hard to live with himself, yet accepting
money for this, and then a contract to help quell a rebellion in Japan, but he
sinks ever deeper into self-contempt and depression.

He is hired to help "modernise" Japan's army and help extinguish the remains
of the rebellious few samurai who still stand for the "old ways", and who must
go in order to make way for the more modern and technological age.

Here we are introduced to one of the central themes in the film: The theme of
this movie is Modern versus Old, or even (and perhaps more tellingly)
Commercial Considerations versus Tradition and Values.

Japanese culture and society are portrayed as having been dominated by

honour, principle, loyalty and dignity, but these values are now at odds with
the commercial interests of the main protagonists or instigators (and main
beneficiaries) of this move to modernise Japan, Omura and his family. These
beneficiaries do not necessarily include the Emperor, who does indeed wish
to join the old with the new, but most of all he wants what is best for his
people.

After losing a battle with the samurai "rebels", Algren is taken prisoner by their
leader Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) who is impressed by his courage and
determination. Among his samurai captors, Algren rediscovers a sense of
honour and purpose, and finds a renewed sense of worth and dignity in the
traditions and ways of those he was sent to destroy.

One criticism I found levelled at the film is that once again the "white man"
saves the savages. While it is true that Algren goes on to play an important
part in the uprising, it should be pointed out that Algren was a broken man
when captured, and it is as a result of adopting the ways of his "enemies" that
he is "saved". He helps lead the uprising not because he is a "white man", but
because he is courageous, has become a samurai, and wishes to support his
new-found friends in their cause.

To say that one of the main themes is Modern versus Old is indeed accurate,
but it is also incomplete in that we should consider the potential side-effects of
this modernisation. In this instance, Algren has been dispatched to destroy the
"old" in the shape of the principled and loyal samurai. Why? What purpose is
to be served in doing so? Within the context of the film, Algren's actions are to
advance the commercial prospects of Omura and his family, under the guise
of the modernisation of Japan, a movement which may be impeded or
stopped by the traditional samurai and their influence on the Emperor. Here
we have a return to the theme at the beginning of the film where Algren is
disgusted by those who try to profit from the pain and suffering of others
through crass commercial exploitation. In Japan, Algren finds a focus in
defending age-old tradition and values not so much against modernisation for
its own sake, but against what it can bring with it - the reduction of life and
society to a mere money spinning commercial exercise lacking dignity and
honour.

Another criticism I found is that Algren is a "Hollywood Hero", and that an

upbeat Hollywood ending was tacked on to the film.

Algren is indeed a hero in that he stands (eventually) for principle, but are
these principles not the true "heroes" of the film? Algren is himself "converted"
- not by any character in particular, but by the way of life of the samurai, a way
of life which respects and demands loyalty, dignity and honour.

 agree that the positive ending is not entirely in keeping with the general
direction of the film, but personally I'm happier to think that such an outcome
is a possibility. I prefer to be given hope rather than have grim pessimism
driven home. A hero shows us possibilities and a way forward, and perhaps
even hope for the future. Of course this has to be realistic rather than sugary,
self-righteous and without value, but equally, nihilistic ventures can leave us
with no hope, no solutions, and no inspiration. The main purpose of this film is
surely to cause us to reflect on life's possibilities while offering us optimism
and something to aspire to.

The film has also been accused of being historically inaccurate, but I find this
criticism largely irrelevant as the film-makers did not set out to provide a
historical account of political and social events in late 19th century Japan.
They have clearly used this context (vaguely inspired by genuine events) as a
construct to drive home their warning about the dangers of commercialism at
the expense of principle and values.

As for the film itself, I have to say I hardly noticed the time pass and I consider
that one of the greatest accolades you can give a film. I thought it was well
paced with beautiful photography and had an intelligent and adult script, with
music that conveys and enhances the mood and emotions of the piece.
The performances were uniformly excellent, with Cruise and Watanabe doing
justice to the touching and thought-provoking script they were given.

My thanks for taking the time to read this page - I hope you found it of some
value.

I would be delighted to hear from anyone wishing to discuss further the film, or
my thoughts about it. I can be contacted at [email protected]