I LOVE this movie! I personally think it's even better than POTC, but that's just my my opinion. You really have to see it to appreciate the amazing adrenaline rush you get in the main scenes. Here's a short synopsis:

Captain Nathan Algren (Cruise) is a man adrift. The battles he once fought now seem distant and futile. Once he risked his life for honor and country, but, in the years since the Civil War, the world has changed. Pragmatism has replaced courage, self-interest has taken the place of sacrifice and honor is nowhere to be found - especially out West where his role in the Indian Campaigns ended in disillusionment and sorrow. Somewhere on the unforgiving plains near the banks of the Washi-ta River, Algren lost his soul. A universe away, another soldier sees his way of life about to disintegrate. He is Katsumoto (Watanabe), the last leader of an ancient line of warriors, the venerated Samurai, who dedicated their lives to serving emperor and country. Just as the modern way encroached upon the American West, cornering and condemning the Native American, it also engulfed traditional Japan. The telegraph lines and railroads that brought progress now threaten those values and codes by which the Samurai have lived and died for centuries. But Katsumoto will not go without a fight.

The paths of these two warriors converge when the young Emperor of Japan, wooed by American interests who covet the growing Japanese market, hires Algren to train Japan's first modern, conscript army. But as the Emperor's advisers attempt to eradicate the Samurai in preparation for a more Westernized and trade-friendly government, Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced by his encounters with the Samurai. Their powerful convictions remind him of the man he once was. Thrust now into harsh and unfamiliar territory, with his life and perhaps more important, his soul, in the balance, the troubled American soldier finds himself at the center of a violent and epic struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his sense of honor to guide him.

And some amazing scenes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UefjCb_rJA

yeah that is a good movie kinda sad near the end though

yeah. ouch . I like the way the end's not cliched, you know- the good guys don't always win I won't spoil it any more though. Well after 18 hours, I think the adrenaline of it is wearing off... oh. I like being naturally high lol.

i LOVED this movie! I was glued to my seat the entire time!

yeah, its a really cool movie, really awesome battles, but not enough battles

Yeah, more fighting would be good. The talking kind of drags on sometimes, but I still like the way it's not just a mindless killing movie. It really has an emotionally structured story-line

my history teacher said there was a book about that too
The movie is amazing
Its the first film ive seen cruise be consistently good

It is a very good movie, true

There was enought figting (i prefer one x others than massive battles) and other stuff was a perfect look to samurai society It's the best movie which Cruise ever done and really like it