It's difficult to know which blade plays the greater role: Tom Cruise's sword or his hair stylist's scissors.

Because for all the martial art posing it's Tom's impressive locks that cut the sharpest look in this shamelessly old-fashioned star vehicle.

Whether he's slicing through his enemy or practicing Shinto meditation our hero's immaculate fringe is always perfectly adjusted.

You almost expect him to announce to his adversaries: "I'm a Samurai... because I'm worth it!".

Tom's looks are crucial - there's barely a frame that doesn't feature the Top Shogun in various rugged, introspective poses as his character, Captain Nathan Algren, learns 'the way of the Samurai'.

To help us chart this spiritual awakening, the entire 154mins are punctuated with wardrobe changes - progressing from scruffy US cavalry fatigues, through robe-wearing philosopher gown, and onto full-blown Samurai warrior, replete with slightly ludicrous armour that leaves him resembling an oriental Henry VIII.

Like Tom's armour, this film is a curiously clunky affair, which fails to summon up much in the way of originality.

Highlights include a sharply choreographed ambush scene where crossbow-wielding ninjas attack Tom's adopted Samurai village - and a fantastic depiction of the same 19th century settlement.

Special mention also to an excellent Ken Watanabe as the Samurai leader, Katsumoto.

But every time you think someone might cut loose and give us some Crouching Tiger-style insight, back comes our coiffured hero with a dollop of multiplex-pleasing mush.

Ninety minutes in I looked at my watch and realised that the imminent "final battle" sequence was going to eat up almost an entire hour of cinema: and given 60mins of big-budget action you'd be forgiven for expecting something rather special.

In the event what this film delivers is a pretty average mixture of secondhand images plucked straight from Braveheart, Gladiator, Dances With Wolves and just about any other mass-audience war film that you care to mention.

It's a disappointing finale to what could and should have been a shorter, leaner and more interesting film.

Ultimately, just like a blunt sword, you're left wishing that everything had been that little bit sharper.

Antony Garvey