Black Rain

Black Rain (1989)

Runtime: 125 minutes

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia, Ken Takakura, Yusaku Matsuda, Kate Capshaw

From: Paramount

Here’s a movie which I remember seeing a trailer for on some old Paramount videotape (maybe it was Crocodile Dundee 2 or Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade, or maybe it was something else) but it wasn’t until about a year or two ago that I finally sat down and watched it. It’s because some people in an action movie thread on a forum had high praise for the film. I don’t know if I’d go that far, but…

This movie is about tough guy (hey, he races motorcycles) Nick Conklin (Douglas), a down on his luck NYC police officer who partners with cheerier Charlie Vincent (Garcia). They happen to be in a restaurant when a shootout involving shady Japanese figures happens, and they arrest Sato (Matsuda, who was ill with cancer when this was filmed, and died shortly thereafter; originally, they wanted none other than Jackie Chan to take this role, but they refused). The duo have to extradite him to Osaka, Japan, as he’s a member of the Yakuza. They get hoodwinked and Sato escapes. The duo have to work with Japanese cops-and Mas in particular (Takakura)-to capture him and try to solve what’s going on. Things happen and it results in an explosive finale.

Things aren’t too surprising throughout. It’s mainly a culture clash in tough New York City cops having to deal with an entirely different culture and totally different police procedures. But, as it’s a “buddy cop” sort of thing, they start to get along better throughout, despite some bumps in the road and even a scene at a karaoke bar (hey, it’s Japan). It’s not the greatest thing you’ll ever see but it’s a nice way to spend two hours. I don't quite know why some people are so in love with it; I guess they enjoyed the quality lead performances or dig Japan or are otaku or something. There’s some exciting action scenes but its mainly a moody and tough drama. So, if you enjoy “buddy cop” movies but want to see something a little different and a little exotic, then you should enjoy this film from a great director.

I'll be back Monday night with a new review.