Black Rain

Rating:
Summary: A 'Rising Sun'-like bubble film and a guilty pleasure
Review: 'Black Rain' came out in 1989. It's shown a lot of legs (it was on HBO last weekend) for two reasons: first and foremost, it's a Ridley Scott film, nuff said; second, it is - as the amazon reviewer pointed out - a wonderfully guilty pleasure, featuring such delightful absurdities as Kate Capeshaw (Mrs. Steven Spielberg, for god's sake) crammed into some va-va-voom sequined outfit, and sportin' some seriously tousled Big 80s hair. And speaking of big hair, that's one excellent mullet being chaperoned around by Michael Douglas. It is, after all, 1989.

I'll put this film in the same category as Philip Kaufman's 'Rising Sun' - 1989 was the height (of absurdity, as it turns out) of the Japanese bubble economy, and Japan-focused films of this age spoke to the fear or at least latent concern about the Japanese economic model eventually besting the US model. So, in light of a dramatically different Japan circa 2005, 'Black Rain' looks a little over the top. But, hey, this is a movie, and this is Ridely Scott. You want subtlety? Look elsewhere.

The real star of the film (if you can look around Mr. Douglas' most excellent rants and rages) is regal Japanese star Ken Takakura as Detective Masahiro. His IMDB filmography lists 130 substantial roles in his prolific history and calls him "the Clint Eastwood of Japan," not faint praise in anyone's book. Mr. Takahura literally holds the film together, acting as the bridge between the Douglas/Garcia side of the film, and the Japanese side of the film. It's great work.

Rating:
Summary: A Well Made Action/Thriller.
Review: A Maverick New York City Detective (Two Time Oscar-Winner:Micheal Douglas) and His Partner (Andy Garcia) are Assigned to Deliver a Yukuzn Gangster (Yusaku Matsuda) to the Japanese Authorities but Once, they Arrived in Japan, the Cops ended up losing the Criminal and then the Cops are in the Search of the Felon, who Escape from Them. Despite Protests from the Japanese Police, the American Cops are Staying in Japan and the Lead Detective (Ken Takakura) is Forced to Help Them.

Directed by Ridley Scott (Thelma & Louise, 1492:The Conquest of Paradise, White Squall) brings a Stylish Action-Thriller, which is Entertaining and Visual Good-Looking Flick, thanks to Cinematogrpher:Jan De Bont (Cujo, The Hunt for the Red October, Basic Instinct) and Screenplay by Criag Bolotin and Warren Lewis makes this Action Movie Works. Micheal Douglas gives a Solid Performance. This was a Box Office Hit in the Fall of 1989. One of the Top-Best Cops (Action-Thriller) Films of the 1980`s. It was Oscar Nominated for Best Sound Editing and Best Sound. Panavision. Grade:B+.

Rating:
Summary: This Might've Worked If ...
Review: An unimportant film with unimportant consequences, BLACK RAIN is the story of two New York detectives (Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia) who have the task of delivering a mob thug back to Japan ... where they end up in the middle of international intrigue with all entirely unbelievable plot twists.

However, BLACK RAIN has long been a 'closet favorite' of filmgoers worldwide. It is sumptuously photographed, and the action -- while not entirely fulfilling -- is beautifully choreographed. Perhaps its greatest strengths are, as well, its greatest detractors.

I can't help wondering, though, how the film would've played had the two principles (Douglas and Garcia) switched roles. Dramatically, it would've had more effect, and, stylistically, Douglas is looking to old for these kind of roles anyhow.

See it for the guilty pleasure of watching the sumptuous Kate Capshaw as the perfect 'blonde escort' conducting her business for the benefit of Japanese business. She's worth any viewing, or any price, in my little black book.

Rating:
Summary: "It started to rain... Black rain."
Review: Another masterpiece from director Ridley Scott, Black Rain stars Michael Douglas as Nick Conklin, an NY cop who is under pressure from internal affairs and has just had a divorce. Along with him is his happy-go-lucky partner Charlie (Andy Garcia), who loves a good time (it's weird how they call each other "babe"). After arresting Japanese Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) boss Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), they are assinged to return him to Japan. When Sato escapes and humiliates the cops, Nick is determined to bring him in, but has to cope with the strict ways of the Japanese law enforcement. With the help of the by-the-book cop Masahiro (Ken Takakura), Nick vows to bring Sato down. With great supporting actors/actresses, good story, and great action, it's great for any person who likes action or Michael Douglas. It's only real flay is its absurdity, but that's not going to stop you from seeing it, is it?

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant movie - Insulting visual transfer
Review: Before I review Black Rain, let me tell you that I agree with some of the previous reviewers that the picture quality of this DVD (its better on VHS) is totally unacceptable. When I first watched it, I had to check my cable connections to make sure they weren't at fault. What a let-down. Mr. Scott should be raising hell over this.

With that said, this is one of my favorite action movies. It portrays Detective Nick Conklin (Michael Douglas) as an outgoing, old-school cop who takes moral short-cuts to get the job done. His partner, a relatively new Detective (Andy Garcia) is along for the ride. They have a run-in with a Japanese mobster (Yakuza) named Sato. After arresting Sato for commiting two murders in a New York restaurant, the Detectives are ordered to escort him back to Japan to face charges there. They manage to let Sato escape as he arrives in Japan. A Japanese Detective (Ken Takarara) is assigned to help out the New York Detectives.

Douglas, Garcia and Takarara are excellenty cast in their respective roles. The screenplay is well written. I must say that the cinematography is really good. Japan, the once-conquered nation, is now an industrial powerhouse. But, like the U.S., it suffers from the ills of corruption and violence. Ridley Scott does a great job of showing the tension between the two cultures. The Japanese, "bound by duty and honor", and the Americans, loud and outspoken, are viewed as somewhat obnoxious by their counterparts. The musical score is incredible. Hans Zimmer really brings this movie to life with an array of Japanese and American-themed music that injects just the right amount of tension for the corresponding scene. Brilliantly done.

This movie is 5-Star material, but the DVD version is a huge disapointment. I would wait to see if a special edition DVD comes out (I can only hope) with the video quality this movie deserves.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant movie - Insulting visual transfer
Review: Before I review Black Rain, let me tell you that I agree with some of the previous reviewers that the picture quality of this DVD (its better on VHS) is totally unacceptable. When I first watched it, I had to check my cable connections to make sure they weren't at fault. What a let-down. Mr. Scott should be raising hell over this.

With that said, this is one of my favorite action movies. It portrays Detective Nick Conklin (Michael Douglas) as an outgoing, old-school cop who takes moral short-cuts to get the job done. His partner, a relatively new Detective (Andy Garcia) is along for the ride. They have a run-in with a Japanese mobster (Yakuza) named Sato. After arresting Sato for commiting two murders in a New York restaurant, the Detectives are ordered to escort him back to Japan to face charges there. They manage to let Sato escape as he arrives in Japan. A Japanese Detective (Ken Takarara) is assigned to help out the New York Detectives.

Douglas, Garcia and Takarara are excellenty cast in their respective roles. The screenplay is well written. I must say that the cinematography is really good. Japan, the once-conquered nation, is now an industrial powerhouse. But, like the U.S., it suffers from the ills of corruption and violence. Ridley Scott does a great job of showing the tension between the two cultures. The Japanese, "bound by duty and honor", and the Americans, loud and outspoken, are viewed as somewhat obnoxious by their counterparts. The musical score is incredible. Hans Zimmer really brings this movie to life with an array of Japanese and American-themed music that injects just the right amount of tension for the corresponding scene. Brilliantly done.

This movie is 5-Star material, but the DVD version is a huge disapointment. I would wait to see if a special edition DVD comes out (I can only hope) with the video quality this movie deserves.

Rating:
Summary: Scott's dark vision illuminates Black Rain
Review: Behind every cloud is a silver lining, so goes the saying. Black Rain is full of clouds. It's marred by bad acting, bad writing--it looks bleak and, well, black. But there's that silver lining, and it appears glaringly in the form of legendary screen director Ridley Scott. Scott's been the guiding light (the savior even) of similar B-grade movies, lifting them to heights they shouldn't theatrically attain. It is Scott's vision (albeit a dark one)that saves Black Rain. Scott's fetish for film noir works again (as it did in Alien and Bladerunner), as his photography and choice of shooting angles creates the mood and actually helps add depth to an otherwise one-dimensional storyline. The location shooting in Osaka, Japan, gives us a very different view of The Land of the Rising Sun (one that is very Western, very gritty, and very irreverant). And the makeup and clothing departments deserve kudos too. Both greatly aid Michael Douglas and company who struggle with a subpar script that asks them to give the conviction of cartoon characters. Because of Ridley Scott's vision and determination, there is a silver lining that makes Black Rain not as dismal a cinematic outing as it sounds.

Rating:
Summary: EXELLENT!!!
Review: Black rain is a masterpeice.Douglas and Garcia are great together. It has a wonderful storyline.If you like police shows over seas I highly recommend this.Also see The Young Americans.

Rating:
Summary: Culture Clash
Review: Black Rain may not have some of the epic qualities of other Ridley Scott films, like Blade Runner, Gladiator, or even Black Hawk Down, but it is still a solid cop thrller/fish out of water story.

Just as New York detective Mike Conklin (Michael Douglas) faces an investigation for corruption, Japan's yakuza hit man Sato (Yusaku Matsuda) kills two American mobsters in New York, he's then extradited to Osaka to face trial. Conklin and his partner Charlie Vincent (Andy Garcia) are assigned as his escorts back home. Mistakenly turning over their prisoner to yakuza disguised as police, Conklin and Vincent realize, after running down some blind alleys, that they have no chance of finding Sato in the unfamiliar city and enlist the services of Japanese desk cop Masahiro "Mas" Masumoto (Ken Takakura). While relaxing with Mas at a karaoke bar, the cops also get information on the world of the yakuza from Joyce Kinglsey (Kate Capshaw), a high-class bargirl. As they continue the search for Sato, the scrupulous, methodical, and civilized style of Japanese police work rubs the improvisational, rule-breaking Americans the wrong way. All three men must find a way to work together though, to succeed.

Scott certainly knows how to keep the action moving at a nice pace. Douglas is very good playing yet another cop on the edge. A very young Garcia makes the most of a fairly predictable role. Takakura gets along well with his "american" compatriots. His character is as much out of his element, while adjusting to the two westerners, as the two americans are. This makes the film even more fun. Special mention has to be made of the superb photography of future director Jan de Bont, who had just come off of Die Hard, in the movie. The Japan backdrop looks great and is at its grittiest. The film's biggest problem lies within its script. Some of its twists are easy to forecast before they occur. Fortunately though, everything else works pretty well, so as not to bring down the flick.

I like Black Rain a whole lot and would welcome a special edition DVD release of the movie. As it stands right now though, the current disc only has the theatrical trailer, for its bonus material. Since most Ridley Scott films make for great SE DVDs, I'm sure if done right, Black Rain would be as well. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC RIDLEY SCOTT.
Review: Created in the late 80's, this movie is the classic EAST meets WEST.

Unbelivable performances by Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia and a JAPANESE STAR.

Michael Douglas plays the opitome of an anti-hero. He's a dirty cop with more skeletons in the closet than the catacombes of Paris. Yet, he's a loyal friend, an excellent detective, and is willing to improve his faults.

The story...two NYC cops are forced to escort a YAKUZA (Japanese Mafioso) to Japan. But to no fault of Andy Garcia and Michael Douglas' characters, the mafioso escapes. Rumors in NYC and Japan run rampant that Michael Douglas took money for the freedom of the Japanese Mafioso. The two NYC cops stay in Japan to try and help the Japanese police to locate this criminal. The Japanese, in the classic we can do it better than anyone else mentality, really don't want their help. They assign a highly respected Japanese Detective to escort the two NYC cops.

Michael Douglas is the Vaquero. The American COWBOy. Cocky, stubborn and eternally the tough guy. The Japanese Detective is the stereotypical Stoic, BY-THE-RUles agent. In a clash of cultures, the two derive a friendship that is pure.

There is so many subplots and complexities that I've watched this movie 20 times. I love this movie and rate it in my top 5 of all time.

It may have been created in the late 80's, but it stands up to the test of time. Watch this movie over and over again. If you don't want to dive into the cerebral...enjoy the fast paced action.