Black Rain Movie
| Resolution | Size | Download | ||
|
720x292 | 1376.85 MiB | hidivx | |
|
592x240 | 657.24 MiB | divx | |
|
320x128 | 267.34 MiB | ipod | |
|
320x128 | 270.17 MiB | hpc | |
Storyline
TAGLINES
An American Cop in Japan. Their country. Their laws. Their game. His rules.
Osaka, Japan. A cop on the edge. A conspiracy on the rise. A killer on the loose.
A Ridley Scott Film From The Producers Of "Fatal Attraction"
A cop on the edge, a conspiracy in the rise, a killer on the loose.
Two New York cops get involved in a gang war between members of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. They arrest one of their killers and are ordered to escort him back to Japan. In Japan, however, he manages to escape. As they try to track him down, they get deeper and deeper into the Japanese Mafia scene and they have to learn that they can only win by playing the game the Japanese way.
| Michael Douglas | Nick |
| Andy Garcia | Charlie |
| Ken Takakura | Masahiro |
| Kate Capshaw | Joyce |
| Yusaku Matsuda | Sato |
| Shigeru Kôyama | Ohashi |
| John Spencer | Oliver |
| Guts Ishimatsu | Katayama |
| Yuya Uchida | Nashida |
| Tomisaburo Wakayama | Sugai |
| Miyuki Ono | Miyuki |
| Luis Guzmán | Frankie |
| John Costelloe | The Kid |
| Stephen Root | Berg |
| Richard Riehle | Crown |
| Ridley Scott |
6.30 out of 10 (9785 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Not worth it
posted on 23 Apr 2009Black Rain is a typical action 80's type film about a cop with an attitude, who's got family problems, and has to go off somewhere to kill some Asian mob. The film stars Michael Douglas who has to bring some Japanese boss back to Japan for a trial, but by mistake, he gives the boss right back to the mob! The rest of the film is how the American and Japanese cops try to find him. Tedious, not enough action to keep the movie floating, but good acting by Michael Douglas, as much as he was wasted in this movie, and good moments showing how Nick (Douglas) has to lose the attitude to work with the Japanese. Slick cover, but a good action movie to rent would be The Year of the Dragon. As trashy as it is, it's more entertaining than this. It's sad, right after the Wall Street oscar, he did this movie.
Dated but not bad...
posted on 30 Mar 2009Typical great looking, atmospheric Ridley Scott flick, this time set in Osaka. I wasn't impressed w/ Douglas in this-he was grating, paunchy and seemed to be channeling Sonny Crockett in this. NYC cops aren't exactly Alphonse and Gaston-but still....I generally like Mike D's performances otherwise. Andy Garcia plays the typical Noo Yoiker ethnic cop role which he did alot then.I found the Japanese characters to such stereotypes-moronic by the book type cops and HashiMoto/Hawaii 5-0 level Villains. Did they import 23 Sumo wrestlers for the Goons? And what was with the meeting in a foundry? Strange. Then they have another one in a Vineyard....Oh and Kate Capeshaw-she is fine as the Madonna-ish windowdressing. I thought she was better here than in most other roles she's done.And yeah, it was still in the 'Japan Inc' era-now they're in the midst of a 10 year recession. Times change eh?I liked this alright-*** outta **** if that.
Good looking action flick
posted on 27 Mar 2009Well-photographed from New York to Tokyo, "Black Rain" is yet another credit to the skills of Ridley Scott. The plot follows New York police officer Nick Conklin's pursuit of Sato, a young Japanese mobster who murdered two of his own rivals right in front of Nick (Michael Douglas). Scott handles the action well, and balances well with the drama.Ken Takakura is very good as Conklin's Japanese partner, while both Douglas and Andy Garcia are convincing in the lead roles. Hans Zimmer's music caps off this very enjoyable, and different (thank goodness) action film.Tuesday, May 19, 1992 - Video
An awesome flick that no one ever talks about
posted on 31 Oct 2008This is a very overlooked character driven action film by Ridley Scott. His visuals have been discussed at great length for films like Alien, and Blade Runner. However Black Rain almost matches his prior films in terms of visual beauty. The film is given a surrealistic look, that strengthens the exotic back drop. Michael Douglas is superb at playing cops and loners, and here he demonstrates why hes a star. His character is a complete bad ass, and I'd like to see him take on a few more of these roles before he gets too old. The writing isn't masterful but its very effective for the genre. I've always loved the theme of American cops going over to a foreign land and experiencing all the culture shock, and sense of alienation.Great movie 9/10
Ken Takakura means everything to everyone
posted on 19 Oct 2008Black Rain is a special movie that I was lucky to see on the big screen. I thought of KenTakakura as an A list actor with extraordinary talent for looking honorable since he is true to himself In my humble opinion. Lets face it in Japan Ken Takakuras character was the hero while the Characters of Douglas and Garcia were viewed as attempted invasions. In film most good guys have an oppo. I really like the Pollack directed sleeper Yakuza film Ken Takakura was in although I haven't seen it yet. Mr Baseball proved that this Thinker who is a Father to me has staying power on the world stage and the big screen theaters around the world. I read that Ken Takakura has more than 180 loyal Movie cast affectionados. Pardon my bad English spelling please. Sometimes I joke that I am watermarking to prove that I am not a robot. I am proud of my nickname cyborg though and I like to think of myself as important to my Creator. The Black Rain movie soundtrack is quite good. My previous Black Rain review was deleted sadly. The band Undercover sang They try to blame the Created but he cannot be faulted parahrased. At first I tried to speek great truths then great truisms, now I just try to prevent major loops in my thought process. I had so many people tell me I was nothing only my enormous ego from on high kept me believing I was smart with a good personality and amazing analytical ability and deductive reasoning. I would picture complex if then latticeworks of reasoning. May the Creator always favor the Japanese, their genetic codes and their friends worldwide. Thank you to IMDb for supporting the kind of freedom of speech that Ken I believe, Jack F Kennedy and I support. Support IMDb.
Yet another 80s run of the mill ...
posted on 10 Apr 2008Ah, the 80s. that era of arrogance and disdain to all thing 'not American'. This was the height of Reaganism when nationalistic crap like Rambo and Iron Eagle drew crowds! Another prime example of 'patriotism gone awry' the country was suffering from in the 80s. The blatant mockery of all things Japanese, some traditions dating back to a culture that has flourished for thousands of years, make this a movie for morons and Yee-hah hillbillies, not for people capable of independent thought. The preposterous behavior of two cops from NY, defying all Japanese traditions and insisting on being 'American' in their host country is something to be ashamed about, not cause for applause. Until this movie, I was a fan of Ridley Scott; not any more.
"Your Methods Are Crude And Disgraceful"
posted on 02 Mar 2008If you have ever visited a US military base in Europe, the one thing that will have impressed you is the way in which Americans overseas build 'little America' around themselves. They seem unwilling to engage with the society in which they find themselves, sticking instead to familiar food, drinks and pastimes. "Black Rain" is another manifestation of the same phenomenon.In the late 1980's, two American cops travel to Tokyo to hand over a Yakuza killer into the custody of the Japanese authorities. Things go wrong, and so the Americans remain in Tokyo, determined to ensure that justice is done.At the heart of this film is a deep American mistrust of foreigners. Only the New York cops are capable: if the Yakuza is to be fought, it's the Americans who will have to do it. Chopsticks are fiendish alien implements, and a regular guy like Michael Douglas won't learn how to use them. This refusal to meet the host culture on its own terms permeates the whole film. Not only do cliches of Japanese life proliferate: they are offered up for the (American) audience to snigger at. If there's a bar, there has to be a karaoke performance, with a Japanese singer giving a 'flied lice' rendition of an American song. Of course, when Charlie of the NYPD takes the stage, he rocks the joint - he's showing Japan what popular music is all about.Concentrating as it does on banal examples of Japanese culture (for example, the removal of shoes on entering a home), the film profoundly misunderstands the Japanese mindset. We meet Sugai, the mighty oyebun ('godfather', to use the clumsy American parallel). He not only sits and chats with Nick (Michael Douglas's character) but discusses with him the behaviour of another Yakuza member, and even follows Nick's instructions concerning a forthcoming ambush. This is lunacy. In the real world, a man such as Sugai would disdain even to NOTICE a lowly American cop. Mas is dishonoured by his association with the New Yorkers. It is inconceivable that he would so much as mention his disgrace in Nick's presence, let alone undertake the course of action shown in the film.The two Americans (and especially Nick) are offered to us as heroic figures, because they defy authority. They use unorthodox policing methods, including the physical abuse of prisoners and the destruction of evidence. By contrast, the film represents the Japanese police as rather 'square' because they follow procedures. This glorying in lax professional ethics is, quite frankly, insulting to the Japanese. Their cultural values embrace concepts such as correctness and scrupulous honesty, civilised virtues which this film sees fit to scoff at.Apart from being a coarse affront to the Japanese whose hospitality the project enjoyed, "Black Rain" is simply a bad movie. The thing that happens to the police officer in the shopping mall would constitute a full-blown international incident in real life, but here it is lamely treated as a mere street crime. Charlie performs "What Did I Say?" flawlessy to perfect accompaniment, even though he and his Japanese backing-group have never met before and cannot communicate. The idea of Joyce, the high-class escort girl, having to walk home alone in the early hours through downtown Tokyo is utterly ridiculous. Even more preposterously than that, the Americans bluff their way onto a dangerous police raid, and are allowed into close unsupervised contact with arrested Yakuza members. Nick is able to move around the steelworks unchallenged, as if the intrusion of unauthorised westerners was a daily occurrence. Motor bikes and cars explode for no discernible reason, and Nick is able to escape from an airliner by simply climbing into a food cabinet. Though he is a stranger to Tokyo and cannot read Japanese characters, he has no trouble making his way to Mas's apartment in the suburbs.All these things are sloppy and improbable, but they are as nothing in comparison with the preposterous goings-on at the film's climax. An American policeman runs around the Japanese countryside, weilding a pump-action shotgun. The Yakuza has entrusted its problem-solving to the lone foreigner. Professional gangsters with Uzis and martial arts know-how are brushed aside. A man is arrested without authority or legitimacy. The restoration of the shamed man is ludicrous, showing total ignorance of Confucian notions of disgrace.Director Ridley Scott will always be associated with the 'Alien' films, and if he sought by the making of "Black Rain" to break that connection, he failed. With its coloured lights, spark showers, gouts of steam and cruets of molten metal, Tokyo is just another beleaguered spacecraft floating in nothingness. Nick is a masculine Ripley, pursued by The Unknown along the sinister passages of the labyrinth which is Spaceship Tokyo.Nick is an oaf and a crook, and Joyce is a carelessly tacked-on token love interest. The 'black rain' of the title is a past horror, inflicted on the Japanese by the Americans. Plus ca change ...
Fear of Japanese mob
posted on 25 Oct 2007This film, a Ridley Scott 'well made story' of Japan's-underworld, was intriguing to me, from the beginning. Back before the eighties were even gone, this was a cutting story of the Asian mobs, the Japanese in particular, and how they ruthlessly do business. As I watched this from the starting in New York, the capture and travel overseas to transfer the suspect, I was already on the edge of my seat, but then seeing their world, sent me over the edge. I had never witnessed anything like it. Being that I was only 21 at the time of the film's release and yes there are many in the military, who can boast world travel, I had never been in the hottest parts of Japan, so for me it was both eye opening and hostile information all at once. From start to finish, this movie carried a 'Hard-Edged' blade of a story. Everyone in Japan,(practically) knowing the American, less than 'Perfect' cop's 'business' from the six O'clock news. It didn't help them, but it drove the two harder for their intended target! It was solid, front to back. I gave it an incredible, '10' rating because, it blasts through with fearless action and a stone-cold story, that burns white hot.I was informed later on by law enforcement that the Asian gangs have taken over much of the Mafia's territory, since 1996. Interestingly scary, kind of like the movie. (****)
Cops And Wobbers
posted on 24 Jul 2007Basically we're talking Coogan's Bluff with chopsticks, i.e, cop(s) escorting prisoner from one jurisdiction to another, somehow 'losing' prisoner and then mounting a one (or, in this case, two) man crusade in alien territory to recapture said prisoner. It usually works, Coogan's Bluff worked and even inspired a TV spin-off, McCloud, French Connection II worked and so on and so on. Michael Douglas is effective as the main cop - Andy Garcia is also along for the ride - and is 'planted' as an accomplished motor cyclist in New York to enable a motor cycle finale in which he chases the Yakuza heavy on two wheels. It's done as well as these things ever are with enough violence and swearing to satisfy fans of the genre.
At bottom, a story about loyalty, friendship, and trust
posted on 15 Jun 2007American individualism versus Japanese collectivism is an enticing subtext in this film, threading its way through the action like a classical leitmotif, usually with glib irony. The drama unfolds when a NYC detective (Nick, Michael Douglass) and his partner are sent to Japan to deliver a Japanese mobster to the authorities. They screw up, turning him over to the goodfella's gang, and, instead of enjoying a lovely vacation with the geishas, find themselves in the midst of a deadly serious manhunt. Their angst is ratcheted up a notch because they are looked down upon as typical Americans, who are `less than perfect.' The subtext of `society versus the individual' makes Black Rain more than your typical action flick: these competing social attitudes are brought into play, not by pitting them against each other in opposition, but by creating an atmospheric ambience in which the two are separate parts of the same whole. We see the `hero' lone wolf cop, Nick, for example, criticize Mas (his Japanese counterpart) for disloyalty when Mas goes to the `suits' about a troubling issue. The right thing to do was to confront him privately first. And we see Mas, who explicitly says that he belongs to a group to which he is bound by loyalty, take a greater risk for self-directed action than Nick could possibly take as a cop in NYC.One of my favorite scenes in all of moviemaking history occurs in this film.
At dinner, Mas asks Nick bluntly: `Did you take money?' He'd heard disturbing reports from across the ocean. After a long pause, Nick replies, remorsefully, `Yeah, I took money.' Mas continues: `Nick, if you steal, you disgrace yourself … and me.' It's such firm and open intimacy. Mas is saying, `I accept you, faults and all; we are partners; but, please consider how your behavior affects us.' Not many films feature this type of action, the quiet choices and affirmations that create bonds of loyalty and friendship. They're made without fanfare in moments such as these.
A decent cop thriller. Spoiler Alert!
posted on 12 Jun 2007Black Rain is a decent cop thriller that takes place in Japan instead of say, New York. Michael Douglas does a good job of playing the rogue cop playing by his own rules. Andy Garcia does a good job of being the goof off cop that dies early. The plot and execution are strictly by the numbers but this movie still manages to be entertaining. The film's Japanese actors pull off some good character acting but otherwise they are unremarkable. Bottom Line: This film is ok considering the formulaic plot. Worth viewing once.
Ridley Scott's been better, but Black Rain is rarely less than engaging.
posted on 16 Apr 2007Much like 1993's Rising Sun would do four years later, this engrossing but ultimately unsatisfying American thriller peers deeply into Japanese culture and customs, finding that nation's increasing world influence menacing. The visual stylization of director Ridley Scott is reliably breathtaking, and stars Michael Douglas and Ken Takakura are excellent as world-weary soldiers in the war on crime, with able support from Andy Garcia as the former's partner. Only the script poses problems here, but they are rather significant ones. Kate Capshaw turns up a few too many times in the role of a savvy bartender from the West, who's so knowledgeable about Japan she probably ought to get a book deal. Her exposition-required existence is far too obvious and creates an aura of incompetence around the Douglas character, who ought to be able to turn up some information on his own, being a detective. Then there are the repeated chase scenes, that, while excitingly realized by the production team, pile up one after another until one longs for a lengthy, talky, dialogue exchange. The Japanese cast is also superb, bringing subtle, three-dimensional shadings to their roles, particularly Takakura, but it's difficult to escape the sense of threat that permeates the film, its reactionary vibe to modern sociopolitical forces coming off as cinematic Ludditism. Black Rain is a seductive and fascinating film at its best, a cliché-ridden, but exquisitely filmed and faintly jingoistic crime drama at its worst.
Interesting cultural encounter
posted on 02 Mar 2007I watched mostly this movie because I had heard good opinions about it's content as a movie which deals with cultural encounter of Japanese and American police. Same topic has been handled in many movies, and I think Black Rain beats them all quite much. Though there are some cliches, still I must say that the movie is worth of 8. Michael Douglas isn't bad at all, actually he's seen as quite vulnerable. Ridley Scott does once again great work.
A Classic
posted on 09 Feb 2007This is a classic film. Not on par with Ridley Scott's Gladiator but one of his best films. This movie has much to offer and much more to think about. "Black Rain" has to been seen in full Surround Sound. It's a feast for the eyes and only Ridley Scott could have done it.
Kill Him, Kill Him, Kill Him,
posted on 19 Jan 2007I remember the crowd cheering that over and over and over in the end. Then all I heard was AUuuuuuuuuuuuuugh. I saw it in the Mann's Chinese Theatre. It was beautiful. I was happy with the ending and it made me feel good. So good that I went to the bathroom to hide and snuck in to see it again. The Cop was a cliché, as well as the plot, and so was the Music. But the movie wasn't. It was different from the other 80's cop flicks. The ending was touching and sad because he was going back to a the world that wants to crucify him. He went against his own grain and did the right thing; arrested his guy. It was the better bunch of numerous great films that Micheal Douglas has done in his worthy career.
Black Rain!
posted on 08 Dec 2006Black Rain is a cool film with a cool cast including Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia, Ken Takakura, Yusaku Matsuda, and Kate Capshaw! Also in the movie are brief appearances by some familiar actors including Luis Guzmán, John Costelloe, and Professor Toru Tanaka! There is solid acting by the actors especially by Douglas and Matsuda! The score is by Hans Zimmer which it is really great music! Ridley Scott directs the film very good! The action in the film is really good and realistic. I think that Black Rain is an unusual film and its quite good to watch. If you like the cast mentioned above and want to watch a very different and exciting film then Black Rain is an excellent one to check out today!Movie Nuttball's NOTE:If you like Ridley Scott then I recommend that you check out the following films: Alien, Blade Runner, Legend, Someone to Watch Over Me, and Gladiator!
TRULY UNDERRATED (however generic ending lets it down)
posted on 26 Nov 2006The general opinion of Black Rain seems to be that it is not much more than a trashy Hollywood cop/action film. However if you look a little closer you will see there is much more to it than that.The most prominent quality of Black Rain is the lead character. Michael Douglas successfully builds a character that is full of complexity, regret and self-loathing. When this character is immersed in a restraining culture clash, coupled with a severe personal trauma that occurs, he is driven to go trough a struggling process of self-realisation.The next prominent quality is of course Ridley Scott's stunning visual treatment. Black Rain is packed full of beautiful atmospheric scenes and images. There are too many to mention here.This film's major flaw is its ending. It feels like a slapped on, generic Hollywood ending where everything seems to work itself out perfectly. The ending bastardizes the previous emotional struggle. It also makes a mockery of the cross-cultural respect that developed.Overall this is a very good film. It is much more than just a trashy Hollywood cop/action film and definitely should not be forgotten. It should be 8/10 but the ending brings it down to 7/10.
Good, but not that good.
posted on 30 Oct 2006Black Rain is an absolutely gorgeous movie to look at. And for the most part it's highly entertaining and well acted - the guy playing Sato is brilliantly menacing. But occasionally, very occasionally, it descends into either complete predictability or downright cheesiness. A motorbike chase, well, that's a surprise! And that award ceremony right near the end - why? It's totally irrelevant, feel good factor nonsense - the sort of stuff you get with bog standard action movies. And this is not bog standard, and not really an action movie. Certainly underrated and deserving of a better audience than it has received, but ultimately let down by a few lapses in quality.
Uneven and clichéd
posted on 12 Oct 2006I have never been able to warm up to BLACK RAIN, a cliché-ridden 80s cop thriller. Michael Douglas, who by 1989 was a big Hollywood star with a mullet, plays a crooked cop who escorts a Yakuza home to Japan after witnessing the guy kill two people. His partner Andy Garcia is along for the ride. As soon as they touch down in Tokyo, they lose the killer and the chase is on. Soon enough, they are teamed up with a by-the-book Japanese detective, played by the doleful Ken Takakura. The problem with the movie is, it is shot MTV-style and we are all over the place with this one, rarely sitting still long enough to catch our collective breath. You'd think Tony, not Ridley, shot this one. Douglas is fine and basically carries the movie, and Garcia is believable as a naive, fresh-faced youngster who lacks Douglas' street smarts. The bad guys are stock characters and just not that interesting. In the end, too much chasing around without much of a payoff will have worn most viewers out long before the final scene.
Hurray! Finally the dvd reissue!
posted on 31 Aug 2009Reviewed in earlier editions. Format has implied color but the only thing in color are the subtitles. Subtitles seem to have been rewritten. Here is YouTube trailer,
[...]