Black Rain (1989)

Please don't spend money on this.

Beautiful, moving film.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

**NO SPOILER REVIEW** I really liked this movie. This movie has some AMAZING cinematography, and does a fairly good job of portraying the culture shock that an American would experience during a first time visit to Japan, even though it's somewhat simplified and is also trying to be a buddy cop movie where there's also a good cop/bad cop dynamic. Bottom line is, it's a movie, some themes will have to simplified otherwise it'd be a 3 hour slog.The concepts of "GAIJIN" and Japanese police culture aren't fully explained so if you take some time to learn about these two things beforehand it makes the movie much more cohesive and ... well, just helps things make more sense. The movie 'Freakonomics' details a fascinating aspect of Japanese police culture which is on full display in this film, I highly recommend you watch a segment in the movie 'Freakonomics' on Japanese policing (probably 20-30 minutes long) I'd also suggest you briefly read up on Japanese people's disdain for a "Gaijin" prior to watching this movie if you aren't familiar with either concept. It will greatly enhance your viewing experience. Also keep in mind that in Japanese culture, saving face and maintaining honor (in all aspects of life, not just policing) is of the utmost importance, this will help explain why the Japanese seemed to do some of the things they did in the movie. It wasn't that unrealistic or far-fetched if you ask me.FYI: I served overseas as a military service-member in Tokyo (so I WAS the Gaijin), this is partially why I enjoyed the film so much. If you lived in Japan like I did you probably don't need to read up on "Gaijin" or research too deeply into Japanese culture since you're already familiar. I'm rating this 10 stars because some other people rated the movie way too low IMO, the cinematography alone is 5 star quality, the plot is somewhat predictable at times but there are a few surprising twists so I wasn't disappointed. If you ever traveled to Japan (which would help you understand and enjoy the film's setting easier) or if you enjoy Asian themed cop flicks (i.e. Police Story, Supercop, etc.) then you'll like this movie. I was lucky to come across it on Amazon Prime so if you see it on your streaming service definitely give it a watch!

On a purely visual level, Black Rain draws immediate comparison to Ridley Scott's earlier Sci-Fi classic 'Blade Runner'. The almost claustrophobic industrial streets of Osaka surrounded by neon advertisement boards and the dark hue of the city lights are reminiscent of that. These damp, dark, unknown conditions that our protagonists find themselves in is the source of most of the films strength. They're strangers in a strange land, stripped of many of their policing abilities and stuck where their hard-edged procedures are no longer acceptable despite having to face criminals who are as ruthless as they come.The film follows two cops Nick and Charlie who have to escort a member of the Japanese Mafia back to Japan and then work with the local authorities to track him down after he manages to escape. The cops are played by a stubborn Michael Douglas and a smooth Andy Garcia. Most important is that both actors are very charismatic and therefore have little trouble carrying the film with them. They manage to convey a variety of emotions whilst always convincing as tough cops. As the film progresses they realise that the Japanese police don't trust them and they fall in with honest cop Mas, whose law-abiding ways are at odds with Nick's beliefs. This is where Scott's intelligence with the film comes to the fore as he turns it on its head. It appears to be a straight-forward, almost buddy-cop like film done seriously (I still think the Rush Hour series gained a lot from this film). It certainly contains a number of 80's action film clichés and is over-stylised to a degree. Yet it goes much deeper than that. It turns more into a study of the characters morality. Nick's questionable ethics, Charlie's laid-back approach and Mas' by the book method which is seen as the true way in Japan. The way these three characters bounce off of each other is where the films best moments are. Whether they argue or laugh or mourn, they're relationships feel genuine and so does the way in which they have to change in order to succeed.I don't think the film succeeds to this degree in its other areas. The plot itself is far too clear-cut and by the numbers. So much so that if it wasn't for the strong central characters then I think the film could be easily forgotten. The Japanese culture is interesting and the way in which their criminal underworld works is interesting, yet we only get glimpses of these sides. At one point we see the Mafia meeting in a steel foundry, which is a unique setting for such a thing to happen, and it leads to them having dull conversations that musters up to very little. Same goes for Sato, the main antagonist. If it was intended to make him shadowy and intimidating then well done, but if he was meant to be interesting and layered then they failed. Kate Capshaw puts in a good performance, showing she can act after her irritating role in 'Indiana Jones', as the nightclub worker who feeds Nick secrets about the Mafia. The problem is, even with suspended logic considering the type of film it is, I have trouble believing that she would know so much about them. How could a simple hostess from Chicago find out so much, especially when she tells Nick that the Americans are seen as ineffective? Her role simply seems too convenient considering how hard the film is trying to play this story straight.Scott is in his element when it comes to how the film looks. He is a great visual story-teller and he lets the dark glow of Osaka guide us through the film. He manages to make the skyscrapers, industrial centres and stacked apartment blocks look simultaneously futuristic and decayed. Some of the neon and lighting can become overbearing, but I feel that was intentional in order to add to the oppressiveness of the location. The action sequences aren't anything out of the ordinary, but they can be effective. The climax takes place at what appears to be rice fields, which I can't say I've seen in a film before and it certainly adds something different.Despite having some big issues with its plot and the logic behind it, I think Black Rain is an enjoyable enough film if you are willing to accept it as the strongly stylised piece that it is. When it focuses on the bond between the three protagonists then it is very entertaining, down to how straight the actors play it. Yet I never felt that involved with the film because the plot simply doesn't allow you the opportunity to be sucked in. The characters, visuals and the new environment are all exciting features, but the plot line and dialogue are flat because nothing remarkable is done with them. It was clear that at this point in time Scott was stuck doing films that he liked the concept of but was always unsure about how to make it all come together.

I first saw Black Rain on its initial release, sitting on the front row of the enormous screen of the Odeon Leicester Square London. It was very exciting then and after seeing it once again for the first time in over 25 years, it is still immensely enjoyable.Like many other reviewers, I am mystified by how underrated it is. In its day it was a blockbuster with a big reputation. The basic storyline is gripping with many interesting plot twists. The contrasts between American and Japanese culture are deftly handled and worked into the plot well. Of course it's shot in a moody, stylistic way, but it is of course a moody cop film noir thriller. I think the cinematography is superb, with one aerial shot in particular, of an impressionist sunrise over the industrial hinterland of Tokyo, absolutely breathtaking.Cast-wise, it's a strong showing as Kate Capshaw smoulders (even if we see her all too briefly), Andy Garcia is boyishly charming, and Ken Takakura is great as the perplexed Japanese detective, but Michael Douglas is immense and steals the show. Rarely has barely-controlled rage been portrayed so effectively and his performance stands up against all the cop portrayals in cinema history (and I am aware that is a big statement).In short, watch it - you won't be disappointed!

Well, the opening gets way too long, and in my opinion, doesn't really detail anything except to connect at the finale action sequence. That, in my opinion is kind of stupid because it waste enough minutes to have a not so significant connection. The story gets so very predictable, just like a typical Steven Segal or Van Damme movie where he would go into a place outside the US and wreak havoc and beat the living hell out of the sorry people there. Having a very predictable plot, it gets even more stupid by presenting it just over two hours long. The scenes take too long while most viewers would have guessed where they would lead to after the first 2 or three minutes into them anyways. Michael Douglas tried to act as the tough guy cop, but in my opinion, he should stick to dramas, or at most thrillers, and stay away from action movie.