|
Showdown in Little Tokyo
(1991)
 |
For 400 years, Japan has
been home to a secret criminal organization dedicated to its
own supremacy in the underworld. Ruled by an ancient, arcane
code of honor, the deadly Yakuza have been among the most feared
members of society. Even today, they are immediately recognizable
by the stunningly ornate tattoos that cover their bodies, telling
the terrifying story of their stature and career in a dark order
that knows no mercy.
Now the Yakuza are coming to Los Angeles. But in America, they're
going to meet their match.
Two cops are on their trail. One's an American raised in Japan.
He's got the mind and spirit of a samurai, and the body of a
human fighting machine.
The other's a Japanese-American raised in California's San Fernando
Valley. He's into malls, pizza and MTV. But he can disarm five
gunmen with his bare feet.
One's a warrior. One's a wise-ass. But together they've got what
it takes to remove some tattoos from Little Tokyo.
"Showdown in Little Tokyo" stars action favorite Dolph
Lundgren as Chris Kenner, a man fighting for his adopted heritage
and his family's honor; and Brandon Lee, in his first American
film role, as Johnny Murata, a guy whose idea of a good time
includes knowing where--and how--to get his kicks.
Opposites in attitude, once they get on the streets, they're
a perfect odd couple. And what they have in common is their enemy--the
Yakuza who are bringing a lethal new drug trade to Los Angeles,
coupled with a macabre taste for violence and cruelty. (from
the production notes) |
|
Mark L. Lester |
Director |
|
Dolph Lundgren |
Chris Kenner |
|
Brandon Lee |
Johnny Murata |
|
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa |
Funekei Yoshida |
|
Tia Carere |
Minako Okeya |
|
Toshishiro Obata |
Sato |
|
genre |
Action |
|
rating |
R for strong
violence, and for language, sensuality and drug use |
|
production co(s) |
Warner Bros.
/ Little Tokyo Productions Inc. / Original Pictures |
|
budget |
$8 million (US) |
|
location(s) |
Los Angeles,
CA |
|
(Johnny) "We're gonna
nail this guy. And when we're done, we're gonna go eat raw fish
off of those naked chicks." |
|
- "Showdown In Little
Tokyo" has been released theatrically in U.S.A., Italy,
Mexico, Israel and Hungary (and Direct-To-Video in most territories).
- The picture, which only
got a limited release in the US, was heavily cut (and not for
violence) to 79 minutes. The opening scene notably, was much
longer, and featured Kenner's previous partner. A car chase inside
a mall is also cut out.
- Ranked #9 in the Hungarian
1992 Top 10 Overall Box Office Grosses, with $197,590 USD (source:
1994 Variety International Film Guide). |
|
Great smack-'em-up humourous
movie. Dolph and Lee make very entertaining partners, and both
of them fill the voids between action scenes with some pretty
witty lines. (see above) As far as action goes, you won't
be disappointed, with two fight scenes standing out - Lundgren
vs. Lee at the beginning (some amazing moves done by both) and
the final sword battle between Dolph and Tagawa. |
|
buy the soundtrack |
 |
WARNER BROS. presents
a MARK L. LESTER/MARTIN E. CAAN production a MARK L. LESTER film
DOLPH LUNDGREN BRANDON LEE "SHOWDOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO"
edited by STEVEN KEMPER & ROBERT A. FERRETTI, A.C.E. production
designer CRAIG STEARNS director of photography MARK IRWIN, C.S.C.
music by DAVID MICHAEL FRANK co-producer JOHN BRODERICK written
by STEPHEN GLANTZ & CALIOPE BATTLESTREET produced by MARK
L. LESTER and MARTIN E. CAAN
directed by MARK L. LESTER
back
to top |
