American Yakuza (1993)

Expected more

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

"Nick Davis" (Viggo Mortensen) is an F.B.I. agent who has been sent on an undercover mission to infiltrate a warehouse owned and operated by the Yakuza. As it so happens, although they have a deal with the Italian Mafia, the boss named "Dino Campanela" (Michael Nouri) decides to double-cross his Japanese partners by sending some hit men to assassinate his main rival by the name of "Isshin Tendo" (John Fujioka) who just happens to be visiting that particular warehouse. Fortunately, Nick just happens to observe the armed gunmen sneaking into the warehouse and manages to thwart their efforts in time for Tendo to escape. However, one of Tendo's key lieutenants by the name of "Shuji Sawamoto" (Ryo Ishibashi) isn't so lucky as he is wounded in the ensuring chaos and is subsequently carried by Nick to a safe place and where he his wounds are treated. Grateful to Nick for saving his life, Shuji offers Nick a job working for him which results in serious repercussions for everyone involved. Now rather than reveal anymore I will just say that this was an enjoyable crime-drama which had an interesting plot, plenty of action and some good acting as well. I especially enjoyed the performances of both Viggo Mortensen and Ryo Ishibashi who worked very well together. Likewise, having an attractive actress like Anzu Lawson (as Nick's girlfriend "Yuko") certainly didn't hurt either. In any case, I liked this particular movie and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

American Yakuzua is a b-movie but it's a well done b-movie, it's got impressive action scenes, great performances, unique camera shots and good music.Some of the characters might seem a bit cliché but the movie is still enjoyable, the storyline between Nick and Shuji is where the movies power lies. The way Nick befriends him and starts to respect their customs but also becomes guilty that he's really an undercover agent who is trying to bring there organisation down is definitely interesting especially in a psychological way. The plot of the movie sees Undercover FBI agent David Brandt (Viggo Mortison) working has a dock worker under the false name of Nick Davis, when the Yakuza are attacked Nick helps them and saves second in command Shuji Sawamoto (Ryo Ishibashi). After healing his wounds Shuji thanks Nick and offers him the chance to work for them. Nick agrees and comes with him to a meeting between Shuji and the head of the Italian mafia Dino Campanela (Michael Nouri), Dino denies having anything to do with the attack but Shuji knows he's lying. Soon the Yakuza launch a attack on the Mafia wiping out several of Dino's men, this attack sparks a war between the Mafia and the Yakuza. Meanwhile Nick is getting more and more involved with the Yakuza and begins to become guilty that he's secretly betraying Shuji. Nick soon finds himself becoming romantically attached to Shuji's goddaughter and gets even further attached to the Yakuza when they make him a honorary member of their family. Eventullay Nick's boss Littman (Robert Forster) makes a deal with Dino to let them eliminate the Yakuza with any interference by the FBI or police. Nick is told he's off the case but ignores them and decides to put this war into his own hands.American Yakuza is a great blend of action, drama and romance all thrown together into one enjoyable combination. Check this film out. 10/10

And not just because of Viggo Mortensen and his growing bandwagon. "American Yakuza," readily recognized as the standard shoot-'em-up, literally "explosive," machismo fare, sub=genre gangland venue, for the legendary flick audience of 12-year-olds, is, on second viewing, sans captions for these unhearing ears, considerably more. Consider the subtexts, of which there are at least two, maybe three. Four? Whatever, the young man who was an "extra" on-set at least during the climactic "shoot," provides a fascinating glimpse into this slice of the growing Mortensen oeuvre, his on-set preparation for the elegiac conclusion of a "B" movie made for the telly. That insight jibes with everything published since about this singular American film actor, his focus, his intensities, his truths, AND his OTHER interests that include poetry and prose and even politics. Made in '93?, this film has style and substance deeper than the surface sheen, which is more than sufficiently glossy. But, even then, may I attempt to up-point several subtleties that, to me at least, deserve notation, to wit: 1: In the never-never-everland of mob and gangster pix even antedating the "godfathers," rarely has there, if ever, been sidebar comedy touches that seem authentic, like the music=tape scenes on the fateful collection rounds. 2: The even subtler stagings of the elegant "family" dinner and the formal induction of the alien soldier. 3: At least one Yankee compendium fails to even list Ryo Ishibashi in the cast whilst naming every American "name." which. to me, is like omitting EITHER Bogard OR Hepburn when "reviewing" "The African Queen" for posterity. 4: And, in that central and crucial and motivating regard lies the film's raison d'etre, which leads to . . 5: The apparent, to me at least, fact that "American Yakuza" is, at heart, more a fable about a father-son. teacher-disciple, man-boy nexus than a meditation on crime OR violence. Bottom line: As with ALL such contemplations, the homo-erotic element is not only key, it is the central fulcrum AND function. And here, I cite the climactic "love" scene of the dying "don" and the grieving "son," PLUS that stunning staircase descent with the body of the "father." I seem to recall, from that single viewing almost 60? years ago, of Olivier's "Hamlet," wherein his Horatio intones the deathless? lines of the Shakespearean iconolgy, "Good night, sweet Prince . . . " Therein, the eulogy "rises," up the flights of circular? steps, whereas, in this case, the mute eulogy DESCENDS the multiple staircase, precious cargo in arms, grief unworded, honor, AND love, struck dumb. The day hyperhormoned men, never mind the boys, begin to understand their true "loyalties" to their own sex the while they proclaim their lust for women, that will be the day when humanity finally comes to grips with both its "sexuality" AND its emotional ambivalences.

The plot offers very few surprises. It is a standard B-movie plot with formula characters.However, two things raise this movie from the usual B-movie fare.First, both Viggo Mortensen and Ryo Ishibashi turn in understated, yet thoughtful, performances that create chemistry and add a dimension of believability to their characters beyond what simply appears on-screen.Second, creative camera angles and striking visuals lend an air of intelligence and elegance to many of the key scenes in the movie.