I'm a Michael Douglas fan and have spent quite some time in Japan. This movie has a lot of action to hold your interest, represents the Japan atmosphere well and has a great sound track and music. What more can you ask for?
August 9, 2008 |  | It's Raining Michael Douglas |  |
Black Rain, of all of Ridley Scott's movies, would also be remembered as that bastard cousin of Blade Runner - at least in its setting. Referencing his own classic noir style, Scott finds himself shooting in the real town of Osaka, with Douglas playing the devil-may-care, gung-ho, I'm-gonna-kill-that-sonuvab*tch cop on the loose. Shafts of light through rotating fans and blinds; neon lights in a dripping wet environment; and steam through manholes - Black Rain refers visually to Scott's earlier incarnation, but also feels more like brother Tony Scott's production because of the hard boiled slam-bang action.
Michael Douglas is in his typical 80s tough guy stance in this one, but has a great counterfoil in his Japanese co-stars - good cop Ken Takakura and villain Yusaka Matsuda - along with a few other dour Yakuza actors. Andy Garcia still looks fresh as the sidekick. All give great performances, so while the film is hackneyed in its own way - Black Rain is certainly watchable and rises convincingly above potential cliches by characterising the Japanese in a more well rounded way (- a rarity these days with Asian bad guys).
Will you learn anything about Japan here? Well, just a little. Douglas doesn't profess to show his Japanese friends that Americans do it better, but that co-operation is the key - and hence the end product feels a bit more genuine and balanced in terms of its portrayal of the East, in spite of the cowboy overtones. Other flicks to catch in this vein are Rising Sun and of course The Last Samurai. 3 1/2 stars.
August 6, 2008There is nothing better than seeing Michael Douglas in trouble! That always makes for a good movie, but kidding aside great story and good acting on behalf of all the actors.
July 14, 2008i bought this blu-ray because i already own the dvd..i was amazed how much sharper the picture was ..and the sound is extremely clear and loud. a great movie to have on blu-ray!!!!
March 1, 2008Black Rain at last a good quality transfer, Im sure it does not push the Blue Ray too its uppermost, but this is in my opinion a very underrated film. I think the film is just great and all the stars really make this film Douglas and Gracia really have a bound in this film, and Hans Zimmer
music is fantastic.. If you every come across the bootleg soundtrack of the film since the CD released does not come close to what was written for the film is really superb, what i really liked what's been missing from any other version I have of the film is the extras about the making of Black Rain.. A fantastic film A great buy and best of all god bless
the all region policy this film works on a UK player UNLESS Sony do a nasty with the firmware upgrade.
February 24, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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