Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Viggo Mortensen | ... | Nick Davis / David Brandt | |
Ryo Ishibashi | ... | Shuji Sawamoto | |
Michael Nouri | ... | Dino Campanela | |
Franklyn Ajaye | ... | Sam | |
Yuji Okumoto | ... | Kazuo | |
Anzu Lawson | ... | Yuko (as Cristina Lawson) | |
Robert Forster | ... | Littman | |
John Fujioka | ... | Isshin Tendo | |
Nicky Katt | ... | Vic | |
Jimmy Taenaka | ... | Taka (as James Katsuyuki Taenaka) | |
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Saiko Isshiki | ... | Aya |
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Fritz Mashimo | ... | Okazaki |
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Jeff Bankert | ... | Medical Student |
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Rosine 'Ace' Hatem | ... | Agent #1 |
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John Hammil | ... | Agent #2 |
When Nick Davis leaves prison after one year in solitaire, he is hired to operate forklift in a warehouse in the harbor owned by the Japanese Yakuza patriarch Isshin Tendo. The place is assaulted by the Italian Mafia leaded by Dino Campanela and Nick rescues and saves the life of Shuji Sawamoto, who is the representative of Yakuza interests in America. Shuji hires Nick to work for Yakuza and becomes his godfather in the family after his oath to join Yakuza. However, Nick is a lonely FBI undercover agent assigned to penetrate in the criminal organization. When the FBI discovers that Campanela is organizing a massive attack to destroy the Yakuza, Nick's boss Littman calls off the operation to leave the dirty work to the Italian Mafia. But the connection of Nick with Shuji and his goddaughter Yuko forces him to help his Japanese family. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Half way through watching this film I had the sudden suspicion that I had seen this film before but, after checking, discovered that I hadn't - and I think that signifies its biggest failing. Essentially it's by-the-numbers film-making, making use of every genre cliché which means it has a certain predictability about it.
Viggo Mortensen gives a decent performance, although for me his pretty boy looks means he's miscast in the role of an undercover cop who infiltrates the Yakuza, and the story is reasonably entertaining and fast-moving. The characterisation is fairly predictable though: wise older Japanese gangster, hot-headed younger gangster, cold-blooded Italian gangster, etc. The film sometimes looks as if it's heading in some interesting directions (the Italian mobster's verbally abused sidekick for example) but these turn into dead ends. The cinematography is first-class though. Successful on its own low-budget terms, the film will entertain those who watch without high expectations.