Amazon.com essential video

Complex to the point of being pleasingly convoluted, this Sydney Pollack film (from a terrific script by Robert Towne and Leonard and Paul Schrader) is an intriguing blend of Western and Asian sensibilities. Mitchum, in one of his best roles of the 1970s, is drawn to the Orient by an army buddy (Brian Keith), whose daughter has been kidnapped. But when he gets to Japan, Mitchum finds that her kidnappers are the shadowy Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia--an organization that is as vicious as it is tradition-bound. He must call on friends he made after World War II for favors and finds himself unintentionally trampling on issues of honor, even as he battles for his life and that of the girl he is seeking. Surprisingly heartfelt and deliciously exciting, the film features a sorrowful performance by Mitchum and a stoically touching one by Ken Takakura. And what great samurai swordplay! --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Robert Mitchum at his best
This movie is one of the best action films to be made in the seventies and late sixties. It stays away from the anti-establishment preachiness so popular during that time and goes for classic hard-boiled action. And, as noted by others ,also explores the concepts of honor and friendship. During this time period several of Hollywood's older leading men who had been real studs in the forties and early fifties (Mitchum, Holden, Brian Keith, John Wayne) were turning out some superior action movies with intelligent scripts. The Yakuza is no exception. Here you have two wildly different cultures meeting, clashing, but also finding much in common. Two strong and principled men working together, even though at first they dislike one another, both always having to work at staying true to their principles while dealing with the world and those who are not so ethical. Some might find the message that violence and vengence have a place in the scheme of things and can actually be cleansing to be disturbing, but this story is about two warriors(essentially). The warrior strives for perfection in many things, but pacifiscm isn't one of those. When one is betrayed by a friend,or one's blood is betrayed then retribution must be dealt to the betrayer and sometimes honor can only be restored by cutting off one's finger. To a Western viewer much of this is inconceivable - we're all to enlightened anymore, but I found this movie to have a ring of truth to it. Though when I recently watched it with my wife she found it to be somewhat grotesque. She loves the Lethal Weapon movies - which have as much substance to them as cotton candy. This movie is a much more solid piece of filmaking in which the violence has a place. I found it to be restrained and not gratuitous. It dosen't frolic in death and mayhem for it's own sake. But having said that the action pieces are fantastic. I also own Black Rain which is an okay action flick, but once you watch The Yakuza you'll see it for what it is - a pale imitation. Watch this movie if you get the chance. you won't regret it.

Not a martial arts movie: worth watching!
The Yakuza is certainly worth watching as both film noir and a look at post-war Japan. Mitchum and Ken, classic "tough guys" representing disparate cultures, form an unlikely "buddy team" in what is ultimately an exploration of differences in the Western and Japanese view of life and it's responsibilities. Great writing by Paul Schrader with Robert Towne doing the script doctoring.

A DVD version is now imperative!
This is the landmark film saga of the "tough guy" gangster with a heart of gold, both Japanese and American. In many ways and at many levels it represents an achievement decades ahead of it's time. Quentin Tarantino has obviously been inspired by this film for many of the key scenes of "Kill Bill: Part One", and as such has paid it great homage. It would seem quite likely that the creators of "The Yakuza" had some level of cooperation with actual Japanese organized crime syndicates during it's filming (it has that sense of realism, and the "extras" just look too good), and a behind the scenes account would likely prove fascinating.

A man always pays his debts . . .
Well, if this film doesn't put hair on your chest, nothing will.

Look up 'film noir' in the dictionary and there should be a picture of Robert Mitchum in The Yakuza, alongside Bogie in The Maltese Falcon. It's that good of a film.

The theme is about honor, or "giri." The last bastion of manhood in an relativistic world ambivalent towards heroism, unsure about any values, moral or otherwise, and gone to hell.

Against this background, you may be a tad on the shady side of the law, but do you keep faith with your friends?
For that matter, would you risk taking a bullet for someone you personally loathe but whom you "owe" because he's saved the life of your wife and child?

The plot begins when Mitchum is approached by an old army buddy that he hasn't heard from in decades, save for the annual obligatory Christmas card. His daughter's been kidnapped by Japanese mobsters and he needs his help.

As to Mitchum, his character is established in one line.
"You've been successful?"
Mitchum: "That depends on how you figure those things."

True enough. He has no family, no friends, no one even remotely close. The film noir loner, now in his sixties.

He goes back to Japan, links up with the only woman he ever loved, and the one enemy who can help him gain entry into the dark world of the Yakuza; an ultra-traditionalist latter-day Samurai ( Tanaka Ken ) who "owes" Mitchum.

One small problem, he's no longer a Yakuza. He's been out of the mob for years. When Mitchum finds out this unpleasant bit of inforation and blurts out "I can't ask you to do that!" Tanaka Ken quietly replies: "You already have."

The aged warriors go to it again. A great story of love and betrayal. Acted in a style of understated whispers between flashing katanas that bring the house down.

PUT IT ON DVD PLEASE!...
I have never seen this particular version of the video. I have the original one that came out and guard it jealously! What I cannot understand is why this movie has never been released on DVD!... There are so many underlying themes throughout this movie besides that of the main plot of betrayal by old Army buddies and the honor gained through the loyalty of newly formed friendship between Mitchum and Ken. I've often wondered if I would experience the same feelings Mitchum experienced coming back to Tokyo, if I went back to Saigon and saw those I knew back when I was in Nam. What a feeling to see how much things had changed and yet remained the same. There are many deep themes explored in this movie. Definitely one of Sidney Pollack's more under rated, yet finer films for nuance!... I highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants more than swords and blood. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

mr baseball
This movie is very interesting.Of course the culture or tradition of Japan is exaggerated and described as very stereotypical (it is all the more fun to us), but it more clearly tell the Japanese many faults we have to change.That is we Japanese have to be independent, or had better have a fun in playing.And not only the Japanese but also the American will learn the good aside of the way of opposide country, accepting or uniting.Whether you are Japanese or American, this movie median between us will case good effect to you.You'll laugh and learn because there are extreme different cultures.

Mr. Baseball...Mr Lameball!!
Tom Selleck modestly claims that he has no big screen presence and proves it again in this film. MR BASEBALL is not only a bad baseball movie, its a bad movie all together. When this film was finally released on video after it's VERY SHORT theatrical release in 1992, at the video store that I frequented, it ended up on the shelf that stated "RENT FOR FREE - IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS VIDEO, YOU DON'T PAY THE RENTAL FEES!" The story of an aging baseball veteran going to finish off his career playing in the Japanese big leagues should have been a great movie. However, again, as in all movies involving asians, the Japanese are given the cartoony stereotypical treatment along with the lame love story involving the attractive asian girl (And surprise!! She happens to be the Japanese Manager's daughter!) with the foriegn caucasian newcomer. Why do they always do that? There is an underlining message of the differences of Japanese and American baseball. In Japanese baseball, the whole team is more important than the individual accolades. Well, there was too much of it in this film (I learned more about that in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, than in this movie). Then, also trying to teach Selleck's character (Jack Elliot) about respect to everything Japanese wore thin as the movie progressed. At the same time he's teaching the team about being Americanized and that was lame also. The film is very boring, the direction and cinematography did not do Japan justice, the characters are predictable, the love story is a death scene short of the film SAYONARA, and the baseball action is generic and not very exciting. Overall, not a very good tribute to the American Pastime, but more of an insult to the Japanese pastime. If you want to learn more about Japanese baseball, read YOU GOTTA HAVE WA by Robert Whiting. It's more entertaining than this drivel. And anyway...Bob Uecker is the real Mr. Baseball. Note:Look for Dennis Haysbert as Max "Hammer" Dubois in the film. He played the hilarious Pedro Cerrano(the voodoo practicing baseball player) in the superior baseball comedy film MAJOR LEAGUE.

WOW!!!!!!
at first i was skeptical about tom sellick coming out of the role of magnum "from magnum pi" but once i started watching mr baseball, wow the way it brings japanese and american culture togather has not been seen since the karate kid 2. one of the most heartwarming scenes is when he goes to his girlfriends fathers house and his girlfriends father is his manager that he did not get along with.they have a discussion about baseball and life that will stick with you for the remander of your days. this is the most epic film in the history of modern cinima.with his performance in mr baseball tom selleck has catapulted his name into the list of greatest actors. now when you think pacino, brando, bogart you have to also put sellick in that list if not at the top. to say mr baseball changed my life would be an understatment. mr baseball changed the world.

Worlds collide, no one leaves unchanged
Tom Selleck plays Jack Elliot in this funny and insightful comedy about an American baseball player 'demoted' to the Japanese league. It has all the cultural in-jokes that you'd expect including "Taking a bath before washing", "Wearing shoes indoors", and "You say one thing, the translator will make it sound nice".

But at the heart of the movie, the story is all about accepting foreign culture. Jack butts heads with Japanese culture. He is loose, relaxed, and immature. The Japanese are tight, uptight, and very serious. As long as everyone sees him as an outsider, they will respect him in public but doubt him in private, and he will never truly fit in.

After a series of humiliating losses, he finally reaches the point where he realizes that his strength and skill are not enough to defeat his problems and he turns to the coach and Japanese culture to help him overcome his ego. The coach admonishes him to stop feeding off of his past successes lest he eat all those successes away, look only to the future in other words. He does so and the rest of the movie shows Elliot becoming stronger in the stadium and spiritual world. By embracing the Japanese Way, he becomes a better person.

However, the flip side to this movie is that the Japanese Way has led to a failing baseball team. Despite the coach's best efforts to harangue the players into playing well, they are too gunshy to play their best. It isn't until the coach accepts that the softer method of coaching based on encouraging the players and fostering a team spirit that the team's slump ends. Jack Elliot made his own mark on the team by bringing trademark American-style attitude to the team.

In the end the message is clear. At the micro-level, the Japanese style of living with its emphasis on detail, cooperation, and austerity is beneficial, and the American style emphasizing laziness, freedom, and individuality is detrimental. At the macro-level, though, the message is quite the opposite. Success is brought by each individual's freedom to make mistakes, being relaxed, and not having an oppressive culture looming above.

It's a fun movie with a lot of insight into the Japanese culture as well as insight into American culture. Well worth renting at least once.

from Aizu high school
This movie is very interesting.Of course the culture or tradition of Japan is exaggerated and described as very stereotypical (it is all the more fun to us), but it more clearly tell the Japanese many faults we have to change.That is we Japanese have to be independent, or had better have a fun in playing.And not only the Japanese but also the American will learn the good aside of the way of opposide country, accepting or uniting.Whether you are Japanese or American, this movie median between us will case good effect to you.You'll laugh and learn because there are extreme different cultures. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A great classic
Hello! This movie is a great classic (in fact the only one!)for antarctica fans. The soundtrack is really magical and the incredible light of the movie make it "old-fashioned" and really interesting! Enjoy it!

Just one advice: GET IT
Hi! I'm from Milan, Italy, and I looked for this movie SO MUCH since I watched it in Italian at least ten years ago. Never found it anymore. I would *LOVE* to get it in DVD, especially because it's impossible for us to get it here. Too bad. Like I said, just go get it. IT'S MUCH MORE THAN WORTH! You can really discover how real geniuses can touch the right "ropes" of our souls and make us cry like children. Not just for animal lovers (I'd recommend it to really ANYONE!). Great, definitively.

Fascinating
Superb films. I liked it so I bought it when it was still very expensive. Should be brought out in DVD to capture the full beauty.

beautiful
This is beautiful masterpiece !!
It has touched the hearts in Japan and one feels a great emotion.
It is a kind of lecture for life, love and help.
The music (by Vangelis) is superb !!
It would be nice to have this release in dvd.

NOT A REGULAR MOVIE! YES, MUST BRING BACK TO STORES!
a gorgeous and devastating film. witnessing not only the huskies' emotion-wrenching plight but also the heartbreak and devotion of the scientist who brought the dogs is almost too much to bear; and not just for animal-lovers but for anyone with a pulse. the movie is so absorbant, one does not even realize they are reading subtitles! i cried tears of joy and sorrow.
truly, a masterpiece on all aesthetic, emotional, and technical levels! ... Read more

Description

MAKE A REAL KILLING IN THE BUSINESS WORLD!
Meet Duke Togo, better known as Golgo 13, the ultimate hitman for hire. Ruthless, cold-blooded and lethal, Golgo is an arcane legend amongst killers.Fulfilling a contract to assassinate the son of a notorious industrial tycoon, Golgo is caught in the crosshairs of the most relentless forces that money can buy.It is the ultimate test of survival; betrayal and murder hide in every corner, making every city unsafe, every friend an enemy.

Warning: Recommended for mature audiences.Contains violence, nudity, and sexual situations.Parental discretion advised.

... Read more

Reviews (22)

One of the best anime of all time.
Based on one of the most long-running manga series in Japan, Golgo 13: The Professional is simply one of the best action films ever made. Right from the start you'll notice that this anime has a huge retro spin on it, with its split-screen effects and such. Golgo 13 is looking good; sharp and deadly. The soundtrack seemed kind of unfitting for me after seeing Golgo 13: Queen Bee, but I found there were a lot of memorable retro songs in the movie. For those who don't care much, the plot is simple, but the analytical can delve as far into the meaning of it as they want- just like in Golgo 13: Queen Bee. Having this quality is definitely a good thing for the story. The Dawson Building finale definitely was the highest point in the movie, outdated computer-animated helicopter scenes aside. The action and intrigue never really stops, and the movies ending provides a rather unexpected turn. Thankfully, Urban Vision has re-released this classic, as it was originally released by Streamline, which is famous for its [bad] dubs. In the dub, people swear constantly just because they can, and it really begins to sound stupid after a while. Lieutenant Braygon yells just about every expletive in the book, at about 20 cuss words a minute. The subtitled version has nowhere near the amount of ridiculous cussing, and better voice actors as expected.

Sure, it can be over the top sometimes, but, as they say, Golgo 13 makes the impossible possible. Go see it.

One of the best anime ever released.
Based on one of the most long-running manga series in Japan, Golgo 13: The Professional is simply one of the best action films ever made. Right from the start you'll notice that this anime has a huge retro spin on it, with its split-screen effects and such. Golgo 13 is looking good; sharp and deadly. The soundtrack seemed kind of unfitting for me after seeing Golgo 13: Queen Bee, but I found there were a lot of memorable retro songs in the movie. For those who don't care much, the plot is simple, but the analytical can delve as far into the meaning of it as they want- just like in Golgo 13: Queen Bee. Having this quality is definitely a good thing for the story. The Dawson Building finale definitely was the highest point in the movie, outdated computer-animated helicopter scenes aside. The action and intrigue never really stops, and the movies ending provides a rather unexpected turn.

Thankfully, Urban Vision has re-released this classic, as it was originally released by Streamline, which is famous for its crappy dubs. In the dub, people swear constantly just because they can, and it really begins to sound stupid after a while. Lieutenant Braygon yells just about every expletive in the book, at about 20 cuss words a minute. The subtitled version has nowhere near the amount of ridiculous cussing, and better voice actors as expected.

Sure, it can be over the top sometimes, but, as they say, Golgo 13 makes the impossible possible. Go see it.

An Underrated Classic
I consider "The Professional: Golgo 13" to be the "Usual Suspects" of anime. It has a developed characters, a fascinating storyline, good action, and a kick-in-the-butt surprise ending. I was blown away by this the first time I watched it, and watched it five times in one night because I was so impressed. The minute I saw a video copy of it at Suncoast I bought it without another thought.

The opening scene of the film shows Duke Torgo (aka Golgo 13) killing the son of a wealthy oil tycoon. Using his money and influence, the tycoon vows revenge. At first you may not care since his revenge seems justified, but as the movie continues you begin to see who the characters really are. Duke isn't a cold-hearted killer as we first thought, and Leonard Dawson, the oil tycoon, quickly stops being the kind of character you want to root for, especially after selling his daughter-in-law off to the perverted hitman Snake in return for services. "The Professional" gives you false first impressions and then reveals the characters slowly through the action and dialogue.

Some complain about the animation, but those people clearly aren't fair as it is more a sign of what time this film was made. For me, the character designs were well detailed and the animation didn't bug me so much because of the storyline and characters. The surprise ending is icing on the cake.

Now I am waiting for the day they release this on DVD. The minute I see it on DVD is the minute I buy it. Even if I have to overdraw from my bank account.

Not very good
Plot is OK. I live in San Francisco but still I don't mind the animation quality nor reality of location (San francisco as well as Italy etc). But I hate its excessive Sex (and rape too) and Violence. All pointless. There are so many better animations out there. Why bother? Do not waste your time and money.

One of the first anime films...
This is an anime classic, with lots of action and an interesting storyline. It had some very good graphics for its time! The film focuses on a killer named Duke Togo, code named Golgo 13, who one of the trained proffesionals that works as a hitman. It has at least 10 F-bombs, and that's okay. The violence is brutal, and there is nudity. The animation was [bad], though... But it must have been amazing to see 20 years ago. Anyway, it was a great action/thriller. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

A guilty pleasure if ever there was one, Black Rain is a ridiculously entertaining thriller by Ridley Scott (Alien), starring Michael Douglas as a tough New York cop who--along with his partner (Andy Garcia)--goes to Japan to deliver a local mobster. When the latter escapes, Douglas's brand of gonzo crime fighting rubs his Japanese hosts the wrong way. Slick, mechanistic, and absurd, the film is all surface action and attitude (not to mention Scott's incredibly busy, trademark art direction); and one can get lost in the sheer indulgence of it. However, if you can buy Douglas as an iconoclastic lawman, you can buy anything else here, including the notion of Kate Capshaw as a blonde escort highly desired by Japanese businessmen. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Brilliant movie - Insulting visual transfer
Before I review Black Rain, let me tell you that I agree with some of the previous reviewers that the picture quality of this DVD (its better on VHS) is totally unacceptable. When I first watched it, I had to check my cable connections to make sure they weren't at fault. What a let-down. Mr. Scott should be raising hell over this.

With that said, this is one of my favorite action movies. It portrays Detective Nick Conklin (Michael Douglas) as an outgoing, old-school cop who takes moral short-cuts to get the job done. His partner, a relatively new Detective (Andy Garcia) is along for the ride. They have a run-in with a Japanese mobster (Yakuza) named Sato. After arresting Sato for commiting two murders in a New York restaurant, the Detectives are ordered to escort him back to Japan to face charges there. They manage to let Sato escape as he arrives in Japan. A Japanese Detective (Ken Takarara) is assigned to help out the New York Detectives.

Douglas, Garcia and Takarara are excellenty cast in their respective roles. The screenplay is well written. I must say that the cinematography is really good. Japan, the once-conquered nation, is now an industrial powerhouse. But, like the U.S., it suffers from the ills of corruption and violence. Ridley Scott does a great job of showing the tension between the two cultures. The Japanese, "bound by duty and honor", and the Americans, loud and outspoken, are viewed as somewhat obnoxious by their counterparts. The musical score is incredible. Hans Zimmer really brings this movie to life with an array of Japanese and American-themed music that injects just the right amount of tension for the corresponding scene. Brilliantly done.

This movie is 5-Star material, but the DVD version is a huge disapointment. I would wait to see if a special edition DVD comes out (I can only hope) with the video quality this movie deserves.

"It started to rain... Black rain."
Another masterpiece from director Ridley Scott, Black Rain stars Michael Douglas as Nick Conklin, an NY cop who is under pressure from internal affairs and has just had a divorce. Along with him is his happy-go-lucky partner Charlie (Andy Garcia), who loves a good time (it's weird how they call each other "babe"). After arresting Japanese Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) boss Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), they are assinged to return him to Japan. When Sato escapes and humiliates the cops, Nick is determined to bring him in, but has to cope with the strict ways of the Japanese law enforcement. With the help of the by-the-book cop Masahiro (Ken Takakura), Nick vows to bring Sato down. With great supporting actors/actresses, good story, and great action, it's great for any person who likes action or Michael Douglas. It's only real flay is its absurdity, but that's not going to stop you from seeing it, is it?

Culture Clash
Black Rain may not have some of the epic qualities of other Ridley Scott films, like Blade Runner, Gladiator, or even Black Hawk Down, but it is still a solid cop thrller/fish out of water story.

Just as New York detective Mike Conklin (Michael Douglas) faces an investigation for corruption, Japan's yakuza hit man Sato (Yusaku Matsuda) kills two American mobsters in New York, he's then extradited to Osaka to face trial. Conklin and his partner Charlie Vincent (Andy Garcia) are assigned as his escorts back home. Mistakenly turning over their prisoner to yakuza disguised as police, Conklin and Vincent realize, after running down some blind alleys, that they have no chance of finding Sato in the unfamiliar city and enlist the services of Japanese desk cop Masahiro "Mas" Masumoto (Ken Takakura). While relaxing with Mas at a karaoke bar, the cops also get information on the world of the yakuza from Joyce Kinglsey (Kate Capshaw), a high-class bargirl. As they continue the search for Sato, the scrupulous, methodical, and civilized style of Japanese police work rubs the improvisational, rule-breaking Americans the wrong way. All three men must find a way to work together though, to succeed.

Scott certainly knows how to keep the action moving at a nice pace. Douglas is very good playing yet another cop on the edge. A very young Garcia makes the most of a fairly predictable role. Takakura gets along well with his "american" compatriots. His character is as much out of his element, while adjusting to the two westerners, as the two americans are. This makes the film even more fun. Special mention has to be made of the superb photography of future director Jan de Bont, who had just come off of Die Hard, in the movie. The Japan backdrop looks great and is at its grittiest. The film's biggest problem lies within its script. Some of its twists are easy to forecast before they occur. Fortunately though, everything else works pretty well, so as not to bring down the flick.

I like Black Rain a whole lot and would welcome a special edition DVD release of the movie. As it stands right now though, the current disc only has the theatrical trailer, for its bonus material. Since most Ridley Scott films make for great SE DVDs, I'm sure if done right, Black Rain would be as well. Recommended.

A guilt-free pleasure
I'm not sure why this movie is described as a 'guilty pleasure'. I don't feel at all bad about liking it. And I do like it, a lot.

For one thing, I like Michael Douglas. I liked him thirty years ago in _The Streets of San Francisco_, I liked him even better after he turned _One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest_ from a great book and a great stage play into a great motion picture, and I've kept right on liking him every time he's gotten himself cast in a stylish, well-scripted film.

And this _is_ a stylish, well-scripted film. It's every bit as dark as you expect from Ridley Scott, and although there's a fairly well-defined villain, the 'heroes' are morally ambiguous. I like that in a movie.

The reviewers who say Michael Douglas's character Nick Conklin is an 'ugly American' are right, but they seem to have missed the fact that this is part of the point. This film is a fairly ambitious, though not terribly deep, attempt to bring off an East-meets-West theme in what looks superficially like just another buddy-cop movie. The 'black rain' of the title is one of the aftereffects of the nuking of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and it's the symbolic stand-in for the Western 'decadence' bemoaned by the more traditional Nipponese (even the crime bosses).

But that doesn't mean Japan wins the dramatic argument. On the contrary, the Nipponese cop (played with endearing self-effacement by Ken Takakura) learns a few things from his new cowboy friend 'Nick-san' too. (And the karaoke scene with Takakura and Andy Garcia is priceless.)

Kate Capshaw doesn't really need an excuse to appear in a film, and that's good, because here she doesn't really have one. She's an expatriate American who inexplicably keeps turning up at the center of the action. She gives the film a bit of _Casablanca_-like flavor, but it's more a matter of mood than anything else.

I won't tell you anything about the plot except that it involves the Japanese underworld and that it zips along at a fast clip. Don't look away or you'll miss something.

The whole thing is rendered most atmospherically, with the sort of dark and brooding edge that I like in a film (and at which Ridley Scott excels). In general I'm not the biggest fan of Hans Zimmer's scores, but for the most part he's used pretty effectively here.

This is a first-rate action-adventure thriller, and I don't feel the slightest bit 'guilty' for taking a very great deal of pleasure in it.

Perfect Ridley Scott
One of my favorite films--if for no other reason, it is signature Scott. However, it is a very good film all around! Douglas, Takakura and Capshaw were outstanding! Some may not like the genre or Scott, hence, some of the reviews. A caution: Be sure to read the reviewer's comments about the quality of the DVD version on down the list. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

mr baseball
This movie is very interesting.Of course the culture or tradition of Japan is exaggerated and described as very stereotypical (it is all the more fun to us), but it more clearly tell the Japanese many faults we have to change.That is we Japanese have to be independent, or had better have a fun in playing.And not only the Japanese but also the American will learn the good aside of the way of opposide country, accepting or uniting.Whether you are Japanese or American, this movie median between us will case good effect to you.You'll laugh and learn because there are extreme different cultures.

Mr. Baseball...Mr Lameball!!
Tom Selleck modestly claims that he has no big screen presence and proves it again in this film. MR BASEBALL is not only a bad baseball movie, its a bad movie all together. When this film was finally released on video after it's VERY SHORT theatrical release in 1992, at the video store that I frequented, it ended up on the shelf that stated "RENT FOR FREE - IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS VIDEO, YOU DON'T PAY THE RENTAL FEES!" The story of an aging baseball veteran going to finish off his career playing in the Japanese big leagues should have been a great movie. However, again, as in all movies involving asians, the Japanese are given the cartoony stereotypical treatment along with the lame love story involving the attractive asian girl (And surprise!! She happens to be the Japanese Manager's daughter!) with the foriegn caucasian newcomer. Why do they always do that? There is an underlining message of the differences of Japanese and American baseball. In Japanese baseball, the whole team is more important than the individual accolades. Well, there was too much of it in this film (I learned more about that in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, than in this movie). Then, also trying to teach Selleck's character (Jack Elliot) about respect to everything Japanese wore thin as the movie progressed. At the same time he's teaching the team about being Americanized and that was lame also. The film is very boring, the direction and cinematography did not do Japan justice, the characters are predictable, the love story is a death scene short of the film SAYONARA, and the baseball action is generic and not very exciting. Overall, not a very good tribute to the American Pastime, but more of an insult to the Japanese pastime. If you want to learn more about Japanese baseball, read YOU GOTTA HAVE WA by Robert Whiting. It's more entertaining than this drivel. And anyway...Bob Uecker is the real Mr. Baseball. Note:Look for Dennis Haysbert as Max "Hammer" Dubois in the film. He played the hilarious Pedro Cerrano(the voodoo practicing baseball player) in the superior baseball comedy film MAJOR LEAGUE.

WOW!!!!!!
at first i was skeptical about tom sellick coming out of the role of magnum "from magnum pi" but once i started watching mr baseball, wow the way it brings japanese and american culture togather has not been seen since the karate kid 2. one of the most heartwarming scenes is when he goes to his girlfriends fathers house and his girlfriends father is his manager that he did not get along with.they have a discussion about baseball and life that will stick with you for the remander of your days. this is the most epic film in the history of modern cinima.with his performance in mr baseball tom selleck has catapulted his name into the list of greatest actors. now when you think pacino, brando, bogart you have to also put sellick in that list if not at the top. to say mr baseball changed my life would be an understatment. mr baseball changed the world.

Worlds collide, no one leaves unchanged
Tom Selleck plays Jack Elliot in this funny and insightful comedy about an American baseball player 'demoted' to the Japanese league. It has all the cultural in-jokes that you'd expect including "Taking a bath before washing", "Wearing shoes indoors", and "You say one thing, the translator will make it sound nice".

But at the heart of the movie, the story is all about accepting foreign culture. Jack butts heads with Japanese culture. He is loose, relaxed, and immature. The Japanese are tight, uptight, and very serious. As long as everyone sees him as an outsider, they will respect him in public but doubt him in private, and he will never truly fit in.

After a series of humiliating losses, he finally reaches the point where he realizes that his strength and skill are not enough to defeat his problems and he turns to the coach and Japanese culture to help him overcome his ego. The coach admonishes him to stop feeding off of his past successes lest he eat all those successes away, look only to the future in other words. He does so and the rest of the movie shows Elliot becoming stronger in the stadium and spiritual world. By embracing the Japanese Way, he becomes a better person.

However, the flip side to this movie is that the Japanese Way has led to a failing baseball team. Despite the coach's best efforts to harangue the players into playing well, they are too gunshy to play their best. It isn't until the coach accepts that the softer method of coaching based on encouraging the players and fostering a team spirit that the team's slump ends. Jack Elliot made his own mark on the team by bringing trademark American-style attitude to the team.

In the end the message is clear. At the micro-level, the Japanese style of living with its emphasis on detail, cooperation, and austerity is beneficial, and the American style emphasizing laziness, freedom, and individuality is detrimental. At the macro-level, though, the message is quite the opposite. Success is brought by each individual's freedom to make mistakes, being relaxed, and not having an oppressive culture looming above.

It's a fun movie with a lot of insight into the Japanese culture as well as insight into American culture. Well worth renting at least once.

from Aizu high school
This movie is very interesting.Of course the culture or tradition of Japan is exaggerated and described as very stereotypical (it is all the more fun to us), but it more clearly tell the Japanese many faults we have to change.That is we Japanese have to be independent, or had better have a fun in playing.And not only the Japanese but also the American will learn the good aside of the way of opposide country, accepting or uniting.Whether you are Japanese or American, this movie median between us will case good effect to you.You'll laugh and learn because there are extreme different cultures. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Brilliant movie - Insulting visual transfer
Before I review Black Rain, let me tell you that I agree with some of the previous reviewers that the picture quality of this DVD (its better on VHS) is totally unacceptable. When I first watched it, I had to check my cable connections to make sure they weren't at fault. What a let-down. Mr. Scott should be raising hell over this.

With that said, this is one of my favorite action movies. It portrays Detective Nick Conklin (Michael Douglas) as an outgoing, old-school cop who takes moral short-cuts to get the job done. His partner, a relatively new Detective (Andy Garcia) is along for the ride. They have a run-in with a Japanese mobster (Yakuza) named Sato. After arresting Sato for commiting two murders in a New York restaurant, the Detectives are ordered to escort him back to Japan to face charges there. They manage to let Sato escape as he arrives in Japan. A Japanese Detective (Ken Takarara) is assigned to help out the New York Detectives.

Douglas, Garcia and Takarara are excellenty cast in their respective roles. The screenplay is well written. I must say that the cinematography is really good. Japan, the once-conquered nation, is now an industrial powerhouse. But, like the U.S., it suffers from the ills of corruption and violence. Ridley Scott does a great job of showing the tension between the two cultures. The Japanese, "bound by duty and honor", and the Americans, loud and outspoken, are viewed as somewhat obnoxious by their counterparts. The musical score is incredible. Hans Zimmer really brings this movie to life with an array of Japanese and American-themed music that injects just the right amount of tension for the corresponding scene. Brilliantly done.

This movie is 5-Star material, but the DVD version is a huge disapointment. I would wait to see if a special edition DVD comes out (I can only hope) with the video quality this movie deserves.

"It started to rain... Black rain."
Another masterpiece from director Ridley Scott, Black Rain stars Michael Douglas as Nick Conklin, an NY cop who is under pressure from internal affairs and has just had a divorce. Along with him is his happy-go-lucky partner Charlie (Andy Garcia), who loves a good time (it's weird how they call each other "babe"). After arresting Japanese Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) boss Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), they are assinged to return him to Japan. When Sato escapes and humiliates the cops, Nick is determined to bring him in, but has to cope with the strict ways of the Japanese law enforcement. With the help of the by-the-book cop Masahiro (Ken Takakura), Nick vows to bring Sato down. With great supporting actors/actresses, good story, and great action, it's great for any person who likes action or Michael Douglas. It's only real flay is its absurdity, but that's not going to stop you from seeing it, is it?

Culture Clash
Black Rain may not have some of the epic qualities of other Ridley Scott films, like Blade Runner, Gladiator, or even Black Hawk Down, but it is still a solid cop thrller/fish out of water story.

Just as New York detective Mike Conklin (Michael Douglas) faces an investigation for corruption, Japan's yakuza hit man Sato (Yusaku Matsuda) kills two American mobsters in New York, he's then extradited to Osaka to face trial. Conklin and his partner Charlie Vincent (Andy Garcia) are assigned as his escorts back home. Mistakenly turning over their prisoner to yakuza disguised as police, Conklin and Vincent realize, after running down some blind alleys, that they have no chance of finding Sato in the unfamiliar city and enlist the services of Japanese desk cop Masahiro "Mas" Masumoto (Ken Takakura). While relaxing with Mas at a karaoke bar, the cops also get information on the world of the yakuza from Joyce Kinglsey (Kate Capshaw), a high-class bargirl. As they continue the search for Sato, the scrupulous, methodical, and civilized style of Japanese police work rubs the improvisational, rule-breaking Americans the wrong way. All three men must find a way to work together though, to succeed.

Scott certainly knows how to keep the action moving at a nice pace. Douglas is very good playing yet another cop on the edge. A very young Garcia makes the most of a fairly predictable role. Takakura gets along well with his "american" compatriots. His character is as much out of his element, while adjusting to the two westerners, as the two americans are. This makes the film even more fun. Special mention has to be made of the superb photography of future director Jan de Bont, who had just come off of Die Hard, in the movie. The Japan backdrop looks great and is at its grittiest. The film's biggest problem lies within its script. Some of its twists are easy to forecast before they occur. Fortunately though, everything else works pretty well, so as not to bring down the flick.

I like Black Rain a whole lot and would welcome a special edition DVD release of the movie. As it stands right now though, the current disc only has the theatrical trailer, for its bonus material. Since most Ridley Scott films make for great SE DVDs, I'm sure if done right, Black Rain would be as well. Recommended.

A guilt-free pleasure
I'm not sure why this movie is described as a 'guilty pleasure'. I don't feel at all bad about liking it. And I do like it, a lot.

For one thing, I like Michael Douglas. I liked him thirty years ago in _The Streets of San Francisco_, I liked him even better after he turned _One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest_ from a great book and a great stage play into a great motion picture, and I've kept right on liking him every time he's gotten himself cast in a stylish, well-scripted film.

And this _is_ a stylish, well-scripted film. It's every bit as dark as you expect from Ridley Scott, and although there's a fairly well-defined villain, the 'heroes' are morally ambiguous. I like that in a movie.

The reviewers who say Michael Douglas's character Nick Conklin is an 'ugly American' are right, but they seem to have missed the fact that this is part of the point. This film is a fairly ambitious, though not terribly deep, attempt to bring off an East-meets-West theme in what looks superficially like just another buddy-cop movie. The 'black rain' of the title is one of the aftereffects of the nuking of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and it's the symbolic stand-in for the Western 'decadence' bemoaned by the more traditional Nipponese (even the crime bosses).

But that doesn't mean Japan wins the dramatic argument. On the contrary, the Nipponese cop (played with endearing self-effacement by Ken Takakura) learns a few things from his new cowboy friend 'Nick-san' too. (And the karaoke scene with Takakura and Andy Garcia is priceless.)

Kate Capshaw doesn't really need an excuse to appear in a film, and that's good, because here she doesn't really have one. She's an expatriate American who inexplicably keeps turning up at the center of the action. She gives the film a bit of _Casablanca_-like flavor, but it's more a matter of mood than anything else.

I won't tell you anything about the plot except that it involves the Japanese underworld and that it zips along at a fast clip. Don't look away or you'll miss something.

The whole thing is rendered most atmospherically, with the sort of dark and brooding edge that I like in a film (and at which Ridley Scott excels). In general I'm not the biggest fan of Hans Zimmer's scores, but for the most part he's used pretty effectively here.

This is a first-rate action-adventure thriller, and I don't feel the slightest bit 'guilty' for taking a very great deal of pleasure in it.

Perfect Ridley Scott
One of my favorite films--if for no other reason, it is signature Scott. However, it is a very good film all around! Douglas, Takakura and Capshaw were outstanding! Some may not like the genre or Scott, hence, some of the reviews. A caution: Be sure to read the reviewer's comments about the quality of the DVD version on down the list. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

One of the best anime of all time.
Based on one of the most long-running manga series in Japan, Golgo 13: The Professional is simply one of the best action films ever made. Right from the start you'll notice that this anime has a huge retro spin on it, with its split-screen effects and such. Golgo 13 is looking good; sharp and deadly. The soundtrack seemed kind of unfitting for me after seeing Golgo 13: Queen Bee, but I found there were a lot of memorable retro songs in the movie. For those who don't care much, the plot is simple, but the analytical can delve as far into the meaning of it as they want- just like in Golgo 13: Queen Bee. Having this quality is definitely a good thing for the story. The Dawson Building finale definitely was the highest point in the movie, outdated computer-animated helicopter scenes aside. The action and intrigue never really stops, and the movies ending provides a rather unexpected turn. Thankfully, Urban Vision has re-released this classic, as it was originally released by Streamline, which is famous for its [bad] dubs. In the dub, people swear constantly just because they can, and it really begins to sound stupid after a while. Lieutenant Braygon yells just about every expletive in the book, at about 20 cuss words a minute. The subtitled version has nowhere near the amount of ridiculous cussing, and better voice actors as expected.

Sure, it can be over the top sometimes, but, as they say, Golgo 13 makes the impossible possible. Go see it.

One of the best anime ever released.
Based on one of the most long-running manga series in Japan, Golgo 13: The Professional is simply one of the best action films ever made. Right from the start you'll notice that this anime has a huge retro spin on it, with its split-screen effects and such. Golgo 13 is looking good; sharp and deadly. The soundtrack seemed kind of unfitting for me after seeing Golgo 13: Queen Bee, but I found there were a lot of memorable retro songs in the movie. For those who don't care much, the plot is simple, but the analytical can delve as far into the meaning of it as they want- just like in Golgo 13: Queen Bee. Having this quality is definitely a good thing for the story. The Dawson Building finale definitely was the highest point in the movie, outdated computer-animated helicopter scenes aside. The action and intrigue never really stops, and the movies ending provides a rather unexpected turn.

Thankfully, Urban Vision has re-released this classic, as it was originally released by Streamline, which is famous for its crappy dubs. In the dub, people swear constantly just because they can, and it really begins to sound stupid after a while. Lieutenant Braygon yells just about every expletive in the book, at about 20 cuss words a minute. The subtitled version has nowhere near the amount of ridiculous cussing, and better voice actors as expected.

Sure, it can be over the top sometimes, but, as they say, Golgo 13 makes the impossible possible. Go see it.

An Underrated Classic
I consider "The Professional: Golgo 13" to be the "Usual Suspects" of anime. It has a developed characters, a fascinating storyline, good action, and a kick-in-the-butt surprise ending. I was blown away by this the first time I watched it, and watched it five times in one night because I was so impressed. The minute I saw a video copy of it at Suncoast I bought it without another thought.

The opening scene of the film shows Duke Torgo (aka Golgo 13) killing the son of a wealthy oil tycoon. Using his money and influence, the tycoon vows revenge. At first you may not care since his revenge seems justified, but as the movie continues you begin to see who the characters really are. Duke isn't a cold-hearted killer as we first thought, and Leonard Dawson, the oil tycoon, quickly stops being the kind of character you want to root for, especially after selling his daughter-in-law off to the perverted hitman Snake in return for services. "The Professional" gives you false first impressions and then reveals the characters slowly through the action and dialogue.

Some complain about the animation, but those people clearly aren't fair as it is more a sign of what time this film was made. For me, the character designs were well detailed and the animation didn't bug me so much because of the storyline and characters. The surprise ending is icing on the cake.

Now I am waiting for the day they release this on DVD. The minute I see it on DVD is the minute I buy it. Even if I have to overdraw from my bank account.

Not very good
Plot is OK. I live in San Francisco but still I don't mind the animation quality nor reality of location (San francisco as well as Italy etc). But I hate its excessive Sex (and rape too) and Violence. All pointless. There are so many better animations out there. Why bother? Do not waste your time and money.

One of the first anime films...
This is an anime classic, with lots of action and an interesting storyline. It had some very good graphics for its time! The film focuses on a killer named Duke Togo, code named Golgo 13, who one of the trained proffesionals that works as a hitman. It has at least 10 F-bombs, and that's okay. The violence is brutal, and there is nudity. The animation was [bad], though... But it must have been amazing to see 20 years ago. Anyway, it was a great action/thriller. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Brilliant movie - Insulting visual transfer
Before I review Black Rain, let me tell you that I agree with some of the previous reviewers that the picture quality of this DVD (its better on VHS) is totally unacceptable. When I first watched it, I had to check my cable connections to make sure they weren't at fault. What a let-down. Mr. Scott should be raising hell over this.

With that said, this is one of my favorite action movies. It portrays Detective Nick Conklin (Michael Douglas) as an outgoing, old-school cop who takes moral short-cuts to get the job done. His partner, a relatively new Detective (Andy Garcia) is along for the ride. They have a run-in with a Japanese mobster (Yakuza) named Sato. After arresting Sato for commiting two murders in a New York restaurant, the Detectives are ordered to escort him back to Japan to face charges there. They manage to let Sato escape as he arrives in Japan. A Japanese Detective (Ken Takarara) is assigned to help out the New York Detectives.

Douglas, Garcia and Takarara are excellenty cast in their respective roles. The screenplay is well written. I must say that the cinematography is really good. Japan, the once-conquered nation, is now an industrial powerhouse. But, like the U.S., it suffers from the ills of corruption and violence. Ridley Scott does a great job of showing the tension between the two cultures. The Japanese, "bound by duty and honor", and the Americans, loud and outspoken, are viewed as somewhat obnoxious by their counterparts. The musical score is incredible. Hans Zimmer really brings this movie to life with an array of Japanese and American-themed music that injects just the right amount of tension for the corresponding scene. Brilliantly done.

This movie is 5-Star material, but the DVD version is a huge disapointment. I would wait to see if a special edition DVD comes out (I can only hope) with the video quality this movie deserves.

"It started to rain... Black rain."
Another masterpiece from director Ridley Scott, Black Rain stars Michael Douglas as Nick Conklin, an NY cop who is under pressure from internal affairs and has just had a divorce. Along with him is his happy-go-lucky partner Charlie (Andy Garcia), who loves a good time (it's weird how they call each other "babe"). After arresting Japanese Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) boss Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), they are assinged to return him to Japan. When Sato escapes and humiliates the cops, Nick is determined to bring him in, but has to cope with the strict ways of the Japanese law enforcement. With the help of the by-the-book cop Masahiro (Ken Takakura), Nick vows to bring Sato down. With great supporting actors/actresses, good story, and great action, it's great for any person who likes action or Michael Douglas. It's only real flay is its absurdity, but that's not going to stop you from seeing it, is it?

Culture Clash
Black Rain may not have some of the epic qualities of other Ridley Scott films, like Blade Runner, Gladiator, or even Black Hawk Down, but it is still a solid cop thrller/fish out of water story.

Just as New York detective Mike Conklin (Michael Douglas) faces an investigation for corruption, Japan's yakuza hit man Sato (Yusaku Matsuda) kills two American mobsters in New York, he's then extradited to Osaka to face trial. Conklin and his partner Charlie Vincent (Andy Garcia) are assigned as his escorts back home. Mistakenly turning over their prisoner to yakuza disguised as police, Conklin and Vincent realize, after running down some blind alleys, that they have no chance of finding Sato in the unfamiliar city and enlist the services of Japanese desk cop Masahiro "Mas" Masumoto (Ken Takakura). While relaxing with Mas at a karaoke bar, the cops also get information on the world of the yakuza from Joyce Kinglsey (Kate Capshaw), a high-class bargirl. As they continue the search for Sato, the scrupulous, methodical, and civilized style of Japanese police work rubs the improvisational, rule-breaking Americans the wrong way. All three men must find a way to work together though, to succeed.

Scott certainly knows how to keep the action moving at a nice pace. Douglas is very good playing yet another cop on the edge. A very young Garcia makes the most of a fairly predictable role. Takakura gets along well with his "american" compatriots. His character is as much out of his element, while adjusting to the two westerners, as the two americans are. This makes the film even more fun. Special mention has to be made of the superb photography of future director Jan de Bont, who had just come off of Die Hard, in the movie. The Japan backdrop looks great and is at its grittiest. The film's biggest problem lies within its script. Some of its twists are easy to forecast before they occur. Fortunately though, everything else works pretty well, so as not to bring down the flick.

I like Black Rain a whole lot and would welcome a special edition DVD release of the movie. As it stands right now though, the current disc only has the theatrical trailer, for its bonus material. Since most Ridley Scott films make for great SE DVDs, I'm sure if done right, Black Rain would be as well. Recommended.

A guilt-free pleasure
I'm not sure why this movie is described as a 'guilty pleasure'. I don't feel at all bad about liking it. And I do like it, a lot.

For one thing, I like Michael Douglas. I liked him thirty years ago in _The Streets of San Francisco_, I liked him even better after he turned _One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest_ from a great book and a great stage play into a great motion picture, and I've kept right on liking him every time he's gotten himself cast in a stylish, well-scripted film.

And this _is_ a stylish, well-scripted film. It's every bit as dark as you expect from Ridley Scott, and although there's a fairly well-defined villain, the 'heroes' are morally ambiguous. I like that in a movie.

The reviewers who say Michael Douglas's character Nick Conklin is an 'ugly American' are right, but they seem to have missed the fact that this is part of the point. This film is a fairly ambitious, though not terribly deep, attempt to bring off an East-meets-West theme in what looks superficially like just another buddy-cop movie. The 'black rain' of the title is one of the aftereffects of the nuking of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and it's the symbolic stand-in for the Western 'decadence' bemoaned by the more traditional Nipponese (even the crime bosses).

But that doesn't mean Japan wins the dramatic argument. On the contrary, the Nipponese cop (played with endearing self-effacement by Ken Takakura) learns a few things from his new cowboy friend 'Nick-san' too. (And the karaoke scene with Takakura and Andy Garcia is priceless.)

Kate Capshaw doesn't really need an excuse to appear in a film, and that's good, because here she doesn't really have one. She's an expatriate American who inexplicably keeps turning up at the center of the action. She gives the film a bit of _Casablanca_-like flavor, but it's more a matter of mood than anything else.

I won't tell you anything about the plot except that it involves the Japanese underworld and that it zips along at a fast clip. Don't look away or you'll miss something.

The whole thing is rendered most atmospherically, with the sort of dark and brooding edge that I like in a film (and at which Ridley Scott excels). In general I'm not the biggest fan of Hans Zimmer's scores, but for the most part he's used pretty effectively here.

This is a first-rate action-adventure thriller, and I don't feel the slightest bit 'guilty' for taking a very great deal of pleasure in it.

Perfect Ridley Scott
One of my favorite films--if for no other reason, it is signature Scott. However, it is a very good film all around! Douglas, Takakura and Capshaw were outstanding! Some may not like the genre or Scott, hence, some of the reviews. A caution: Be sure to read the reviewer's comments about the quality of the DVD version on down the list. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

One of the best anime of all time.
Based on one of the most long-running manga series in Japan, Golgo 13: The Professional is simply one of the best action films ever made. Right from the start you'll notice that this anime has a huge retro spin on it, with its split-screen effects and such. Golgo 13 is looking good; sharp and deadly. The soundtrack seemed kind of unfitting for me after seeing Golgo 13: Queen Bee, but I found there were a lot of memorable retro songs in the movie. For those who don't care much, the plot is simple, but the analytical can delve as far into the meaning of it as they want- just like in Golgo 13: Queen Bee. Having this quality is definitely a good thing for the story. The Dawson Building finale definitely was the highest point in the movie, outdated computer-animated helicopter scenes aside. The action and intrigue never really stops, and the movies ending provides a rather unexpected turn. Thankfully, Urban Vision has re-released this classic, as it was originally released by Streamline, which is famous for its [bad] dubs. In the dub, people swear constantly just because they can, and it really begins to sound stupid after a while. Lieutenant Braygon yells just about every expletive in the book, at about 20 cuss words a minute. The subtitled version has nowhere near the amount of ridiculous cussing, and better voice actors as expected.

Sure, it can be over the top sometimes, but, as they say, Golgo 13 makes the impossible possible. Go see it.

One of the best anime ever released.
Based on one of the most long-running manga series in Japan, Golgo 13: The Professional is simply one of the best action films ever made. Right from the start you'll notice that this anime has a huge retro spin on it, with its split-screen effects and such. Golgo 13 is looking good; sharp and deadly. The soundtrack seemed kind of unfitting for me after seeing Golgo 13: Queen Bee, but I found there were a lot of memorable retro songs in the movie. For those who don't care much, the plot is simple, but the analytical can delve as far into the meaning of it as they want- just like in Golgo 13: Queen Bee. Having this quality is definitely a good thing for the story. The Dawson Building finale definitely was the highest point in the movie, outdated computer-animated helicopter scenes aside. The action and intrigue never really stops, and the movies ending provides a rather unexpected turn.

Thankfully, Urban Vision has re-released this classic, as it was originally released by Streamline, which is famous for its crappy dubs. In the dub, people swear constantly just because they can, and it really begins to sound stupid after a while. Lieutenant Braygon yells just about every expletive in the book, at about 20 cuss words a minute. The subtitled version has nowhere near the amount of ridiculous cussing, and better voice actors as expected.

Sure, it can be over the top sometimes, but, as they say, Golgo 13 makes the impossible possible. Go see it.

An Underrated Classic
I consider "The Professional: Golgo 13" to be the "Usual Suspects" of anime. It has a developed characters, a fascinating storyline, good action, and a kick-in-the-butt surprise ending. I was blown away by this the first time I watched it, and watched it five times in one night because I was so impressed. The minute I saw a video copy of it at Suncoast I bought it without another thought.

The opening scene of the film shows Duke Torgo (aka Golgo 13) killing the son of a wealthy oil tycoon. Using his money and influence, the tycoon vows revenge. At first you may not care since his revenge seems justified, but as the movie continues you begin to see who the characters really are. Duke isn't a cold-hearted killer as we first thought, and Leonard Dawson, the oil tycoon, quickly stops being the kind of character you want to root for, especially after selling his daughter-in-law off to the perverted hitman Snake in return for services. "The Professional" gives you false first impressions and then reveals the characters slowly through the action and dialogue.

Some complain about the animation, but those people clearly aren't fair as it is more a sign of what time this film was made. For me, the character designs were well detailed and the animation didn't bug me so much because of the storyline and characters. The surprise ending is icing on the cake.

Now I am waiting for the day they release this on DVD. The minute I see it on DVD is the minute I buy it. Even if I have to overdraw from my bank account.

Not very good
Plot is OK. I live in San Francisco but still I don't mind the animation quality nor reality of location (San francisco as well as Italy etc). But I hate its excessive Sex (and rape too) and Violence. All pointless. There are so many better animations out there. Why bother? Do not waste your time and money.

One of the first anime films...
This is an anime classic, with lots of action and an interesting storyline. It had some very good graphics for its time! The film focuses on a killer named Duke Togo, code named Golgo 13, who one of the trained proffesionals that works as a hitman. It has at least 10 F-bombs, and that's okay. The violence is brutal, and there is nudity. The animation was [bad], though... But it must have been amazing to see 20 years ago. Anyway, it was a great action/thriller. ... Read more

Description

MAKE A REAL KILLING IN THE BUSINESS WORLD!
Meet Duke Togo, better known as Golgo 13, the ultimate hitman for hire. Ruthless, cold-blooded and lethal, Golgo is an arcane legend amongst killers.Fulfilling a contract to assassinate the son of a notorious industrial tycoon, Golgo is caught in the crosshairs of the most relentless forces that money can buy.It is the ultimate test of survival; betrayal and murder hide in every corner, making every city unsafe, every friend an enemy.

Warning: Recommended for mature audiences.Contains violence, nudity, and sexual situations.Parental discretion advised.

... Read more

Reviews (22)

One of the best anime of all time.
Based on one of the most long-running manga series in Japan, Golgo 13: The Professional is simply one of the best action films ever made. Right from the start you'll notice that this anime has a huge retro spin on it, with its split-screen effects and such. Golgo 13 is looking good; sharp and deadly. The soundtrack seemed kind of unfitting for me after seeing Golgo 13: Queen Bee, but I found there were a lot of memorable retro songs in the movie. For those who don't care much, the plot is simple, but the analytical can delve as far into the meaning of it as they want- just like in Golgo 13: Queen Bee. Having this quality is definitely a good thing for the story. The Dawson Building finale definitely was the highest point in the movie, outdated computer-animated helicopter scenes aside. The action and intrigue never really stops, and the movies ending provides a rather unexpected turn. Thankfully, Urban Vision has re-released this classic, as it was originally released by Streamline, which is famous for its [bad] dubs. In the dub, people swear constantly just because they can, and it really begins to sound stupid after a while. Lieutenant Braygon yells just about every expletive in the book, at about 20 cuss words a minute. The subtitled version has nowhere near the amount of ridiculous cussing, and better voice actors as expected.

Sure, it can be over the top sometimes, but, as they say, Golgo 13 makes the impossible possible. Go see it.

One of the best anime ever released.
Based on one of the most long-running manga series in Japan, Golgo 13: The Professional is simply one of the best action films ever made. Right from the start you'll notice that this anime has a huge retro spin on it, with its split-screen effects and such. Golgo 13 is looking good; sharp and deadly. The soundtrack seemed kind of unfitting for me after seeing Golgo 13: Queen Bee, but I found there were a lot of memorable retro songs in the movie. For those who don't care much, the plot is simple, but the analytical can delve as far into the meaning of it as they want- just like in Golgo 13: Queen Bee. Having this quality is definitely a good thing for the story. The Dawson Building finale definitely was the highest point in the movie, outdated computer-animated helicopter scenes aside. The action and intrigue never really stops, and the movies ending provides a rather unexpected turn.

Thankfully, Urban Vision has re-released this classic, as it was originally released by Streamline, which is famous for its crappy dubs. In the dub, people swear constantly just because they can, and it really begins to sound stupid after a while. Lieutenant Braygon yells just about every expletive in the book, at about 20 cuss words a minute. The subtitled version has nowhere near the amount of ridiculous cussing, and better voice actors as expected.

Sure, it can be over the top sometimes, but, as they say, Golgo 13 makes the impossible possible. Go see it.

An Underrated Classic
I consider "The Professional: Golgo 13" to be the "Usual Suspects" of anime. It has a developed characters, a fascinating storyline, good action, and a kick-in-the-butt surprise ending. I was blown away by this the first time I watched it, and watched it five times in one night because I was so impressed. The minute I saw a video copy of it at Suncoast I bought it without another thought.

The opening scene of the film shows Duke Torgo (aka Golgo 13) killing the son of a wealthy oil tycoon. Using his money and influence, the tycoon vows revenge. At first you may not care since his revenge seems justified, but as the movie continues you begin to see who the characters really are. Duke isn't a cold-hearted killer as we first thought, and Leonard Dawson, the oil tycoon, quickly stops being the kind of character you want to root for, especially after selling his daughter-in-law off to the perverted hitman Snake in return for services. "The Professional" gives you false first impressions and then reveals the characters slowly through the action and dialogue.

Some complain about the animation, but those people clearly aren't fair as it is more a sign of what time this film was made. For me, the character designs were well detailed and the animation didn't bug me so much because of the storyline and characters. The surprise ending is icing on the cake.

Now I am waiting for the day they release this on DVD. The minute I see it on DVD is the minute I buy it. Even if I have to overdraw from my bank account.

Not very good
Plot is OK. I live in San Francisco but still I don't mind the animation quality nor reality of location (San francisco as well as Italy etc). But I hate its excessive Sex (and rape too) and Violence. All pointless. There are so many better animations out there. Why bother? Do not waste your time and money.

One of the first anime films...
This is an anime classic, with lots of action and an interesting storyline. It had some very good graphics for its time! The film focuses on a killer named Duke Togo, code named Golgo 13, who one of the trained proffesionals that works as a hitman. It has at least 10 F-bombs, and that's okay. The violence is brutal, and there is nudity. The animation was [bad], though... But it must have been amazing to see 20 years ago. Anyway, it was a great action/thriller. ... Read more