@Rishi Eastwood It's much more than that. A large part is the style of lighting, and the heavy hot tungsten lights themselves, as well as a tendency to use atmospheric fog/mist in practically every shot and scenario haha... it really helps bounce the light around and gives a lot of depth and haze to the shots, nowadays it's all just shallow depth of fields to try to attain depth.
@Rishi Eastwood I forgot the other classic trick that really helps create the look of those films. Soaking the ground in water so that the light reflects all over it.
And also, RIP to all the people in this movie, including Mas himself, Ken Takakura, and also Yusaku Matsuda, who played the main villain Sato, to name a few. He sadly passed literally right after the film's release. It's so sad knowing that so many associated with this film are gone.
Definitely an underrated 1980's classic for both Ridley Scott and Michael Douglas. The movie also bears some eerie similarities to the gritty 1970's classic THE YAKUZA.
1989 is such a important year for me , I was in year 8 and fully entering my Teenage years , it was the year of SO many Classic movies , it was the year I found Metallica my favourite band, it was the year I started to learn Guitar and it was the year I felt my first Boob ! 1989 is maybe the year I would pick if Doc Brown turned up to relive again. It was a Magical time to be alive.
"You watch your tail, cowboy." Black Rain is one of my favourite movies. It is a very underrated Ridley Scott movie and an all time great performance by Michael Douglas. It has a great score by Hans Zimmer, which has been used in most film trailers since the films release. The film has a great neo noir look at osaka Japan. A superb 5 star movie.
Coffee is for closers Not to forget the extraordinary „I‘ll be holding on“ by Gregg Allman and the second to none performances by Ken Takakura, Yusaku Matsuda and Andy Garcia. Everything about this movie is perfect. WAY underrated.
@@fwostyshrakes1870 A Time to Kill is one that uses part of Black Rains music in its trailer. Even Oliver mentions that his score has also been reused in some later Hans Zimmer scored movies.
I've seen this movie many times. Here in The Netherlands it was aired on tv almost every two years or so. It's funny that many people thought of it being offensive, but got the Academy Prize for Best Foreign Film in Japan.
Black Rain is definitely underrated. Was big when it came out but has been forgotten since. Besides being a great action flick there's some deeper themes to it, including the film's title.
Thank you so much for doing this! black rain is one of my favourite movies! i was lucky enough to have seen it in the theatres back in 1989 when i was 16. it made me obsessed with japan and i went there in 1994. definitely an underrated movie. a true classic.
Seamus O'Dork Gladiator is a historical epic and Blade Runner is sci-fi. Ridley has directed in many genres, and Black Rain is my fav action movie of his.
@@sugreev2001 Ridley Scott is such a master of the craft, he has arguably the best Roman period piece (Gladiator) best Crusader piece (Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut)), one of the best modern war films (Black Hawk Down), one of the best sci-fi/dystopian films (Blade Runner) one of the best sci-fi horror films (Alien), one of the best Napoleonic war era films (The Duelists).... the list goes on.
YES! I absolutely adore this movie! One of the most underrated 80s movies ever and definitely Ridley Scott's more underappreciated pieces of work. I also love how aesthetically similar this movie feels to Blade Runner, another Ridley Scott project, and the cyberpunk visuals seen in the Japan scenes.
Omg!! I was WAITING for someone to mention Rising Sun!!! One of my all time favorites!! Love the dynamic between Snipes and Connery!! You are my movie soulmate my dear! Lol
I thought the outro was an upbeat version of Michael J Lewis' Lion and the witch. Can't find the outro one on the soundtrack. ua-cam.com/video/coGBbgcc_98/v-deo.html
BRO! You hit the nail on the head when you said “a movie your dad was watching on cable when going to bed” That is Exactly my reference point to this movie. My dad definitely watched this and other Douglas movies of the 80s on HBO when I was about to go to bed. great video! I’ll definitely have to check it out. Thanks for the memberberries 🤓
I read the original script. It was dramatically different than what we got in a good way. Much changed due to Japan's disagreement of how the Japanese police officer was portrayed. Literally did a 180 on everything about the character from a Japanese man who was short, heavy, messy, and lover of USA stuff (Hawaiian shirts etc) to what we see now as the tall, honorable, strong, square, Japanese police officer Masahiro. The finale showdown was different as well, but still on motorcycles. FUN FACT: Ken Takahura who played as Masahiro is also in an incredible 1974 movie "The Yakuza" and in that movie you see actor James Shigeta as a businessman who was former Yakuza. He literally was playing as Takagi the head CEO of Nakatomi Plaza. I had a wild theory its the same character in both movies. It makes a lot of sense if you think about it. How Takagi died. No one dies for a company llike that unless they know they are dead either way. Hans and his goons did not know they would be robbing from the Yakuza's State side business front. Takagi knew if he gave the code he was a dead man either way so he decided to give them their won death sentence knowing the Yakuza would have gotten them. Turns out they died anyways, but I digress. I did a lot of exploring in this movie some time last year and it stuck with me. Also Yusaku Matsuda in Black Rain is the inspiration for Cowboy Bebop anime from a show he did in Japan called "The Detective Story". He passed away from cancer at a young age. Black Rain is his best work arguably as he was a highly praised actor in Japan.
Glad I'm not the only one who read the original script. The one thing I did like about it was that Sato's character got much more screentime and had many more lines, even speaking fluent english to Nick multiple times. But I like the final version as well, showing a "less is more" approach.
I've spent so much time in Osaka, especially Dotonbori, that this film gives me chills every time. Also amazing to hear that "Ridley Scott had a couple of flops, like Blade Runner"... :D
thank god.. i thought i was one of the few who really remembers and appreciates this movie. This and Falling down, my 2 fave Michael Douglas movies. it reminds me of this 90s movie "The Hunted" with Christopher Lambert.
Yusaku Matsuda is fantastic! If you enjoyed his performance here, i recommend "The Resurrection of the Golden Wolf", "The Beast To Die" and "The Most Dangerous Game"
It had an amazing cast of Japanese actors. Ken Takakura was the model for Golgo 13, and even played the character once. Yusaku Matsuda died young, so he's attained a movie icon status to this day. Tomisaburo Wakayama played Itto Ogami of Lone Wolf and Cub, enough said!
This is such a good movie I saw it many time over the years and when I think of cop films this one always comes to mind. Going to watch it again this weekend.
I actually love Black Rain mostly due to its storytelling, characters, direction, visuals, and music. The music by Hans Zimmer is so good mostly and I can listen to it almost every time whenever I think about this movie. The story is interesting of America meets Japan in that sense.
My auntie had a VHS copy of the film back when the VHS market was big here in Egypt, still my favorite Michael Douglas film. Ken Takakura was referred by some as the Clint Eastwood of Japan because of his tough guy image, whether it was as the Yakuza with the heart of gold or the heroic hardboiled cop or detective types. Yasaku Matsuda most famous role to Japanese audiences was as a detective in the tv series Detective Story, Spike Spiegal the main character of the anime series Cowboy Bebop was modeled after Matsuda's detective character right down to the big bushy hair.
If oliver Harper reads this comment there is one movie I'd love him to, fright night 1985. I recently watched it last September and loved it. I'm 19 and have only gotten into 80s and love them. Fright night would make for a great video
One of the bigger complaints I saw on IMDB were the lack of subtitles. I don't think people understood we are hearing things from Nick's perspective. I thought it was a nice touch.
Great movie closing wonderfully the unique era of 80's thrillers, that sky view of Osaka when the plane arrives is a visual masterpiece echoing the one introducing Blade Runner.
My brother's friend saw this and Tango & Cash in January 1990. He preferred this movie more. Don't blame him as it's an intelligently written, philosophical action thriller.
This is one of my favorite movies hands down it's such a underrated classic I wish it would get mentioned with the top classic action movies of the 80s
Nice one, cheers for this long-overdue acknowledgment of a genuine late 80's cop classic. I saw this about four times at the flicks (it was streets ahead of Someone To Watch Over Me, stylistically speaking), and one of the film's many hooks was Hans Zimmer's exotic, percussion driven-score. I've lost count of how many other film trailers used it for a good few years afterward. Really chuffed to hear about the remastered version and the extra tracks. There was so much good material in the film itself, and we only got a few snippets of it on the soundtrack's initial release. I was into Laserdiscs, too, and the film was one of one of my frenzied first purchases,(as Nick would say, "Fuck patience."), right after Blue Velvet! Once again, cheers for posting. :)
the candid shots od matsuda vs those in character as sato reveal how brilliant he was at facial acting. in fact the japanese in general are very good at this.
So glad I brought this DVD (literally DVD not Blu ray lol) just watched it for the 1st time,1 of the best films I ever seen.This is a keep sake DVD.I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!! These the type of films I miss!!
I have been expecting this review, for a while now, and it was well worth the wait... I guess I never really thought about how much Oliver likes this movie's score. I mean, HELLO... his outro music makes that pretty obvious. This is one of my favorite movies, from the late 80's! Thanks, Oliver!
Black Rain is both my personal favourite Ridley Scott and Michael Douglas film. I think the movie does do something other cop thrillers don’t and that is add depth to character dynamics, there is a lot of depth to Douglas and Takakura’s onscreen relationship, in some ways the movie is about Michael Douglas’ character overcoming his xenophobia and learning to respect the Japanese. All the other characters are also very likeable and well defined, my only complaint with the film is the action scenes are a little too short, especially at the end, I wish they were just a little longer. Other than that 10/10 for me
I was in the service at the time after having just returned from a six month deployment to Japan. I almost passed on this movie. After having been stuck in Japan for all that time, all I wanted was a burger and fries and not have to pay $4 for an "import" Bud. I'm glad I didn't. This has become one of my top 10 favorite cop movies.
Thank you for remembering this movie. I bought it on VHS because it reminded me so much of Blade Runner and, to me at least, that was a good thing. I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of many of the cast. As I get older it seems to happen more and more. If the Los Angeles of 2019 looked used up and falling apart, Osaka of 1989 looked a shiny, sexy place you would want to be.
What a great review... For me, the only thing missing is a few lines about that memorable Andy/Ken karaoke from Ray Charles... It's such an iconic scene, so many people talk about it.... But nevertheless, such a good video, congrats 😉👍🏾
Saw Black Rain at the cinema in 89 and loved it. One of the better movies I saw that year. Was really surprised at how good Kate Capshaw was in the movie as the only other thing I saw her in was Temple of Doom.
Holy crap! That's a two year turn around from spec script to release! That's amazing! I recall being very affected by Garcia's scene with the bikers, though it did remind me of a similar scene in Black Moon Rising. Still, I don't think anybody could get a spec script produced and released in two year's time anymore.
Awesome. Thanks Oliver. I do love your retrospectives, there are quite a few movies that your cover that I have never seen. I am a film lover and it's always a surprise when I haven't seen one that you are covering. This is one of them. I know of "Black Rain" but have never seen it. I aim to rectify that. Thanks again for the retrospective.
Just happened to find the dvd in Amoeba Hollywood on Monday and watched it w Ridley's commentary. The 'making of' films were surprisingly good too. It really does feel like a sci-fi movie in parts - it almost plays like a Bladerunner sequel.
Thanks for this review, Oliver. I grew up with this film when it first came into theaters and always felt this was my favorite Michael Douglas film of all his films. It's a film I highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Ridley Scott as this is very underrated.
Ok so today I was watching Dark5 on UA-cam and there was a video were 'black rain' was mentioned in reference to nuclear bombs. Being bored I googled it and this film popped up. After realizing it had Michael Douglas and was set in Japan I immediately watched it online. Then I wondered if my favourite reviewer Mr Harper had reviewed it? So now I'm back on UA-cam and the circle is complete.
Thank you for this retrospective! Just saw Black Rain on your recommendation and loved it! I never heard of the movie before your video. Amazing how these gems stay hidden.
I have my Dad to thank for introducing me to this flick as well. Thank you for pointing out the re-using of some of Han's score for the Dark Knight trilogy. His score for "Backdraft" has some cues that would be used in TDK trilogy as well. Yes folks, these 2 movies are what you have to thank for both the music to that Batman trilogy, and every movie score that's copied it ever since, lol.
Another stellar Retrospective/Review, Oliver. Well done. Liked this film ever since I took a chance on it by buying the DVD must be almost 20 years ago, liked the movie ever since.
I Thought The Head Yakuza Boss, was From Shogun Assassin (2 Films Edited Together)!!! Classic Film & Tommish Wakayama!? IS A Great Actor!!! Black Rain IS A Quality 80's Film & one of Ridley's Most Underrated!!! Brilliant Content Again Ollie!!
I just rewatched this movie again after many years. A nearly perfectly executed movie with excellent pacing and visuals. Douglas is fantastic, Garcia is a great sidekick. Masa-san offers superb counter balance to Douglas's character. All the cast are top notch. Even the yakuza henchmen are memorable. Why is it 50% on RT? It's miles better than the garbage churned out today IMO. THe greatest part is: for an eighties movie it hasn't aged one bit.
Thanks for reviewing this movie. I watch it at least once a month, I think it's a truly wonderful and underrated film. Classic 80's film making. Keep up the great reviews on these older movies, and a new generation of people will discover what great films were truly like 👍
Nothing beats the look, the sound and the atmosphere of movies from this era of movie making.
Very true, i miss those films! Have to check this again now, seen it when i was a teen.
So true. I love how movies from that era make you feel, the emotions that you experience from the atmosphere of movies made back then were amazing.
Nothing beats the look, sound, and atmosphere of a Ridley Scott film either!
@Rishi Eastwood It's much more than that. A large part is the style of lighting, and the heavy hot tungsten lights themselves, as well as a tendency to use atmospheric fog/mist in practically every shot and scenario haha... it really helps bounce the light around and gives a lot of depth and haze to the shots, nowadays it's all just shallow depth of fields to try to attain depth.
@Rishi Eastwood I forgot the other classic trick that really helps create the look of those films. Soaking the ground in water so that the light reflects all over it.
And also, RIP to all the people in this movie, including Mas himself, Ken Takakura, and also Yusaku Matsuda, who played the main villain Sato, to name a few. He sadly passed literally right after the film's release. It's so sad knowing that so many associated with this film are gone.
Sato was one person that I feel took over a scene whenever he appears...good acting
as well as everything else.
Indeed. Especially Mr Sugai, he really steals the show in any scene he's in.
@@TheMocholoco I agree.Actually he was a comedian in Japan and was dying of bladder cancer while shooting.He died shortly after the film's premier.
Even Gregg Allman, who sang the main song in the movie, I'll be Holding On, passed away as well. So sad.
I feel that this is one of Ridley Scott's more underrated films.
It definitely is.
I agree.
Agreed!
Also "Someone To Watch Over Me".
Someone to Watch Over Me and Matchstick Men. I'd take both over that snore fest called Blade Runner.
Definitely an underrated 1980's classic for both Ridley Scott and Michael Douglas. The movie also bears some eerie similarities to the gritty 1970's classic THE YAKUZA.
@Captain Brandon Horror Lover imho, Basic Instinct gets all the attention largely because of Sharon Stone and the character she portrays.
I came to this movie after rewatching The Yakuza and think the two would make a great double feature
You should also check out Michael Mann's new TV series 'Tokyo Vice'. A lot of parallels there too.
Classic? What is your criteria for classic? The film depicted American police in Japan doing stupid action hero clichés.
One of my favorites. The residue of Blade Runner is all over this thing.
Absolutely!
I love the "ciberpunk" touch in this film.
Yep, and its a great thing!!!
Finally people realize that this movie is a fu**ing gem
Only Idiots dont know the stature of this movie.
Watched it on TV when I was seven in 1992. Great films and great times
😎👌I watch it once about every three years, and it's just getting better.
This movie SCREAMS 1989, I love it and it is totally underrated! 👍🏼
1989 is such a important year for me , I was in year 8 and fully entering my Teenage years , it was the year of SO many Classic movies , it was the year I found Metallica my favourite band, it was the year I started to learn Guitar and it was the year I felt my first Boob !
1989 is maybe the year I would pick if Doc Brown turned up to relive again.
It was a Magical time to be alive.
Never seen it probably got missed by people because batman
"You watch your tail, cowboy."
Black Rain is one of my favourite movies. It is a very underrated Ridley Scott movie and an all time great performance by Michael Douglas. It has a great score by Hans Zimmer, which has been used in most film trailers since the films release. The film has a great neo noir look at osaka Japan. A superb 5 star movie.
Coffee is for closers Not to forget the extraordinary „I‘ll be holding on“ by Gregg Allman and the second to none performances by Ken Takakura, Yusaku Matsuda and Andy Garcia. Everything about this movie is perfect. WAY underrated.
Can you name any of the trailers that use parts of this movie's score?
@@fwostyshrakes1870 A Time to Kill is one that uses part of Black Rains music in its trailer. Even Oliver mentions that his score has also been reused in some later Hans Zimmer scored movies.
@@asifkhan4822 See i didn't take that literally, I thought he meant the composer recycled themes, motifs & ideas he had already explored
@@heartwork7977 Well said.
After watching this I started binge-watching Ken Takakura's filmography, He truly was a very talented actor.
Agreed.
Mr. Baseball
the photography is just amazing.
I've seen this movie many times. Here in The Netherlands it was aired on tv almost every two years or so. It's funny that many people thought of it being offensive, but got the Academy Prize for Best Foreign Film in Japan.
This has always been a great film. An underrated film that really needs to be seen by those who haven't. 😊🖒
Black Rain is definitely underrated. Was big when it came out but has been forgotten since. Besides being a great action flick there's some deeper themes to it, including the film's title.
Thank you so much for doing this! black rain is one of my favourite movies! i was lucky enough to have seen it in the theatres back in 1989 when i was 16. it made me obsessed with japan and i went there in 1994. definitely an underrated movie. a true classic.
@yortzandat how dare you. I wouldn't know unfortunately.
yortzandat Nice You sir are a pervert. 😂And nice James Bond reference too 👍
One of my favorite films of the 80’s, and my personal favorite Ridley Scott action movie.
@Seamus O'Dork Blade Runner is neo noir and it ain't a very good one.
@@ricardocantoral7672 Can't wait to see your film that is considered one of the best science-fiction films of all time.
Seamus O'Dork Gladiator is a historical epic and Blade Runner is sci-fi. Ridley has directed in many genres, and Black Rain is my fav action movie of his.
@@sugreev2001 Ridley Scott is such a master of the craft, he has arguably the best Roman period piece (Gladiator) best Crusader piece (Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut)), one of the best modern war films (Black Hawk Down), one of the best sci-fi/dystopian films (Blade Runner) one of the best sci-fi horror films (Alien), one of the best Napoleonic war era films (The Duelists).... the list goes on.
@@sugreev2001
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YES! I absolutely adore this movie!
One of the most underrated 80s movies ever and definitely Ridley Scott's more underappreciated pieces of work. I also love how aesthetically similar this movie feels to Blade Runner, another Ridley Scott project, and the cyberpunk visuals seen in the Japan scenes.
Just in terms of photography, Black Rain is definitely the sequel to Blade Runner
This and 'Rising Sun' were awesome!
The daylight scenes have an almost Micheal Mann type feel.
Omg!! I was WAITING for someone to mention Rising Sun!!! One of my all time favorites!! Love the dynamic between Snipes and Connery!! You are my movie soulmate my dear! Lol
It's that Tony Scott daylight/ Dusk vibe I love that I think Michael Mann stole from Tony and Jerry Bruckheimer.
"Sato only respects one thing...Money"
"So what are you into it for...Love?"
13:05 - So THAT’S where Ollie got his old outro music from.....
I thought the outro was an upbeat version of Michael J Lewis' Lion and the witch. Can't find the outro one on the soundtrack.
ua-cam.com/video/coGBbgcc_98/v-deo.html
It took me quite a while to track that music down. Now he uploads a retrospective!
That's what I was about to say! You read my mind...😉😂
@@bobs4684 what's the name of the track?
@@gtviper1158 About 3:17 on this video: ua-cam.com/video/hlWV6DlsouQ/v-deo.html
Nick's apartment in New York is my dream apartment for that view alone
Loved this movie. The music, the bikes, the style. Captured the 80s. Well done.
BRO! You hit the nail on the head when you said “a movie your dad was watching on cable when going to bed” That is Exactly my reference point to this movie. My dad definitely watched this and other Douglas movies of the 80s on HBO when I was about to go to bed. great video! I’ll definitely have to check it out. Thanks for the memberberries 🤓
I read the original script. It was dramatically different than what we got in a good way. Much changed due to Japan's disagreement of how the Japanese police officer was portrayed. Literally did a 180 on everything about the character from a Japanese man who was short, heavy, messy, and lover of USA stuff (Hawaiian shirts etc) to what we see now as the tall, honorable, strong, square, Japanese police officer Masahiro. The finale showdown was different as well, but still on motorcycles.
FUN FACT: Ken Takahura who played as Masahiro is also in an incredible 1974 movie "The Yakuza" and in that movie you see actor James Shigeta as a businessman who was former Yakuza. He literally was playing as Takagi the head CEO of Nakatomi Plaza. I had a wild theory its the same character in both movies. It makes a lot of sense if you think about it. How Takagi died. No one dies for a company llike that unless they know they are dead either way. Hans and his goons did not know they would be robbing from the Yakuza's State side business front. Takagi knew if he gave the code he was a dead man either way so he decided to give them their won death sentence knowing the Yakuza would have gotten them. Turns out they died anyways, but I digress. I did a lot of exploring in this movie some time last year and it stuck with me. Also Yusaku Matsuda in Black Rain is the inspiration for Cowboy Bebop anime from a show he did in Japan called "The Detective Story". He passed away from cancer at a young age. Black Rain is his best work arguably as he was a highly praised actor in Japan.
Glad I'm not the only one who read the original script.
The one thing I did like about it was that Sato's character got much more screentime and had many more lines, even speaking fluent english to Nick multiple times. But I like the final version as well, showing a "less is more" approach.
@@JuddKramer Interesting observation. I agree.
I saw this with my dad when it premiered on HBO and I loved it. Definitely underrated, even though it has Scott's amazing visual style on it.
I'd like to see something closer to Ridley's original 2hr40m cut.
I've spent so much time in Osaka, especially Dotonbori, that this film gives me chills every time. Also amazing to hear that "Ridley Scott had a couple of flops, like Blade Runner"... :D
I think Michael Douglas just won the award for “most 80’s mullet ever”
Nah, MacGyver still holds that title.
Mel Gibson's mullet from Lethal Weapon would like to have a word with you.
Curly hair mullets aren't true mullets
Nothing tops *Gibson* and *Stamos*
Roddy Piper enters the chat
Black Rain, To Live and Die in L. A. and Year of the Dragon are the holy trinity of 80s cop movies.
Hollywood: The film is racist.
Japanese: F-You, we love it!
HA. DAMN RIGHT
The woke brigade of the 80s😆😆.
That bell melody is also used by Zimmer in Broken Arrow! Another great film with memorable OST.
Ms. Capshaw ( Spielberg ), you are a stunner in this movie....
The Last_Saint She looked fantastic in that gold dress.
early 80's to mid 90's movies where the best!
thank god.. i thought i was one of the few who really remembers and appreciates this movie. This and Falling down, my 2 fave Michael Douglas movies.
it reminds me of this 90s movie "The Hunted" with Christopher Lambert.
The Ghost and the Darkness? The Game? Douglas had quite a few good films.
@@tylerskiss no doubt he has quite an impressive filmography, jus sayin those 2 in particular i enjoy the most
Hans Zimmer 🎵🎶 Perfection
Yusaku Matsuda is fantastic! If you enjoyed his performance here, i recommend "The Resurrection of the Golden Wolf", "The Beast To Die" and "The Most Dangerous Game"
The prime example of an underrated, hidden gem.
It had an amazing cast of Japanese actors. Ken Takakura was the model for Golgo 13, and even played the character once. Yusaku Matsuda died young, so he's attained a movie icon status to this day. Tomisaburo Wakayama played Itto Ogami of Lone Wolf and Cub, enough said!
wow i didnt know that about Golgo 13..
This is such a good movie I saw it many time over the years and when I think of cop films this one always comes to mind. Going to watch it again this weekend.
I remember watching this when it was on TV in the 90s but I actually forgot the title! Thanks for persuading me to watch it again!
Black Rain totally underrated movie. One of my favorites.
Fantastic overview of a late 80s classic, sir! This is probably Scott's most criminally underrated films.
I actually love Black Rain mostly due to its storytelling, characters, direction, visuals, and music. The music by Hans Zimmer is so good mostly and I can listen to it almost every time whenever I think about this movie. The story is interesting of America meets Japan in that sense.
My auntie had a VHS copy of the film back when the VHS market was big here in Egypt, still my favorite Michael Douglas film.
Ken Takakura was referred by some as the Clint Eastwood of Japan because of his tough guy image, whether it was as the Yakuza with the heart of gold or the heroic hardboiled cop or detective types. Yasaku Matsuda most famous role to Japanese audiences was as a detective in the tv series Detective Story, Spike Spiegal the main character of the anime series Cowboy Bebop was modeled after Matsuda's detective character right down to the big bushy hair.
Saw it three times at the cinema and you could really sense how the score was sweeping the audience along for the ride. Top stuff.
If oliver Harper reads this comment there is one movie I'd love him to, fright night 1985. I recently watched it last September and loved it. I'm 19 and have only gotten into 80s and love them. Fright night would make for a great video
Thank you so so much for this Oliver. Been on the fence about getting this for months.
I remember watching Black Rain and No Mercy with my dad on the weekends at age 12, loved both movies that I own them on Bluray. 👍
One of the best movies of the 90's and one of my all time favorites! I'm a Japanese and loved how Ridley Scott and Michael Dougles did this movie!
One of the bigger complaints I saw on IMDB were the lack of subtitles. I don't think people understood we are hearing things from Nick's perspective. I thought it was a nice touch.
One of my favorite Paramount films of 1989. I have it on DVD.
Sometimes the simplicity of the story and its characters can pay off. Brilliant movie.
One of those great 80's movie's.
Great movie closing wonderfully the unique era of 80's thrillers, that sky view of Osaka when the plane arrives is a visual masterpiece echoing the one introducing Blade Runner.
This has me interested. Never heard or seen of it before. I'm gunna have to watch this one. Thank you Oliver👌👍
Mr. Bullion Naire movie is incredible always watch it when it is on.
@@kidistight ya I'm gunna have to. I love 80s flix.
Go for it, as much as I love these retrospectives, Oliver does heavily spoiler them so I hope this hasn't detracted from your viewing.
@@davekp6773 not at all man. This looks like a good old action flick.
Ohhhh bro do yourself a favour and check this one out with some sake and a sushi it's a dope picture.
My brother's friend saw this and Tango & Cash in January 1990. He preferred this movie more. Don't blame him as it's an intelligently written, philosophical action thriller.
Ur reviews are legendary already
very Good detail & narrative keep up the great work very unbiased reviews 🙏🏾🔥
This and Rising Sun are two of the best America/Japan culture clash films I have seen.
Ever watch "The Hunted" with Christopher Lambert? you might enjoy that one also.
@@BalorShield Indeed.
This is one of my favorite movies hands down it's such a underrated classic I wish it would get mentioned with the top classic action movies of the 80s
Nice one, cheers for this long-overdue acknowledgment of a genuine late 80's cop classic. I saw this about four times at the flicks (it was streets ahead of Someone To Watch Over Me, stylistically speaking), and one of the film's many hooks was Hans Zimmer's exotic, percussion driven-score. I've lost count of how many other film trailers used it for a good few years afterward. Really chuffed to hear about the remastered version and the extra tracks. There was so much good material in the film itself, and we only got a few snippets of it on the soundtrack's initial release. I was into Laserdiscs, too, and the film was one of one of my frenzied first purchases,(as Nick would say, "Fuck patience."), right after Blue Velvet!
Once again, cheers for posting. :)
the candid shots od matsuda vs those in character as sato reveal how brilliant he was at facial acting. in fact the japanese in general are very good at this.
So glad I brought this DVD (literally DVD not Blu ray lol) just watched it for the 1st time,1 of the best films I ever seen.This is a keep sake DVD.I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!! These the type of films I miss!!
I have been expecting this review, for a while now, and it was well worth the wait... I guess I never really thought about how much Oliver likes this movie's score. I mean, HELLO... his outro music makes that pretty obvious.
This is one of my favorite movies, from the late 80's! Thanks, Oliver!
Black Rain is both my personal favourite Ridley Scott and Michael Douglas film. I think the movie does do something other cop thrillers don’t and that is add depth to character dynamics, there is a lot of depth to Douglas and Takakura’s onscreen relationship, in some ways the movie is about Michael Douglas’ character overcoming his xenophobia and learning to respect the Japanese. All the other characters are also very likeable and well defined, my only complaint with the film is the action scenes are a little too short, especially at the end, I wish they were just a little longer. Other than that 10/10 for me
I remember watching this on Netflix for the first time. Outstanding film to go in with no history or expectations! Loved it!
I was in the service at the time after having just returned from a six month deployment to Japan. I almost passed on this movie. After having been stuck in Japan for all that time, all I wanted was a burger and fries and not have to pay $4 for an "import" Bud. I'm glad I didn't. This has become one of my top 10 favorite cop movies.
Thank you for remembering this movie. I bought it on VHS because it reminded me so much of Blade Runner and, to me at least, that was a good thing. I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of many of the cast. As I get older it seems to happen more and more. If the Los Angeles of 2019 looked used up and falling apart, Osaka of 1989 looked a shiny, sexy place you would want to be.
Easily one of the most underrated films I’ve ever seen. One of my personal favorite Ridley Scott films.
What a great review... For me, the only thing missing is a few lines about that memorable Andy/Ken karaoke from Ray Charles... It's such an iconic scene, so many people talk about it.... But nevertheless, such a good video, congrats 😉👍🏾
Saw Black Rain at the cinema in 89 and loved it. One of the better movies I saw that year. Was really surprised at how good Kate Capshaw was in the movie as the only other thing I saw her in was Temple of Doom.
Seen this on the big screen when they filmed this in the ending of the 80's this was a huge hit. Not been to Japan since 1977!
Holy crap! That's a two year turn around from spec script to release! That's amazing! I recall being very affected by Garcia's scene with the bikers, though it did remind me of a similar scene in Black Moon Rising. Still, I don't think anybody could get a spec script produced and released in two year's time anymore.
Ollie needs 500k subs, been watching his content a long time.
I am so glad your channel exists
Underrated gem from 80's.
I studied this film when i was a teen. Its brilliant structured.
Recently rewatched it and what a fun movie. Definitely up there as one of my favorites.
Awesome. Thanks Oliver. I do love your retrospectives, there are quite a few movies that your cover that I have never seen. I am a film lover and it's always a surprise when I haven't seen one that you are covering. This is one of them. I know of "Black Rain" but have never seen it. I aim to rectify that. Thanks again for the retrospective.
Just happened to find the dvd in Amoeba Hollywood on Monday and watched it w Ridley's commentary. The 'making of' films were surprisingly good too. It really does feel like a sci-fi movie in parts - it almost plays like a Bladerunner sequel.
Thanks for this review, Oliver. I grew up with this film when it first came into theaters and always felt this was my favorite Michael Douglas film of all his films. It's a film I highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Ridley Scott as this is very underrated.
Ok so today I was watching Dark5 on UA-cam and there was a video were 'black rain' was mentioned in reference to nuclear bombs. Being bored I googled it and this film popped up. After realizing it had Michael Douglas and was set in Japan I immediately watched it online. Then I wondered if my favourite reviewer Mr Harper had reviewed it? So now I'm back on UA-cam and the circle is complete.
Enjoyed the "false endings" to this Retrospective with the music kicking in a couple of times before the actual end of the video!
One of my favorite movies. Forgotten gem
Thanks Oliver I must have missed it, was looking forward to this one of my old favourites 👍
Thank you for this retrospective! Just saw Black Rain on your recommendation and loved it! I never heard of the movie before your video. Amazing how these gems stay hidden.
I have my Dad to thank for introducing me to this flick as well. Thank you for pointing out the re-using of some of Han's score for the Dark Knight trilogy. His score for "Backdraft" has some cues that would be used in TDK trilogy as well. Yes folks, these 2 movies are what you have to thank for both the music to that Batman trilogy, and every movie score that's copied it ever since, lol.
Another stellar Retrospective/Review, Oliver. Well done. Liked this film ever since I took a chance on it by buying the DVD must be almost 20 years ago, liked the movie ever since.
No More Heroes 3 made me watch this 80s classic again. Suda has great taste in movies :-)
Quality stuff again Oliver. I actually save these retrospectives for when I’m in the bath or in bed so I can chill out and take it all in.
Love this film...I still have it on Laser disc...and the cd film score...
I have seen this movie since 1989 for over 100 times. See how good this movie is.
Here I am, NICK!
Excellent film. Ridley Scott is the man. Thanks for the review Oliver. Good job.
I Thought The Head Yakuza Boss, was From Shogun Assassin (2 Films Edited Together)!!! Classic Film & Tommish Wakayama!? IS A Great Actor!!! Black Rain IS A Quality 80's Film & one of Ridley's Most Underrated!!! Brilliant Content Again Ollie!!
I became a patreon just to view this 3 days before everyone else!
And with a comment like that it just screams no sexual activity with man, woman or beast you melon....
Daniel Menefrego Pretty much!
@@joeman8523 oh man, you showed me!
The same could even be said about you. You're here right now.
@@lbgtr87 Righty hoo...see if it was me I'd have ignored my post but clearly I hit a nerve eh?
I think you and I had the same childhood, the way you described how you saw bits of the film I think I had a flashback!
One of my favorite movies of all time.
Great to see you do a review of this. Black Rain's one of my favourite films, an incredibly underrated gem in Ridley Scott's filmography.
I love this film and soundtrack! My favorite Ridley Scott film.
I just rewatched this movie again after many years. A nearly perfectly executed movie with excellent pacing and visuals. Douglas is fantastic, Garcia is a great sidekick. Masa-san offers superb counter balance to Douglas's character. All the cast are top notch. Even the yakuza henchmen are memorable. Why is it 50% on RT? It's miles better than the garbage churned out today IMO. THe greatest part is: for an eighties movie it hasn't aged one bit.
I watched it today and give it a 6.5. Primarily bc I don’t think M Douglass is all that talented and it shows here. Everything else was good
Thanks for reviewing this movie. I watch it at least once a month, I think it's a truly wonderful and underrated film. Classic 80's film making. Keep up the great reviews on these older movies, and a new generation of people will discover what great films were truly like 👍