Black Rain

"Black Rain" is in the overly familiar territory Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood used to inhabit during the 1970's and 1980's and as you would expect the old assortment of cliches are all here, especially those surrounding Michael Douglas's tough and uncompromising character Nick Conklin. The very notion of a hot headed American cop arriving in Japan and enthusiastically creating all manner of chaos by repeatedly eschewing the political and social protocols and conventions of the country and stubbornly bulldozing his way to a successful resolution of the case is also a common pattern of unorthodox behaviour to be expected. However, Japan is a visually diverting location at all times and Ridley Scott is on top form when it comes to bringing all the action scenes vividly to life on the screen. This film is frequently comprised of cliches and yet the final result is nevertheless invigorating and entertaining.