Bullet Points: Showdown in Little Tokyo
Dolph Lundgren’s movie career started off about as hot as a movie career could when he starred opposite of Sylvester Stallone in Rocky IV. But in the years that followed Dolph was unable to convince Hollywood that he could carry a major motion picture. Box office disappointments like Masters of the Universe and Red Scorpion certainly didn’t help his cause.
But Hollywood knew they had something in Dolph and if he couldn’t carry a movie on his own, maybe a team up was in order. So the decision was made to team Dolph up with a young actor who was just starting his Hollywood career, Brandon Lee in 1991’s Showdown in Little Tokyo…
- It Takes Two: Sgt. Chris Kenner (Dolph Lundgren, The Punisher) of the LAPD’s Asian Crime Unit is enjoying a meal at his favorite sushi restaurant when some Yakuza goons show up and try to shake down the owner of the restaurant for some protection money. Kenner steps in and things escalate quickly including Kenner throwing one of the thugs out the restaurant window… that’s about the time the LAPD’s Johnny Murata (Brandon Lee, Rapid Fire) is walking down the street and sees the chaos… Murata and Kenner immediately get into it, not realizing they are both cops and on the same side, but their violent encounter is brief as the Yakuza guys open fire on them. When the smoke clears we find out that Johnny Murata has been reassigned to the Asian Crime Unit and his partner is none other than Chris Kenner.
- In Da Bansai Club: While their police partnership may have gotten off to a rocky start, Kenner and Murata jump right into a case involving the murder of a young lady named Angel Mueller. Angel was killed at a party held at the home of Yakuza boss, Funekei Yushida (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Soldier Boyz). Yushida found out that Angel gave the heads up to a business rival, so he took Angel’s head off with a samurai sword. The investigation leads the dynamic duo of Kenner and Murata to the Bansai Club… the club features the sumo wrestling version of “foxy boxing” with two topless women competing for the enjoyment of the patrons. There’s also men eating sushi off a naked woman and last but not least Minako Okeya (Tia Carrere, True Lies) singing on the main stage. Kenner and Murata even get to meet the owner of the club… who just so happens to be Funekei Yushida… this would probably be a good time to tell you that Yushida killed Chris Kenner’s parents when he was just a young boy. Kenner witnessed the whole thing and even managed to give Yushida a nasty scar on his face.
- Strange Brew: As far as Yushida goes… he is a villain of the highest caliber. In addition to his ownership in the Bansai Club, Yushida has just opened up the Red Dragon Brewery with the plan on using beer bottles/trucks to distribute narcotics. If that diabolical plan isn’t enough for you to buy what I am selling, he Yushida also forces Minako to come home with him, where he shows her the video of her friend Angel being beheaded and then Yushida rapes Minako. As I said… a villain of the highest caliber.
- Suicide Hotline: The next day when Yushida leaves his home to conduct his Yakuza drug empire business, the dishonored Minako is preparing to commit suicide… fortunately for her Kenner and Murata were near by staking out Yushida’s place and see what she is about to do through their binoculars… Kenner springs into action, infiltrates Yushida’s compound, takes out a bunch of Yushida’s men and rescues Minako from herself. Kenner, Minako and Murata then hide out at Kenner’s home before there is a Showdown in Little Tokyo!
Most would consider Showdown in Little Tokyo a direct to video movie despite the movie having a limited theatrical release. With that said the direct to video tag is fair, but it is obvious based on the scope of the movie and the big action pieces in various locations (the truck driving through the brewery is a personal favorite), that the initial plan was for this film to receive a full scale theatrical run and quite honestly it deserved it…. but disputes between the studio and the director prevented that from happening.
The chemistry between Dolph and Brandon was strong, but individually both men shined too. Dolph was in his prime in 1991. The man looked like a star and came across as the larger than life action hero. Brandon had an undeniable charisma about him that more than made up for his acting inexperience.
Now to avoid any showdowns with the Bonus Bullet Points lovers out there, here are some Bonus Bullet Points…
- Familiar Faces: There seemed to be an endless parade of familiar faces in Showdown in Little Tokyo including Gerald Okamura (Ninja Busters) who played Hagata the Torturer… Simon Rhee of Best of the Best fame played Ito… Plus, Al Leong (Action Jackson), James Lew (Midnight Man), Leo Lee (Martial Law II: Undercover) and George Cheung (U.S. Seals 2) all played Yoshida’s uncredited goons.
- If You Ever: …wanted to hear Brandon Lee compliment Dolph Lundgren on the size of his dick, then Showdown in Little Tokyo is the movie for you.
- Directed By: Mark L. Lester was at the helm for Showdown in Little Tokyo adding yet another top notch action film to his filmography joining other classics like Class of 1999 and Commando. Rumor has it there is a 90 minute Director’s Cut of the film that I would absolutely love to see.
- If You Ever: …wanted to hear Tia Carrere’s version of the Pointer Sisters’ 1981 hit “Slow Hand”, then Showdown in Little Tokyo is the movie for you.
- Describe The End of the Film in One Word: Fireworks!
