Black Rain (Special Collector's Edition)

If you were there in the late 80s, 'Black Rain' is a time capsule for that moment where it was just common knowledge in the west that the future was all about Japan economically, a notion that was met with equal parts fascination and fear ('suppose they hold a grudge over the nukes?'). 'Black Rain' was there to capitalize on this in full-force, with Ridley Scott presenting Japan as though it had already reached his dystopian vision of 'Blade Runner' in real-life, and all the locals being so gosh-darned exotic and inscrutable. It's almost... cute?To its credit, 'Black Rain' never says any of this out loud, so it's easy to ignore that context if you wish (but hey, why would you? It's interesting), but the movie has all kinds of other distracting side-business: Michael Douglas seems almost desperate to be taken seriously as an action star (he does good here, actually, but I didn't come away thinking we missed out on Michael Douglas: Action Hero); the credits even list the production as being done "In Association With Michael Douglas" (!) so this was obviously an important role to him.Other tidbits: this seems to have been made at a time when they were trying to sell Andy Garcia as Italian, and we also get Kate Capshaw in a somewhat darker variation of her character from 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom': being a glamorous American working in a swanky Asian nightclub that frequents organized crime bosses is some very specific type-casting, but hey, when you got a niche...OK, I've had my fun knocking 'Black Rain' around, but credit where credit is due: the performances are credible, the cinematography is gorgeous like we expect from a Ridley Scott feature, and it does its genre justice as a crime thriller. It's just that it has obvious pretensions that come off more silly than serious, especially in retrospect.

So I'm not really sure whats going on here as there are numerous bluray listings for this film on here. But the 9.99 collectors blu released in 2017 is listed as region B and will not play in us players. Well that I can tell you is incorrect and is region free as I received mine today and tested it. I think this is a pretty big deal as most of the other listings for what I assume is the region A release sell for 24 to 30 dollars. It also packs all the extras found n the collectors edition and looks fantastic. So hopefully you've been lucky enough to read this and save yourself 20 bucks, and hopefully Amazon can get their information correct at some point, its costing people unnecessary money

**NO SPOILER REVIEW** I really liked this movie. This movie has some amazing cinematography, and does a fairly good job of portraying the culture shock that an American would experience during a first time visit to Japan, even though it's somewhat simplified and is also trying to be a buddy cop movie where there's also a good cop/bad cop dynamic. Bottom line is, it's a movie, some themes will have to simplified otherwise it'd be a 3 hour slog.The concepts of "GAIJIN" and Japanese police culture aren't fully explained so if you take some time to learn about these two things beforehand it makes the movie much more cohesive and ... well, just helps things make more sense. The movie 'Freakonomics' details a fascinating aspect of Japanese police culture which is on full display in this film, I highly recommend you watch that segment in 'Freakonomics' on Japanese policing (probably 20-30 minutes long) I'd also suggest you briefly read up on Japanese people's disdain for a "Gaijin" prior to watching this movie if you aren't familiar with either concept. It will greatly enhance your viewing experience. Also keep in mind that in Japanese culture, saving face and maintaining honor (in all aspects of life, not just policing) is of the utmost importance, this will help explain why the Japanese seemed to do some of the things they did in the movie. It wasn't that unrealistic if you ask me.FYI: I served overseas as a military servicemember in Tokyo (so I WAS the Gaijin), this is partially why I enjoyed the film so much. If you lived in Japan like I did you probably don't need to read up on "Gaijin" or research too deeply into Japanese culture since you're already familiar.I'm rating this 5 stars because some other people rated the movie way too low imo, the cinematography alone is 5 star quality, the plot is somewhat predictable at times but there are a few surprising twists so I wasn't disappointed. If you ever traveled to Japan (which would help you understand and enjoy the film's setting easier) or if you enjoy Asian themed cop flicks (i.e. Police Story, Supercop, etc.) then you'll like this movie. I watched the Amazon Prime streaming version, so for a free movie on Prime it's definitely worth a watch!

This is one of the best movies I ever watched.

Every character shines in Black Rain. Strong story. Visually captivating. I watched it in the theater when it debuted decades ago and the film holds up.

Michael Douglas at his best. The plot was interesting, and action kept your adrenaline rushing. I watch it at least two to three times a year.

I brought this on blu ray as I remembered - vaguely the film. I wish that I had not bothered as michael douglas who can not act at the best of times really does not add anything to this film apart from a badly acted permanently moody ham impression of an american detective out for revenge. The ever brilliant Andy Garcia is as always very watchable as are the Japanese actors who are very convincing as yakuza baddies and police officers. Kate Capshaw tries desperately to make it look as if she can act and is worth the fee they paid her for all her attempts to act....think indiana jones and her perpetual screaming fest in that.All in all very dissappointing, aged badly and very cliched with michael douglas typical of his stereo - typed character who is both extremely rude and disrespectful to his Japanese hosts after Andy Garcia is killed by the yakuza. Cliched and out dated it is not worth watching and our copy went straight in the bin.

It's one of those handful of Ridley Scott films that has passed me by somehow, but I recently caught it and was pleasantly surprised.Despite a couple of flourishes which serve to date it (Greg Allman's rather overdone end ballad for example), this is an effective and enjoyable thriller featuring Micheal Douglas as a New York cop who ends up, with his partner (Andy Garcia), transporting a Japanese criminal back to Japan only to be tricked into letting him go. Remaining in Japan to help catch him, the two are drawn into the darker side of Yakuza gang, counterfeiting and cultural divides with an engaging local cop and an American woman living in the city.In some ways the plot doesn't entirely re-write the rulebook, but it's given a sophisticated edge by the supremely talented visualist Scott, who takes the story and drapes it in gorgeous set design and cinematography. It looks pretty good on Blu-ray (especially when you see the non HD trailer provided as an extra). As far as extras go, there's a solid commentary by Ridley Scott and about an hour's worth of interviews and 'making of' material. It all adds up to a solid package for a well made film.

It's been quite a few years since I watched this film and it was interesting to see it now.The films wears well and has a dark, brooding look about it.Michael Douglas fairs well as the New York cop having to deal with Internal Affairs and then having to deal with losing a prisoner upon landing in Japan as well as his partner being killed.Ridley Scott does a good job with the movie, punching plenty of action throughout.The premise of the story is interesting although not dealt with too deeply. Revenge on two counts is the order of the day.Considering the age of the film, I have to say its thoroughly entertaining.

Watchable but not a very good quality dvd transfer , suggest blue ray would be a better option. Good seller , so so DVD.

This movie is a classic. Shame the quality of the DVD was not the best. I think it might be a copy.