Showdown in Little Tokyo

Starring:Dolph Lundgren, Brandon Lee, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Tia Carrere, ToshirÃ´ Obata, Philip Tan, Rodney Kageyama, Ernie Lively, Renee Griffin, Reid Asato, Takayo Fischer, Simon Rhee, Vernee Watson-Johnson, Lenny Imamura, Roger Yuan, Susan E. Cox, Rick Cramer, Keith Boldroff, Gerald Okamura, R. David Smith
Director: Mark L. Lester
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Showdown in Little Tokyo is a 1991 martial arts action-comedy that, in pitting Dolph Lundgren and Brandon Lee as L.A. cops against Japanese drug dealers, plays like a B-movie Tango and Cash or Lethal Weapon 2 (both released just two years before). Between career highs in Rocky IV (1985) and Universal Soldier (1992), Lundgren looked as if he might make it big at the box office, and clearly wanting to be the new Schwarzenegger he is here directed by Mark L Lester, who had earlier helmed Ah-nold's Commando (1985). In the event both actor and director headed for straight-to-video territory, while Lee (Bruce's son) went on to The Crow. The 75-minute running time suggests the studio lost confidence and seriously cut the movie though, as the space between the action is filled with nothing but cringe-inducing dialogue, thriller clichés, and Lundgren "romancing" Tia Carrere, it still makes sense. Basing its title on John Carpenter's 1986 fantasy-comedy Big Trouble in Little China and anticipating Rush Hour (1998), Showdown in Little Tokyo alternates between crude tongue-in-cheek moments and action so ludicrous it's unintentionally hilarious . A camp disaster that simply defies belief, this is so-bad-it's-good entertainment. --Gary S. Dalkin

Customer Reviews:

You Get What You Pay For.......2007-07-01

I enjoyed this movie very much. I do not go to an action 90's movie
expecting to see Sir Laurence Olivier. Nor do I expect Lundgren to become
the Govenor of California. This movie is fantasy, if you pay your money
and expect Hamlet, you are guilty of a poor investment.

The movie is exactly what I thought it would and should be. Sure there
are disturbing segments, but no more so than an esoteric study such as
"The Hours". Honestly, is the genre and dialog any worse than "Lethal
Weapon"? Are the Asian slurs and stereotypes any different than "Black
Rain"

"You get what you pay for. . . ." and with this movie and the proper
release of reality, cinematic snobery and (yes) good taste, you will get
even more. Try not to enjoy it too much! Just remember not to take it
too seriously. After all, do we really know Luke Skywalker can operate
a futuristic X-wing fighter after quitting the dirt farmer profession?

This is an action movie a woman can enjoy too.......2007-06-26

Im not one for 80s or early 90s action movies but i did really enjoy this one. Most action movies that have a woman being rescued etc. in it seem pretty cheesy cause the woman usually acts really fake. I admire Tia Carrere and I think she was pretty strong in this film. Who can forget her and dolph getting it on to? Not to be perverted or anything but that somewhat draws a woman into a action movie. I would defintely watch this movie again...and dont worry guys its not a sappy movie or anything but i would defintely watch it on a 2nd date...might get lucky!

"In between cooking cycles you're supposed to baste us!".......2007-01-25

Scandic ubermensch Dolph Lundgren teams up with genetically-destined martial arts master Brandon Lee to deliver a short, hilarious and action-packed performance as two policemen fighting LA's merciless (and unintentionally campy)yakuza.
As the two are initially paired we see their struggle to mesh their differing socio-historical views of Japanese culture, as Kenner (Dolph) tries to persuade Murata (Lee) of the intrinsic superiority of all things Japanese, from apparel to furniture (and women too, as proven by singer and "seppuku supporter" Miyako (Tia Carere), the inevitable love interest).
The pair confront new yakuza boss Yoshida and his clan as they plan to unleash on America drugs packaged in beer bottles so to allow Americans to enjoy both "our beer and our drugs while watching football" as Yoshida blissfully claims.
You will be entertained in seeing men breaking their own necks (and then, thanks to the magic that is cinema, appear in the subsequent scene very much alive), breasty blondes getting decapitated, bathtub fights, careless yakuza employees losing their fingers, katana swords and the unmistakable "male bonding" process that treats the viewer to dialogue that makes "Brokeback Mountain" seem like a manifest for heterosexuality in comparison. The dialogues are in fact the ace in the hole of this film: poignant, soulful and unforgettable ("Put the finger in the trash", "This time I heard you coming", the review title etc.). In the end the duo unleashes their vendetta on "oyabun" Yoshida, the man also responsible for making sashimi out of Kenner's parents when he was a child.
All in all, an interesting martial arts flick, some good fights, some original deaths and some phrases of sure interest for nostalgics of the American 80s action genre.

expected more.......2006-10-22

Dolph Lundgren and Brandon Lee star as a cop duo in this action flick that attempts humor with some decent martial arts. In the end, Showdown is ok, an average movie with nothing too exciting that will make you want to watch it again anytime soon.

The coolest thing about the movie are the two stars. The late Brandon Lee (The Crow, Rapid Fire) displays a few scenes of some great martial arts skills, while Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, Universal Soldier) is his usual physically overwhelming self, kicking butt wherever he goes. Unfortunately, these two guys have done better in some of their other films, but it is cool to see them together in one movie. Their chemistry, though, is a bit lacking, as is the cheesy humor that fails to be humurous. Maybe back in the good old day it might have been. The villain is played by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Kickboxer 2, Mortal Kombat) who is just downright dirty in this film. A sick villain, to say the least, as mentioned by another review here, that disturbing scene with the beheading of the blonde. In the end, Lundgren gets a swordfight against the Hiroyuki character, but unfortunately the scene is about over before it begins, and then the credits soon roll.

Showdown has very little story or plot. Most of the movie consists of pure action scenes and then some. The 2 cops chase the bad guys, and they chase them. Back and forth it goes. Acting, of course, is below par, as is with most action movies. I emphasive the R rating on this film as well, for there is scene after scene of naked women, cursing, and some gruesome events. Some of it just becomes annoying.

If you like Brandon Lee, Dolph Lundgren, and ok martial arts action, Showdown should be worth renting. Buying may not be necessary, its not as good as I had hoped.

showdown in little tokyo.......2006-07-05

Very good Dolph and Brandon make a good time nice moves and the bad guys you love to hate.

Average customer rating:

And when we get done, we're going to go eat fish off those naked chicks!

Showdown in Little Tokyo/Bloodsport
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme , Donald Gibb , Leah Ayres , Norman Burton , and Forest Whitaker
Director: Newt Arnold , and Mark L. Lester
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Kickboxer
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ASIN: B000E8QVCO
Release Date: 2006-05-02

Description

No wimps! Get ready for a knock-down, shake-down Showdown in Little Tokyo (Side A) when Dolph Lundgren and Brandon Lee team in the "smart, fast-moving martial-arts action-adventure" (Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times). L.A.'s colorful Little Tokyo is the setting as buddy cops Lundgren and Lee battle an entrenched cadre of Japanese gangsters (and try to avoid being filleted into sashimi by Yakuza swordsmen!). Jean-Claude Van Damme makes his first headlining role one to remember in Bloodsport (Side B), a stirring brawlfest about the first Westerner ever to win the Kumite, Hong Kong's fierce, single-elimination world championship of full-contact fighting. This is action that connects again and again!

Customer Reviews:

And when we get done, we're going to go eat fish off those naked chicks!.......2007-04-15

I already knew before ordering this that I liked both of these films, but was curious as to the versions included on this Double Feature DVD. Turns out they're not bad, but could have been a little better.

Showdown In Little Tokyo is a ridiculous romp through early 90's Action/Martial Arts cheese-sploitation that does more than just entertain despite its visible flaws. It acknowledges its own shortcomings with a sly wink and nod. Owning up to the schlocky context from the get go makes it much easier to take things like Dolph Lundgren's wooden delivery and uneven on-screen persona. Brandon Lee was no acting champ either. Luckily there's not a ton of meaningful conversation or verbal exposition here. After the opening and set-up, the fighting and shooting begins. All of this is punctuated by dialog that's certainly snappy on paper, but sometimes gets lost in 'translation' (meaning Dolph to English).

Tia Carrere AND her body double both look fantastic here. Which reminds me of another positive aspect to the film. It's a real R rated movie, which means naked girls, open drug abuse by criminal elements, blood during fights, etc... In my personal opinion those things almost always make a movie better. Finally, the picture quality is decent but the film is presented in Full Screen format which is a slight bummer. Overall I have to give this one 3/5 stars considering that it's Full Screen and has no special features included. It's the perfect movie for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon when you have nothing to do for 75 minutes and want to turn your brain off.

Bloodsport, while being an Amercian Martial Arts cult classic, is a cut above most films that claim that status. One of the benefits you'll get from watching this after Showdown In Little Tokyo is that Jean Claude Van Damme's (henceforth referred to as JCVD) lines don't sound so silly for the first minute or two. For some reason though, as the story progresses, JCVD's character Frank Dux (prounouced 'Dukes') gets better and better at delivering believable and nuanced dialog. Again here though, not much time is spent on long conversations or verbal interactions. Things are communicated by pulverizing bricks, primal screaming while flexing every muscle in the body and/or backspin kicking people in the face... repeatedly. BUT I would be remiss if I didn't point out the admirable acting performances by Forest Whittaker and Norman Burton as the two Army Officers charged with finding Frank Dux and returning him to the Army. Whittaker especially seizes on his role with gusto, adding depth and real meaningfulness to his scenes.

Not only is the set-up for the story nicely handled, it provides for a compelling climax that remains exciting despite its predictability. Even some of the more dated aspects like the music and the fashion manage to seem like fond reminders of the time when I first saw Bloodsport. Additionally, this transfer is 16x9 1.85:1, and looks fantastic! Opening credits are a bit crackly, but after that the picture is sparkling and crisp. Great job on that and the sound. Theatrical trailer and Cast/Crew details are included as extras.

Overall this is a great Double Feature package for fans of Martial Arts Action films from the late 80's/early 90's. Showdown In Little Tokyo is a 3 1/2 Star movie with an OK presentation here. Bloodsport is a 4 Star movie with a 4 Star presentation.

Average: 4 stars

Average customer rating:

You Get What You Pay For
This is an action movie a woman can enjoy too
"In between cooking cycles you're supposed to baste us!"
expected more
showdown in little tokyo

Showdown in Little Tokyo [Region 2]
Starring: Dolph Lundgren , Brandon Lee , Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa , Tia Carrere , and Toshirô Obata
Director: Mark L. Lester
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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