Written by Drew Deitch | Published
The buddy cop action subgenre peaked in the 1980s, but continued to be a welcome comfort for moviegoers into the 1990s. However, people were ready for a fresher take on the material and an old-fashioned buddy cop flick was needed to inject its own flavor into the mix. This is how we arrived Showdown in Little Tokyoa 1991 Los Angeles shootout that brought together Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, Universal Soldier) and rising action star Brandon Lee, son of movie icon Bruce Lee.
Unfortunately, due to the studio re-cut and casting by Warner Bros. (They’re good at getting rid of movies) Showdown in Little Tokyo It ended up being a forgotten and unwanted little film that has thankfully grown a cult following over the years. After watching it for the first time, I realized how much we were deprived of the buddy cop franchise that could have been a product of this little movie.
Why the showdown at Little Tokyo Rocks?
Showdown in Little Tokyo His Sergeant Chris Keener (Lundgren), who grew up in Japan, gets a new partner, Detective Johnny Murata (Lee), an American of Japanese descent. However, Murata doesn’t care or even know much about Japanese culture. Meanwhile, Keener lives his life in a very traditional Japanese style. This cartoonish setup allows for a lot more fun than you’d expect, especially since Lee and Lundgren actually have some comical but endearing chemistry.
Add to the mix Hiroyuki Tagawa’s curry (Mortal Kombat, Phantom) as a truly diabolical Yakuza villain with a connection to Keener’s past and Showdown in Little Tokyo It’s the kind of corny cheese that you either love or can’t stand. Yes, it has “problematic” elements but it is also a product of its time. Not to mention, it’s very silly and embraces that anime sensibility. It’s a silly Saturday morning, and it shouldn’t be taken seriously as much as it is the best representation of Asian American cinema.
Instead, enjoy the hippo camaraderie that quickly blossoms between Lundgren and Lee. Enjoy a fast, jam-packed 79 minutes of running time – admittedly, ten minutes were cut by Warner Bros. According to director Mark L. Leicester – ensuring the high tone is kept up with maximum entertainment. Go ahead and watch the first big action scene and tell me this doesn’t look like a fun popcorn time:
If this doesn’t sound like the kind of movie that will put a smile on your face, I don’t know if we can be friends.
The privilege we never had
Showdown in Little Tokyo It was released in theaters in August 1991 and opened at #16. Oops. It went on to gross just over $2 million before ending its run at the box office. A few years later, Brandon Lee tragically lost his life after an accident while filming Crow. After his death, his films gained further reappraisal. still, Showdown in Little Tokyo It showed real promise for both Lee and Lundgren as a buddy cop duo. Their huge charm came from a place of goofy warmth that comes across in the film.
Makes me wish we’d see at least one more movie with these two. Lundgren’s character is given more focus when it comes to backstory and perspective. A sequel would have given me a chance to delve deeper into Johnny Murata’s history and how that could strengthen his relationship with Keener. The idea of a series of films with these two cartoon characters feels like they exist in an alternate universe that I would very much like to visit.
Unfortunately, we only have Showdown in Little Tokyo For this specific pairing that appears on the screen. If you’ve never seen it, let the cheesy taste melt away in less time than most modern action blockbusters. You could do a lot worse with 79 minutes of your time.