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by Drew Deitch
| published
The buddy cop subgenre of action films peaked in the 1980s, but it continued to be a comfortable and welcome avenue for moviegoers well into the 1990s. However, people were ready for fresher renditions of the material and an old-fashioned buddy cop video needed to inject its own special flavor into the mix. That’s how we arrived Confrontation in Little TokyoA 1991 Los Angeles shooter that brought together Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, Universal solider) and rising action star Brandon Lee, son of film icon Bruce Lee.
Unfortunately, due to a studio cut and recast by none other than Warner Bros. (they’re good at throw movies), Confrontation in Little Tokyo In the end a forgotten and unwanted little film, which luckily has grown a following over the years. After watching it for the first time, I realize how much we were robbed of a buddy cop franchise that could have been made from this little treat of a movie.
Why deal with little Tokyo Rocks
Confrontation in Little Tokyo Sergeant Chris Kenner (Lundgren), who grew up in Japan, has a new partner, Detective Johnny Murata (Lee), an American of Japanese heritage. However, Murata doesn’t care or even know much about Japanese culture. Meanwhile, Kenner lives his life in very traditional Japanese fashion. This cartoon setting makes for more fun than you’d expect, especially since Lee and Lundgren actually have a crazy but likable chemistry.
Add to the curry-Hiruki Tagawa mixture (Mortal Kombat, the phantom) as a truly diabolical yakuza villain with a connection to Kenner’s past Confrontation in Little Tokyo It’s the kind of cliché cheese 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 so absurd and embraces that cartoony sensibility. It’s as silly a Saturday morning as you can get, and shouldn’t be taken too seriously in terms of being the best representation of Asian-American cinema.
Instead, enjoy the rapidly blossoming Himbo friendship between Lundgren and me. Feast your eyes on the brisk and busy 79-minute runtime—admittedly, ten minutes were allegedly cut by Warner Bros. according to director Mark L. Lester – who makes sure to keep the tone heightened with maximum entertainment. Go ahead, watch the first big action scene and tell me that doesn’t look like a good time for popcorn:
If this doesn’t look like the kind of movie that will put a smile on your face, I don’t know if we can be friends.
The franchise we never got
Confrontation in Little Tokyo Hit theaters in August 1991 and opened at #16. Ugh. It went on to rake in just over $2 million before ending its box office run. A few years later, Brandon Lee would tragically lose his life after an accident on the set of the crow. After his death, his films received a renewed appreciation. more, Confrontation in Little Tokyo Showed real promise to Lee and Lundgren as a buddy cop duo. Their neck charms came from a place of silly warmth that comes through in the movie.
It makes me wish we could have seen at least one more movie with these two. Lundgren’s character gets more of the focus when it comes to backstory and perspective. A sequel would have given Lee a chance to delve into Jonny Morata’s history and how it could strengthen his relationship with Kenner. The idea of a movie series with these two cartoon laughing heads feels like it exists in an alternate universe that I really want to visit.
Unfortunately, we only have Confrontation in Little Tokyo for that particular match on the screen. If you’ve never seen it, let its white goodness wash over you in less time than it takes most modern action blockbusters to get going. You could do a lot worse with 79 minutes of your time.
