It’s easy to write off American Yakuza as just another boiler plate early 90’s low budget action film. And to be fair, it fits in nicely alongside the likes of Charlie Sheen’s Beyond the Law and other such “undercover” films. Donnie Brasco this is not.
However, there’s surprisingly more than meets the eye with American Yakuza. Despite its unoriginal plot, stock bad guys, and uninspired direction and cinematography, the friendship between Brandt and Shuji is genuinely heartwarming. Ironically, the most interesting parts of this wannabe Hard Boiled ripoff are the quieter moments shared between Brandt and Shuji. Viggo and Ryo manage to elevate their shared scenes well above what this film actually deserves. And it’s their shared chemistry that enables viewers to buy into the complications Brandt faces as he gets deeper undercover.
While this certainly isn’t the best of Viggo’s filmography, it’s definitely not the worst film I’ve ever seen him in. I’d much rather watch American Yakuza again than sit through Hidalgo, for example.
There is a romantic subplot where Brandt falls for Yuko, an interior designer hired by the Yakuza. While this serves to further show how conflicted Brandt becomes with what he’s being asked to do for his job, it pails in comparison to his relationship with Shuji. Their brotherly bond is the real heart of the film, and the only reason to give this movie a chance.
The film also features Michael Nouri as mob boss, Dino Campanela. His portrayal is stereotypical, but he does his best with what he’s given. His main henchmen is Vic played by a very young Nicky Katt. It was never really made clear if Vic is Dino’s son or just an up-and-comer within the organization, but there is a lightly touched upon subplot between these two that, while interesting, feels out of place in a film like this.
Robert Forster has a small role as Littman, Brandt’s superior, concerned about his agents willingness to see his job through. Franklyn Ajaye plays Sam, Brandt’s handler who is so hammy, he manages to suck whatever tension was being built right out of the film.
Lastly there’s Yuji Okumoto as Kazuo, Shuji’s trusted right-hand man, and number one skeptic of Brandt. He proves to be the toughest nut to crack within the Yakuzan clan, but eventually comes around when Brandt gives him the credit on a job, despite it being Brandt to saved them. Yuji is always a welcome sight to see in any film, and it’s unfortunate that his prime was spent during an age in Hollywood when Asian actors were largely relegated to roles such as this. Viggo and Yuji share what is arguably the funniest scene in the film when Kazuo is forced to take Brandt on a job, and he purposefully annoys him by playing the same Japanese pop song over and over again.
Overall, American Yakuza is a far better film than one would expect, but it’s by no means a masterpiece. This is the sort of film I would recommend to anyone with a couple hours to burn on a weekend afternoon, and have a penchant for digging old school, by-the-numbers action films. For anyone that remembers the sort of films HBO would play during their Thursday Night Prime days back int he 90’s, this flick fits right in with those. Hell, it probably played on one of those nights. If you remember those films fondly, and haven’t seen American Yakuza, I’d say give it a shot.
If you’re still reading this, thank you! I’m J. Kern Radtke, the Reformed Movie Geek saying if you ever find yourself working for the FBI, and you’re tasked with going undercover to infiltrate the Yakuza, do yourself a favor and save the life of the leader first. That’ll make your job a whole lot easier! And who knows, you may just make a new best friend.
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