Review of Rising Sun (1993) by Jeffrey M — 13 Apr 2011

Rising Sun (1993).

There was a big fear back in the 80s and 90s about Japan taking over American businesses and basically, our way of life. You saw that fear in movies like Blade Runner, Die Hard, and others. Now it seems like China is the next new boogyman.

This movie, Based on the Michael Crichton novel, just took advantage of that fear and played with it inside of a buddy-cop/murder mystery. It also tried to explain a little bit about Japanese culture while also throwing in a bunch of the standard cliches and stereotypes.

Police Lieutenant, Webster Smith (Wesley Snipes) is a cop who has been taking Japanese language lessons and has been eyeing the special liaison position to Japanese nationals in L.A. He's called in to investigate a murder at a Japanese business where they have been negotiating a U.S. defense contract and a girl has wound up dead.

On his way he is told by his commanding officer, Tom Graham (Harvey Keitel) to pick up a John Connor (Sean Connery), an expert on Japanese affairs. To Webster's disgust, John sort of takes over as the senior liaison of the investigation.

On top of that, some of the suspects are people that John has had a past with, including the number one suspect, Eddie Sakamura (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) who has ties to the Yakuza. What looks like a simple, cut and dry murder, turns out to be an elaborate investigation involving big businesses, politics, and the Yakuza.

We follow along with Lt. Smith and learn the little nuances and polite protocols, as well as the cover-ups that are going on behind the facade. John also has a friend who Webster is eyeing, Jingo Asakuma (Tia Carrera) who is helping with some of the more high tech stuff.

There isn't a lot of action, but some nice suspense, and who can deny seeing a movie with Snipes and Connery together.