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Violent Cop
Violent Cop
Actors: Kengakusha Akiyama, Ritsuko Amano, Makoto Ashikawa, Kenichi Endo, Zhao Fanghao
Genres: Indie & Art House, Mystery & Suspense
UR     1999     1hr 43min

Japanese superstar "Beat" Takeshi Kitano was best known as a comedian and talk-show host when he was cast as brutal police detective Azuma in Violent Cop, but the career-changing twist occurred when the original director ...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Actors: Kengakusha Akiyama, Ritsuko Amano, Makoto Ashikawa, Kenichi Endo, Zhao Fanghao
Genres: Indie & Art House, Mystery & Suspense
Sub-Genres: Indie & Art House, Mystery & Suspense
Studio: Fox Lorber
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen,Letterboxed - Subtitled
DVD Release Date: 12/14/1999
Original Release Date: 01/01/1989
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1989
Release Year: 1999
Run Time: 1hr 43min
Screens: Color,Widescreen,Letterboxed
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 0
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Languages: Japanese
Subtitles: English
See Also:

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Movie Reviews

In a word? Fantastic.
Steve | Ireland | 01/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Few have sampled the delights of Kitano's films, but for those of you who have, there is no need to continue reading this review. However, if your new to Kitano's films, or Japanese films in general then all I can say is, buy this without hesitation. Often gruelling, but most definitely engrossing, Violent Cop follows the story of a cop, played by Kitano, who is prone to bouts of severe violence against those who he despises in society. The fact that he works as a cop allows him to meet many of these sorts of people and he never hesitates to start kicking, and perhaps, ask a few questions later. His violent temper does not remain in hiding for the criminals of Japan, but is also unleashed against a man that has a one night stand with his sister. As the film progresses, Kitano'character, Azuma, discovers some shady goings on within the police force which cause grief extremely close to home. Now, if you are not a fan of violent films then I suggest you do not purchase this title as it contains shocking scenes that remain with you well after the film has finished. If you are willing to take the plunge then you will be rewarded with film making at its very best. Kitano's films are subdued to a point that may annoy the more impatient among us, infact alot of people have labeled Kitano's films Art House, which I would disagree with. This film, and all his others, deserve much greater recognition and respect. Do yourself a favour and buy this now. End of Days fans need not apply."
Violent indeed, and very funny.
D. Mok | Los Angeles, CA | 01/30/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

""Beat" Takeshi Kitano's movies aren't so much about story as comic situations, a mix of horror, humour and pathos (a tone later appropriated by Quentin Tarantino for Pulp Fiction), and characters whose unmoving consistency tends to lead them to tragedy.Violent Cop is the most accessible of his films I've seen so far, with strangely staged but compelling action sequences (witness the white-knuckle knife-in-hand scene), some perfectly timed physical comedy, and more of Kitano onscreen than, say, Boiling Point. Though seemingly stiff, Kitano's persona is actually perfect for his movies and the more he writes himself into the story the stronger the movie tends to be.Violent Cop, like many of his other films, has an extremely languid pace that you'll simply have to accept if you're going to accept this movie on its own terms. But the rewards are many: The final plot twist (including a hilarious familiar low-angle frame of his partner walking down the street); kicking at the man who slept with his mentally disturbed sister; playing video games; a strange car chase."
Grittier Than Some, More Contemplative Than Most
Miguel B. Llora | Bay Point, California USA | 12/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps not the best of Takeshi Kitano's movies (I have to admit to preference for Hana-Bi on many levels) but this is by far the grittiest of Takeshi's work. In his directorial debut, famous Japanese television comedian Takeshi Kitano (more commonly known as `Beat' Takeshi) plays Azuma, a brutal but honorable cop who runs out of patience - a Dirty Harry of sorts. Azuma's stifling daily routine necessitates him dealing with - among other things - a naive new partner as well as taking care of, mentally challenged sister. Azuma reaches his breaking point when a fellow cop is killed and drug dealers take prisoner his sister. It is time to take matters in his own hands and Azuma begins taking a different approach - vengeful course that crescendo in a shocking finale. AS mentioned previously, Violent Cop is a startling first feature from Kitano, who replaced director Kinji Fukasaku. First and foremost a television comedian, Kitano allegedly reworked the script to better suit his dark mis-en-scene visualization of the film. This turn of events serves an absorbing introduction to his one of its kind directorial style. Kitano intermixes scenes of intense violence with beautifully contemplative shots - as is evidenced in Hana-Bi aka Fireworks and Boiling Point (both also available on Amazon.com). Notches above in the yakuza genre by adding a contemplative twist, Kitano's films are signposts in 20th century Japanese cinema.

Miguel Llora"
One of the 10 best of Modern Japanese Film
matthew eric henkel | pittsburgh, pa United States | 06/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Darkly humourous, Violent Cop (Sono Otoko Kyobo Ni Tsuki) is the story of an abusive detective named Azuma, as he goes head to head with a rogue member of a tokyo organized crime family. Not for the faint hearted, Violent Cop, is not a hollywood type story, it is depressing and deeply symbolic - very japanese/eurpoean in the flavour of its pathos. Highly recommended for those who appreciate good film."