Arrow Video UK Blu-ray Synopsis: When Japanese filmmaking powerhouse Toei Pictures decided to expand their iconic V-Cinema line to North America, the first result was the explosively violent American Yakuza, featuring an early lead performance from Viggo Mortensen in the title role. Ex-convict Nick David (Mortensen) gets a job in a factory that turns out to be owned by a powerful Japanese crime family. When Nick intervenes in a fiery confrontation and saves the life of family member Shuji (Ryo Ishibashi, Audition), he finds himself climbing the deadly ranks of the Yakuza in its bloody war against the Mafia. There's one problem, however; Nick's real name is David Brandt, and he's an undercover FBI agent whose loyalties will soon be tested to their breaking point. Featuring an outstanding supporting cast including Michael Nouri (The Hidden), Franklyn Ajaye (Deadwood), Nicky Katt (Grindhouse) and Robert Forster (Jackie Brown), director Frank Cappello weaves an exhilarating tale of deception and betrayal in this underseen trans-continental gangster thriller. (95 Mins)

 

Views: Made as an extension of Toei Pictures highly entertaining V-Cinema line, American Yakuza is a Japanese/American co-produced crime-thriller from 1993 that tells the tale of an undercover FBI agent in LA, who is under orders to get close to Yakuza boss Sawamoto and learn the truth about a colleagues murder. Naturally, they form a bond as some assassination attempts bring them closer together, but all is revealed in a blistering showdown that sees them fighting side-by-side for their lives! The feature film debut of Frank A. Cappello – who would go onto direct No Way Back (1995) with Russell Crowe, He Was a Quiet Man (2007), and The Womb (2024), and wrote screenplays for films such as Suburban Commando (1991) and Constantine (2005) – American Yakuza may not be perfect, but it definitely oozes the energy seen in many of Toei's Japanese made V-Cinema titles, not to mention shows obvious inspiration from Hong Kong cinema classics through it's cinematography and action!

 

The great Viggo Mortensen stars as undercover agent David Brandt, and does a great job in the role. Still early on in his career and one of his first as a leading man, Viggo proves his worth and had a steady career until his big break in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings (2001) sometime after. Interestingly, we would only see him return to this sort of character and action-role in the brilliant thrillers A History of Violence (2005) and Eastern Promises (2007) which came after that. Here, Viggo is joined by Japanese actor Ryo Ishibashi – an equally busy talent that can be seen in films such as the similar East/West co-production Blue Tiger that came the following year, Another Lonely Hitman (1995), Back to Back (1996) which was sold as a sequel to American Yakuza in some territories, The Grudge (2004) and it's sequel, War (2007) with Jet Li, and much more. Both work well together as co-stars and it's just a shame an official sequel didn't follow as I'd like to have seen them return in these roles. They are joined by names such as Michael Nouri, Franklyn Ajaye, Robert Forster, John Fujioka, Yuji Okumoto, Anzu Lawson and Jimmy Taenaka among others, with everyone giving relatively decent performances that never detract from the seriousness of the piece.

 

On the Japanese side, the film is supported by the prolific Ichise Takashige as an executive producer, the very same man behind hits like Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (1988), Fist of the North Star (1995) with Gary Daniels, Crying Freeman (1995) and Drive (1997) with Mark Dacascos, The Ring (1998) and it's sequels, Ju-On: The Curse (2000) and following Grudge series, Moonlight Express (1999) with Leslie Cheung, and so much more. Of course, he is joined by a host of other producers from both sides of the pond. As mentioned, the action presented was one of the major highlights for me – oozing the balletic double-handed shoot-outs of John Woo's classics, while giving us some decent stunt work to enjoy. The second was the gorgeous cinematography courtesy of Cappello's direction and the talents of DOP Richard Clabaugh who, surprisingly, hadn't actually done a lot of film work at this stage. Following this, he would go onto shoot films like The Prophecy (1995), No Way Back (1995), Children of the Corn 4: The Gathering (1996), Phantoms (1998) and others, but nothing stands out quite like those captured here in American Yakuza...

 

Recently restored in 2K and released on Blu-ray by Arrow Video, American Yakuza has never looked better and will hopefully find a new audience and resurgence in it's new form. Aside from it's gorgeous new presentation, the release is graced with a wonderful new audio commentary by director Frank Cappello and actress Anzu Lawson. Equally fun to see, was the new 12 minute interview called Yakuza Style with Frank – a fun piece that sees him talk more about the production with genuine excitement, as well as the work he did beforehand. Decoding Honor follows that, a 37 minute interview with star Viggo Mortenson which was taken from it's German release through Shamrock Media. While hardly bursting with energy, it was still great to hear him talk about it after all this time. Thankfully, co-star Ryo Ishibashi gets his time to reminisce, delivering a much more entertaining (10 minute) piece talking about his time on set, acting career and co-stars, which was fun to watch. Closing things off, we also get the original trailer and a fun image gallery as well as reversible artwork on the sleeve!

 

Overall: While American Yakuza may not be a perfect film, this is a wonderful release of an underrated 90s gem and worth checking out!

 

Arrow Video Blu-ray Extras: 2K Restoration, Audio Commentary with Frank Cappello & Anzu Lawson, Interview with Frank Cappello, Interview with Ryo Ishibashi, Achival Interview with Viggo Mortensen, Trailer, Image Gallery