Black Rain

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2:18

Black Rain

R

Released Sep 22, 1989

2h 5m

Crime

Drama

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

New York City policemen Nick (Michael Douglas) and Charlie (Andy Garcia) witness a murder in a bar and quickly apprehend the assailant. The killer, named Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), is a member of Japan's infamous Yakuza mob, and Nick and Charlie must transport the gangster back to Osaka for his murder trial. There, Sato's fellow gangsters free him from police custody, forcing Nick and Charlie to scour Japan's dangerous underworld of organized crime in search of their fugitive.

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Critics Consensus

Black Rain has its fair share of Ridley Scott's directorial flair, but its paint-by-numbers story never rises above genre conventions.

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Joe Clay

The Times (UK)

It’s full of cultural clichés and implausible plot twists, but Scott’s vision of modern-day Osaka as a glittering, futuristic metropolis is dazzling.

Dec 14, 2022

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Even given all of its inconsistencies, implausibilities and recycled cliches, "Black Rain" might have been entertaining if the filmmakers had found the right note for the material.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 1, 2001

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Analyzing it would be like giving a lobotomy to a pea. But as the waiter or chef would say, eat in silence. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 11, 2022

Full Review

Peter Bowen

OutWeek

A rather xenophobic tale of American cops fighting Japanese crime.

May 19, 2020

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Considering the caliber of talent, in front and behind the camera, Ridley Scott's violent cop thriller should have been more engaging and compelling

Rated: C

Apr 7, 2012

Full Review

David Kaplan

Kaplan vs. Kaplan

Rated: 3/5

Mar 1, 2008

Full Review

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Chris W

Again, critics must have agendas they are paid to follow. This remains one of my favorite films. All of the acting, from the leads to the bit players is outstanding. Cinematography/score create an excellent canvas for this excellent story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

Full Review

Jerod S

Douglas is taking the bad guy to Japan - but the whole thing is a bore. You'd think Ridley Scott would serve up more.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

Full Review

Sams K

A badass action drama. Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia are just a great couple.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/27/24

Full Review

Jay H

It looks great - most Ridley Scott movies do. Ultimately, it's predictable and forgettable.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

Full Review

Marcus W

This is the classic maverick rule breaking American/new York cop where the end justifies the means and if you just break the rules and go your own way then you can get results. Sounds like this could have been interesting juxtaposing it against Japanese culture and their more society based philosophy. However I'm fairly sure that the writer had never been to Japan, if you are thinking that you will get any deep insights into Japanese or even Yakuza culture with this movie then you will be sorely mistaken. The movie tries to create some kind of moral tension or plot by making Michael Douglas's character have ethical issues (theft) which the Japanese character helps him with however none of it makes sense. The NYC detectives have no jurisdiction in Japan but shoot Japanese criminals/citizens with complete impunity which is just one of the plot holes. This movie literally made me dumber by the end of it. Also too long. On a plus note I must say it was Ridley Scott directed so some of the scenes had a great vibe and look and cinematographical style to it however this is just not enough. The buddy cop dynamic just wasn't strong enough although Andy Garcia did make a likeable character. Dynamic between douglas and the Japanese cop just didn't make enough sense either.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/24

Full Review

steve s

I thought it was great. It's way better than the scores indicate.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

Full Review

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Ridley Scott

Director

Michael Douglas

Det. Sgt. Nick Conklin

Andy Garcia

Det. Charlie Vincent

Ken Takakura

Asst. Insp. Masahiro Matsumoto

Kate Capshaw

Joyce

Yusaku Matsuda

Sato

Black Rain: Official Clip - Did You Take Money?

2:12

Black Rain: Official Clip - Yakuza Police Raid

2:05

Black Rain: Official Clip - Kendo Confrontation

2:01

Black Rain: Official Clip - Arresting Sato

1:47

Black Rain: Official Clip - Motorcycle Decapitation

1:52

Black Rain: Official Clip - Yakuza Hideout Gunfight

1:14

Black Rain: Official Clip - Airport Trickery

2:02

Black Rain: Official Clip - Motorcycle Chase

2:04

Black Rain: Official Clip - New York Motorcycle Race

1:44

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Black Rain: Trailer 1

2:18

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Synopsis

New York City policemen Nick (Michael Douglas) and Charlie (Andy Garcia) witness a murder in a bar and quickly apprehend the assailant. The killer, named Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), is a member of Japan's infamous Yakuza mob, and Nick and Charlie must transport the gangster back to Osaka for his murder trial. There, Sato's fellow gangsters free him from police custody, forcing Nick and Charlie to scour Japan's dangerous underworld of organized crime in search of their fugitive.

Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: Stanley R. Jaffe, Sherry Lansing
Screenwriter: Craig Bolotin, Warren Lewis
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Pegasus Film Partners
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 22, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 11, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.9M
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby SR, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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