Leofwine_draca American Yakuza tries to be two separate movies and ends up failing in both attempts. The first side of the story is of relationship between Nick and Shuji, two men who end up becoming almost inseparable. This strand works thanks to strong acting from Viggo Mortensen and Ryo Ishibashi.Unfortunately, the more predominant side of the story is the usual "turf war" stuff involving copious shoot-outs, slow motion and people flying through the air while firing two pistols. Yes, we're in a Hollywood that had taken note of John Woo's films and was doing everything to emulate them. Unfortunately, the action sequences here are just imitation, and rather silly as a result.Although the depiction of the Yakuza in this film is rather understated - we learn little of the warrior code that we see in the likes of Takeshi's BROTHER - Ishibashi is outstanding as the gangster with a conscience.I also found the amount of story in the film to be too little. There just isn't enough intrigue to sustain the running time and including B-movie favourites like Michael Nouri and Robert Forster just isn't enough. Try HARD-BOILED instead.

Franz Kreiger Viggo kicks ass in this movie. What made it interesting to me was to see just how far someone goes to keep their cover while infiltrating a crime organization. The Yakuza have a lasting impression on those that it deals with both friends and foes. All the blood in this movie (and there's a good amount of it) was done very well. The women in the movie are also very nice. I remember one of the scenes had a set of massive knockers in a little shower scene while her husband/boyfriend was being assassinated. They never showed what happened to the girl but I bet they had played some basketball with those babies. B movie or not it still gets my good vote.

jaakkochan A story of a police who infiltrates inside Yakuza which has business in US soil. But soon he discovers the beauty and respect of family he's offered place in.. Companela's guys, Italian mafiosos are seen arrogant and dumb, while Japanese criminals are somewhat peace loving; a bit too romantic setting. But still, not bad setting. Ryo Ishibashi acts well as Japanese Yakuza, and Viggo Mortensen is ever so cool.

lillian.lee The plot offers very few surprises. It is a standard B-movie plot with formula characters.However, two things raise this movie from the usual B-movie fare.First, both Viggo Mortensen and Ryo Ishibashi turn in understated, yet thoughtful, performances that create chemistry and add a dimension of believability to their characters beyond what simply appears on-screen.Second, creative camera angles and striking visuals lend an air of intelligence and elegance to many of the key scenes in the movie.