TheFilmGuy1 This is Takeshi Kitano's directorial debut, and damn, it's a good way to open a directing career. Violent Cop is a film about, well... look at the title. While it may not be 100% in the style that Kitano's later films are, you can see many aspects of his later films were started. Kitano plays a cop who goes above and beyond when it comes to the kind of wild things that Dirty Harry did. He's an even looser cannon than Harry, and that's saying something. Kitano plays the role well, doing his usual stoic face act. He comes across as quite scary and threatening. All the other side characters do a good job too. Visually it does a lot of the things that Kitano is known for. Long shots, close ups, interesting editing, etc. You can see the foundation of Kitano's later films within this one. Now since this was his first attempt at directing, it can occasionally feel a bit slow. When I was about half way through, it felt like I had been watching for longer. Also the plot can be a bit confusing at times. Scenes occur that sometimes feel like they didn't have a lot to do with the main plot, or characters appear that you aren't exactly sure if you have seen briefly before or not. Kitano's later films tighten up the plot for sure, so I understand that this one is a little bit more rough since it's his first directing gig.Over all, it's an interesting tale of a loose cannon cop. If you're a fan of Kitano and haven't seen it, check it out. Also watch it if you are in the mood for an unique Japanese film or a movie that shows that late 80's/early 90's vibe, because this movie certainly has that.

economically_deficient I admit, I have fallen prey into appreciating, respecting, and even loving the style of Takeshi Kitano. With "Brother" being my first Kitano film, it was slightly difficult for me to get into his awkward directing methods. Long takes of characters moving (or sitting, or standing) lifelessly, sudden bursts of graphic violence, occasional humor, strange editing techniques, etc. It took me a while to fully appreciate his way of telling a story and developing his characters. Eventually, once I realized how it was meant to be I simply got hooked. Kitano has definitely set a name for himself as a respected filmmaker in Asian Cinema and film-making itself.All the ass-kissing aside, I decided to check out his early stuff to see how it all started. And I must say, Violent Cop came out as a disappointment to me.In fact, if it wasn't for a few interesting scenes and the Kitano flavored direction, I'd say it was downright HORRIBLE.So where do we go from here? Well, I've barely seen any of Kitano's usual comedic routines in Japan, so I was able to take him seriously in this film. That's a start.I'll try summing up what I think went wrong with this film: Kitano got a hold of a director's position for the first time, but got too excited and smeared the whole film (nervously) with his own style.That's how it feels like watching Violent Cop. It tries too hard to be different (not saying being different is a bad thing, but it certainly feels forced in this one). I understand this was Kitano's very first effort in directing (he even acknowledges in an interview that he truly dislikes this film), but if you're more into his recent work (or anything after Violent Cop really), there's a high chance you'll be disappointed."The Cons": The BIGGEST issue I have with the whole film isn't the direction (it's not bad at all), it's the freaking script. The story almost goes nowhere. I had a hard time telling why many scenes were in the film (especially by the second half). It feels like they were there for the sake of being there. Maybe I'm wrong, or I don't grasp the whole "art" behind it, but it certainly felt very sloppy in this one. Don't get me wrong, the story has its moments, and it's not much confusing, but there's too much focus on the most unnecessary of things."The Pros": Now that I've vented my frustration with the film... The presence of Kitano's direction make up for the whole messed up script. I find the opening shot to be bizarrely riveting, and traces of the Kitano directorial spice which eventually evolved into much better films are to be found in Violent Cop. The characters were quite believable (Kitano does shine as always with showing very little emotion-besides rage, of course), some were creepy, some just really messed up (I felt truly sorry for the main character's daughter), all in all a decent acting effort. The violence was pretty satisfying, too. Also, the film contains probably the single most awesome foot/car chase I've ever seen (don't get your hopes up, though); seriously, as these mainstream films try their best to make it "breathtaking", Kitano captures it beautifully in this one. The slow music, the way we see them running from the strangest angles, the whole scene lasts over ten minutes, and it's simply really damn cool! In the end: Check it out, it won't hurt. Though, if you've seen any of Kitano's other films then prepare to be somewhat disappointed. If you're starting out with him, I suggest you seek out a different title instead (perhaps Sonatine or Brother).

Scarecrow-88 How apt the film's title really is! A blood feud enrages when a detective and drug lord's assassin lock horns. Corruption is plaguing the police force as Azuma's(Beat Yakeshi)colleague, Iwaki(Sei Hiraizumi), is helping deal drugs for a drug lord, Nito(Ittoku Kishibe) Nito's assassin, Kiyohiro(Hakuryu) is targeted by Azuma because Iwaki is found hanging from a bridge by his neck through a noose. Azuma soon frames him with planted drugs, locks him in a room at the police station where he batters the man, even almost putting a bullet in him. Losing his job as a cop, Azuma is attacked from behind by the assassin with a cat-and-mouse ensuing with the result being an obvious bloody showdown.Director Kitano's amazing debut certainly echoes Dirty Harry in Azuma's unorthodox methods of handing out justice. Except Kitano's detective often obtains information through beating those he interrogates senseless. Usually, though, the ones he smacks around deserve a bit of punishment for their thuggish behavior & criminal activities. In one scene, Iwaki is trying to smooth things over between a gigolo and a girl he got pregnant(..for whom he also physically abuses)..in typical Azuma fashion, the detective beats the gigolo up right in the hallway of the police precinct! One of my favorite scenes concerns a drug pusher with info Azuma needs regarding who he's selling dope for, in the bathroom of a discotheque..Azuma continues to repeatedly slap this joker until the guy finally cracks revealing the drug lord as a restaurateur named Nito. What I found most fascinating was just how the assassin Kiyohiro and Azuma are similar. They are actually, in my opinion, cut from the same cloth, just on opposing sides of the law. Both carry themselves without fear of what lies in front of them..with a cold, steely expression, the two exact punishment to those that oppose them. One, Azuma, uses violent methods to extract the information he needs or to put a person in their place. The killer, Kiyohiro, dutifully removes the thorns from his employer's side. Neither flinches when facing an obstacle or opponent and will hurt you bad if need be. But, both men have a hair trigger and are easily willing to wipe somebody out. It's appropriate that the cop will lose his job and go vigilante as it seems both he and the assassin are fated to meet in a gunfight to the death. Almost like the OK Coral is the vehicle lot where these two stare down each other before the shooting begins. The film has moments of startling violence interspersed with subtle humorous touches of Azuma and his faithfully law-abiding, naive partner, Kikuchi(Makoto Ashikawa). Kikuchi, appears anyway, to be very by-the-book, patiently dealing with his often unhinged partner who can uncork at any moment stomping a suspect or insider who knows something of importance regarding their case. One particularly breathtaking sequence involves the chase of a criminal with information on drugs running throughout the city, after bashing and killing a police officer over the head with a baseball bat. Azuma, unflinchingly, runs him over with the car he's driving! If you are familiar with Beat's characters in films, his cop is the same. A stone face hiding the obvious emotions present inside, unshakably like an impenetrable rock, his cop uses blunt force to speak for him. Sure a smile cracks every once in a while, mostly at his partner's ways, but Azuma buries most of what other cops wear on their sleeve. There's a scene I found amusing where Azuma is told he's fired as the detective stares down his chief without batting an eyelash with the camera lingering on him seemingly forever.The opening of the film really sets the tone for how our "hero" works as a police officer..a group of mean kids harm a beggar on a street corner minding his own business. Azuma follows one of them to his home. He invites himself in to the kid's house to his mom's bewilderment. And, Azuma subsequently smacks the kid around telling the brat to turn himself in! Something I also found amusing was how Azuma almost always walks..everywhere, it seems, in this film he's trotting to this or that destination on foot. The film also shows another problem Azuma has to deal with..a mentally retarded sister who doesn't turn away from men wanting sex, and we see what her brother does to one fellow who took advantage of her, getting thrown down the steps, his body pouring into the street as Azuma slaps the back of his head, kicking his shin as both men walk to a bus stop. When Kiyohiro kidnaps her, getting the poor girl hooked on heroine, Azuma's decision regarding her need for a fix is truly haunting. Like most of Kitano's future characters, whose lives revolve around crime, his violent cop here is a doomed character fated for only one certain outcome. Also, this film cleverly shows that even if one major crime lord is removed by deadly means, there's always another waiting to take his position..and that goes for corrupt cops as well.

gangstahippie Rated NR(would be Rated R for Strong Violence,Sexuality and Drug Content) I have seen Violent Cop twice on IFC.I must say it is an excellent movie and if you get the chance to watch it, do so!.Its one of the greatest non-anime films to come out of Japan.Apparently, the main star,writer and director of this film Takeshi Kitano was originally a Japanese comedian.If that's true, then he did an excellent job in playing a serious role.The acting is excellent.I saw this film a while ago so I don't remember the storyline very well but I remember it has a deep story,great performances and a powerful ending.If you can find this film or watch it anywhere, I recommend you do so!