Violent Cop (Sono otoko, kyôbô ni tsuki) (1989)

77% of users liked it
(5,678 ratings)

Television comedian, author of a number of books, and star in such films as Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawerence, Takeshi Kitano stepped behind the megaphone for this two-fisted crime thriller after yakuza flick auteur Kinji Fukasaka walked off the project. Police detective Azuma (Kitano) is loose cannon… More Television comedian, author of a number of books, and star in such films as Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawerence, Takeshi Kitano stepped behind the megaphone for this two-fisted crime thriller after yakuza flick auteur Kinji Fukasaka walked off the project. Police detective Azuma (Kitano) is loose cannon Dirty Harry-like cop who is constantly in hot water with his superiors. At the film's outset, Asuma encounters a group of high school kids beating up an old man. Later that night, he pays a visit to the ringleader's middle-class home and lands a fist square in the kid's face. When he discovers a man in bed with his mentally feeble sister, Akari (Maiko Kawakami), he thrashes the guy. Azuma's crime-world double is a yakuza assassin (Ryu Haku) who's running drugs. Later, Azuma learns that not only is his best friend and partner, Iwaki (Sei Hiraizumi), selling drugs to this gangland thug, but his sister has been kidnapped and coked up by the same creep. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Takeshi Kitano
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Aug 12, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Dec 7, 1999
Studio: Winstar

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The audience gets a chance to watch Kitano smash punks around who would probably never receive their proper punishment.

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Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

A tough cop uncovers a drug ring with ties to a corrupt friend in the department leading to a bloody showdown with the gang's hired killer. "Beat" Tikeshi Kitano's directorial debut is an uncompromising crime thriller featuring a protagonist that makes Dirty Harry… More
A tough cop uncovers a drug ring with ties to a corrupt friend in the department leading to a bloody showdown with the gang's hired killer. "Beat" Tikeshi Kitano's directorial debut is an uncompromising crime thriller featuring a protagonist that makes Dirty Harry look like Dudley Doright which doesn't sound particularly original, but what marks Violent Cop out from the herd is its treatment of the character. Usually, "loose cannon" cops come in two categories; the misunderstood hero who is just trying to get the job done, or the corrupt bad guy looking for redemption. Azuma is neither; he's just an arrogant bastard who does whatever he pleases with zero regard for authority, the rights of his suspects or the consequences of his actions. This makes the film oddly refreshing as the story may be rather familiar in its ideas, its bleak and nihilistic attitude (particularly during the brilliantly uncompromising finale) is strangely unique. Takeshi hasn't quite perfected his art yet, the main flaws being that the deliberate pacing flags from time to time and the soundtrack which is so bizarrely inappropriate at times it's almost surreal. On the whole it's the confident first step of a brilliant career of one the the greatest auteurs in modern Japanese cinema and well worth seeing for fans of the genre.
Anthony L

Takeshi Kitano saved this film at the last minute after the original director did a runner. Not one of his best films by any stretch, the beginning of a brilliant film career!
El Hombre I

Violent Cop. So, this was originally supposed to be filmed by Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale, Graveyard of Honor, Yakuza Papers) who dropped out, thankfully. Takeshi Kitano, who was only starring in the film, took over and japanese films haven't been the same for me since.… More
Violent Cop. So, this was originally supposed to be filmed by Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale, Graveyard of Honor, Yakuza Papers) who dropped out, thankfully. Takeshi Kitano, who was only starring in the film, took over and japanese films haven't been the same for me since. Unlike other yakuza films, Kitano's violence is quick and cold-blooded. Different from American vigilante cops such as Dirty Harry, who care so much for their victims, Kitano's character Azuma doesn't seem to care about anything but personal revenge. If you're a fan of Beat Takeshi (and you should be) don't pass up this directorial debut.
Tsubaki S

Kitano beats the crap out of a kid almost right from the start of the film. That's all you need to know. Hard to believe this was Kitano's directorial debut. He already shows a great level of control of the medium.
Adam M

a crime-action movie that has similar themes as Raging Bull; Kitano's brutal jerk of a cop is all animal--he even looks like a dead-eyed bull--his spirit having died out long ago.
Wu C

Kitano's first film as director and he doesn't dissapoint. Cool music scores and random spurts of violence seem to be a staple in Kitano's movies. A great first time effort and ahead of it's time.
Christopher B

Gritty, debut from Kitano. I remember when I rented this it was described as Japan's Bad Lieutenant, which I tend to agree with, substituting Catholism with honour. It's more entertaining than Bad Lieutenant (not a difficult feat, operation footage is more entertaining as… More
Gritty, debut from Kitano. I remember when I rented this it was described as Japan's Bad Lieutenant, which I tend to agree with, substituting Catholism with honour. It's more entertaining than Bad Lieutenant (not a difficult feat, operation footage is more entertaining as well) with a more likable character with Kitano, but still packs quite a whollop. Stylish as hell too and very highly recommended.