American Yakuza

American Yakuza is a 1993 American action film written by Takashige Ichise with a screenplay by John Allen Nelson and Max Strom, and directed by Frank Cappello for First Look International. Starring Viggo Mortensen and Ryo Ishibashi, the film had its theatrical release in Japan in December 1993, followed by theatrical release in South Korea in 1994. The film had its video premiere in the United States in 1995 and its DVD premiere in Russia in 2002.

TV Guide wrote that director Frank Cappello did an adequate job of weaving a relatively intricate storyline together, while delivering numerous explosive, actionpacked sequences, offering that Viggo Mortensen excelled in his performance, and Ryo Ishibashi was impressive in his role. They concluded that overall, American Yakuza is a surprisingly powerful portrayal of the loyalties that exist in the underworld, where violence and betrayal are a way of life.Reviewer Anton Bitel wrote after considering Viggo Mortensens acting in this 1993 film, and how he is better remembered now as Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings films, this one will leave viewers wondering why Mortensens talents were not generally recognized a lot earlier. He also notes that one of the films ironies is that when the Mafia takes on the Yakuza in the film and boast of their American drive and knowhow, they forget the similarities in that a century earlier they were just as eager as the Yakuza to get a foothold in this country. Bitel feels that American Yakuza is in effect The Godfather the next Generation an immigrant saga of family, blood and assimilation that just happens to be set in the world of organized crime. He found flaws in that parts of the film have the look of a rock video and overall suffers from needing a larger budget. He concludes with praise for the acting, twisting plotline, and the carefully restrained violence. ........

Source: Wikipedia