Tadashi Yamashita Movies
When Michael Crichton wrote his best-selling thriller Rising Sun, he wrote the character of hero John Connor with Sean Connery in mind. For Philip Kaufman's film version of the novel, Sean Connery, needless to say, fits seamlessly into the role of a legendary police detective who is an expert in Japanese culture. The story takes place in the towering office building of the Japanese Nakamoto Corporation in Los Angeles, who are negotiating a deal with Microcon, an American electronics firm. During a gala held one night in the Nakamoto offices, the body of a woman, Cheryl Lynn Austin (Tatjana Patitz) is found murdered in the main conference room. Arriving quickly on the scene is high-amped police lieutenant Tom Graham (Harvey Keitel), who oozes hatred for anything Japanese from every pore. When he has trouble getting cooperation from the Nakatomo executives, Graham calls in Web Smith (Wesley Snipes), a Special Services liaison, and John Connor (Connery), a man well-versed in Japanese culture and traditions. Together they form a team as they investigate the crime. Connor questions computer video expert Jingo (Tia Carrere), who works on a security system computer disc that captures the killer's identity. The only problem is that the image of the killer on the disc has been altered to conceal the murderer's face. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sean Connery, Wesley Snipes, (more)
In this youthful martial arts adventure, a young ninja teams up with his master to save a scientist's daughters from kidnappers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
The plot of David Hue's action film Capital Punishment begins when the DEA hires a martial-arts fighter to stage the death of a person who is set to testify against a powerful drug lord. The drug lord taught the fighter how to fight, making it difficult for the fighter to go through with his plan. However he will soon have to face off against the drug lord in order to survive. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1989
A gang of rich, sadistic killers captures people and then sets them loose so they can be hunted down and killed. Joseph Campanella stars as a man who infiltrates the gang to avenge the murders of his family. This film is a variation of The Most Dangerous Game, which has been filmed as Hard Target, The Hounds of Zaroff and numerous other titles. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
In American Ninja, Michael Dudikoff plays American "GI Joe" who, based in the Philippines, gets hip to a crooked arms racket involving none other than the military itself. There's no end to the rib-cracking opportunities Dudikoff encounters as he knee-knocks his way through a host of bad guys as he rescues a lady in distress and ventures to thwart the thieving arms vendors. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Dudikoff, Steve James, (more)
In a standard no-plotter, this is a martial arts showcase for gymnast Kurt Thomas as Jonathan Cabot, the front line man sent out to secure a military foothold in an unfriendly, unnamed country in Eastern Europe near the Caspian sea. Jonathan has to use his lethal weapons (hands and feet) and his ingenuity to chop down legions of adversaries, especially in a one-against-all scene in a rustic village. With scenic Yugoslav landscapes and the attractive Miss Philippines (Tetchie Agbayani) as Princess Rubali, the film offers some visual appeal as well as whirling martial arts choreography. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kurt Thomas, Tetchie Agbayani, (more)
- 1984
When a rival clan threatens the safety of his native country, the last Koga ninja must travel from America to Japan to save his ancestral home. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1983
- R
An undistinguished martial arts kickeroo with a glowing sword thrown in for mystic appeal, this actioner stars Tadashi Yamashita as Tadashi, a Japanese cop who is caught up in a misguided war against crime. His nemesis is Dirk (Mel Novak), equally trained in the martial arts and commander of a paramilitary unit in an illegal war against top criminals. Tadashi is partially sidetracked when he helps a hooker retrieve the glowing sword that Dirk has nabbed for his own. A bit of karate in drag follows as the undercover Tadashi kicks up his heels, and that may be the best scene in this film. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tadashi Yamashita
Karate champ Chuck Norris returns for another chop-socky vigilante flick in The Octagon, one of a handful of undistinguished Ninja pictures released during the early '80s. Norris appropriately plays a retired karate champ hired as a bodyguard for a wealthy woman (Karen Carlson) plagued by a gang of vicious ninjas. Reluctant at first to take the job, he reconsiders when he learns the gang is headed by his longtime arch rival Tadashi Yamashita (Lee Van Cleef). The script -- as is the case in nearly every Ninja film -- has holes bigger than Okinawa, and the acting is downright atrocious, particularly that of Norris, who, thankfully, improved with time. However, the production values are fair, as is the direction, and the action sequences are often exciting and comparatively realistic. Recommended for genre fans only. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck Norris, Karen Carlson, (more)
- 1979
- R
Cycle-flick veteran William Smith stars as the head of a highly trained US intelligence team, each with the requisite invaluable "special talent." Headquartered in Hawaii, the team aims its sights on a powerful crime syndicate. Since the syndicate's henchmen are all martial arts experts, a combination of brawn and brains will be required throughout. The title alludes to the seven mobsters who must be wiped out by Smith & company in order to collect their $7 million reward. One gag in Seven was later appropriated (unconsciously or otherwise) by Raiders of the Lost Ark. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Smith, Barbara Leigh, (more)
