Red Sun Rising

There is no doubt that Don Wilson is a phenomenal marital artist. But he really didn't get to show it off in this film. If fact, most of the story was so lame that the films only saving grace was Terry Farrell. Not a great part for her, but she did the best she could with what she was given and her performance was, well...fun. But even she couldn't save this film from becoming a B movie compared to other, better action/martial arts movies.

Despite Don Wilson (nicknamed The Dragon) has made lots of movies this is the first movie with him as the lead that I saw. I have nothing against him, simply I don't follow him and apart me nobody knows him in Italy. Yet to his credit this movie entertained me very much and now that I finally took that off my chest, I can discuss it in the review.

Thomas Hoshino (Wilson) is a Japanese detective working in the US that has to avenge the death of his partner caused by a ninja with powerful connections to the Yakuza. After some opposition by Captain Meisler (Michael Ironside) Thomas will go on his own and after lots of brawls, chases and shootouts he'll make the Yakuza-connected gang blow.

While the plot isn't especially deep the acting was good and there were some nice fight scenes that looked a lot like those of the great Jean Claude Van Damme movies... and you certainly don't watch these movies expecting that they won the Academy Awards for Best Picture right? Lots of fun for both fans of the genre and of 1990s movies in general.

Having sat down in 2021 to watch the 1994 action movie "Red Sun Rising", I can honestly say that this movie from writers Robert Easter, Neva Friedenn and Paul Maslak was a very generic and archetypical mid-1990s martial arts action movie.

So why I hadn't I ever heard about "Red Sun Rising" before now 27 years after it was released? Well, I suppose because it was an martial arts action movie that didn't have any of the really noticeable of 1990s action movie stars in it. Sure, it had Don "The Dragon" Wilson in the lead, but he was a niche star, not widely known or recognized amidst the likes of Steven Seagal, Jean Claude Van Damme, etc.

The storyline in "Red Sun Rising" was actually not too shabby, but it was just a bit too generic. I mean, you could have left the movie for a prolonged period and returned later on, only to be able to pick up and get right back into the movie. Nothing outstanding to this movie from director Francis Megahy.

Aside from having Don "The Dragon" Wilson on the cast list, the movie also had familiar 1990s faces of Michael Ironside, Mako and Soon-Tek Oh on the cast list.

The action sequences in "Red Sun Rising" were actually adequate. Sure, this was not groundbreaking choreography or anything, but it provided adequate enough entertainment for a single viewing.

My rating of "Red Sun Rising" lands on a mediocre five out of ten stars. This was hardly among the best of action movies from the mid-1990s.

Don "The Dragon" Wilson was able to escape the clutches of schlockmeister Roger Corman for a little while and make this movie, which is one of his best. I know that might not seem much of a declaration, considering the poor quality of many Wilson movies, but this one managed to be genuinely entertaining. While a low-budget movie, the production values manage to be slick enough so that no scene looks especially cheap. The martial art scenes, while not up to those from Hong Kong movies, can be considered more realistic, and do manage to be exciting at times. There's even a decent attempt to do some character development! Speaking of the characters and actors, there is some good support from supporting players Ironside and (especially) Mako. The movie could have been given a little trimming (it goes on too long), but overall this is a solid little B movie.

The addition of post-production effects to the opening scene, and the antagonists' characteristic power move generally, are an unfortunate and unnecessary choice. So is, I should say, the considerable racism in the dialogue. These are especially unfortunate as they distract from the first facets to catch our attention - which is to say, chiefly, the extraordinary cast and otherwise list of credits. Don "The Dragon" Wilson (also serving as "executive in charge of fight action"), Terry Farrell, Mako, Toshishiro Obata, James Lew, Yuji Okumoto, Michael Ironside, and Soon Tek-Oh, among others, are not names to sneeze at. Then, too, while the otherwise capable direction, cinematography, and editing somewhat chop up action sequences as is sadly all too common (taking away from the earnest impact and blows we should be seeing), the choreography thereof really is pretty fantastic, and frankly I should expect no less given all the folks involved.

Furthermore, yes, the racism rife in the dialogue is rather ugly, and there are also some tropes and cliches on hand. Watch for the moment both chief characters reveal their back stories just after the 30-minute mark, for example, and note the way that "Eastern" mysticism and "ninja" techniques are rather exploited throughout. Yet Robert Easter also gratifyingly fills his screenplay with no small amount of cheeky humor and intelligence. Some of those racist flourishes play directly into the playfully tongue-in-cheek characterizations and sharp repartee, for that matter; among others, Farrell and Mako are both unmistakably having a blast, as they somewhat play against type. Easter may be dabbling with some tawdry words and ideas, but only with deliberate, underhanded wit. As if to emphasize the point, elsewhere the screenplay unremittingly employs tried and and true story ideas, one-liners, and character archetypes, and 'Red sun rising' is in no small part simply a vehicle for its fight scenes and the writers' own conception of classic notions. But even its most tiresome or regrettable aspects, telling a familiar story about gang wars, buddy cops, powerful crime lords, corruption, revenge, and destiny, is entirely purposeful. There is much of this feature we've seen before, but it's never sloppy or accidental. In fact, when you get right down to it, it's a whole lot of fun!

Recognizable in some ways, marginally dubious in others, this is nonetheless well made in all regards, and purely in a spirit of entertainment even as a sometimes dark, violent tale is told. These are some of the most prominent roles in which I've seen some cast members, if not some of the best acting I've personally seen from them, and like I said, others - most, really - are clearly enjoying themselves. The writing is perfectly solid as far as I'm concerned, forming a splendid whole despite any nitpicking. The fights, stunts, and practical effects are terrific, and those behind the scenes otherwise put in outstanding work - costume design, hair and makeup, sets, filming locations, and more. I disagree with some of the choices made, but Francis Megahy's direction is strong as he orchestrates shots and scenes and guides his cast; John Newby's cinematography is quite fine. Even those facets of the feature that are lowest of all, that I'd be inclined to chastise in another title, I find myself willing to forgive for the fact of how joyfully everyone in the production pursued their work. 'Red sun rising' is at once both a ridiculous romp, sometimes struggling to make every story beat completely work, and an honest action-crime thriller, as serious about its storytelling as any of its brethren. It's a tough path to tread, but I think this does so surprisingly well.

It's safe to say I had mixed expectations when I sat to watch; of anything I've seen Wilson in to date, his oeuvre isn't exactly screaming for accolades. And while I do actually very much like this, those expectations were certainly borne out in part, as the movie represents a weird mixed bag of the good and the bad, the fun and the tiresome. But at length, Megahy, Easter, and all others on hand only wanted to entertain, and I think they've definitely succeeded in that aim. The sincerity in the craftsmanship, and the lighthearted zest in the intent, outweigh whatever criticisms there are to be made, so it's easy as a viewer to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, come what may. I can understand why the end result won't appeal to all, yet for those who are open to whatever peculiar flavors the wide world of cinema may have to offer, I think this is a delightful, somewhat offbeat action flick that's well worth 100 minutes. You don't need to go out of your way for 'Red sun rising,' perhaps, but if you're open to what it provides and have the chance to watch, I found it highly enjoyable, and it earns my enthusiastic recommendation!