Distant Justice

A strong cast (George Kennedy, David Carradine) led by Bunta Sugawara make little headway in this incredibly flat and disconnected dramatic action-thriller directed by Japanese film-maker Toru Murakawa.

A Japanese police inspector (Sugawara) is visiting the states with his wife and daughter. Stopping at Boston to visit an old friend, the Police Chief (Kennedy). While his wife and daughter are out and about, they unknowingly take a photograph of a drug exchange going in the park. And in doing so, the daughter is kidnapped and the wife murdered.

The story delves into the formulaic corruption angle, of going outside of the law to seek justice since it is already bought by criminal bosses and shifty political figures who would do anything to keep their dirty little secrets under wrap. So the investigation goes underground. So think along the lines of 'Death Wish' meets 'Taken'. But on a superficial level.

Some nice camera shots, and on-location work do pop out. Especially the foot chases. Although when it came to the action, despite at times being vicious. The choreography was rather laboured and all the commotion was mostly saved for the climax. The film's tempo was really cheapened by its poor music score. Undercutting the danger, and any real sense of tension it tries to build. If not for the nudity, and bloody shootouts it would come across like a hokey TV movie. At least we do get to see Sugawara get angry, and take out plenty of scummy bad guys along the way.

Toru Murakawa's "Distant Justice" is a mediocre action film.Like any self-respecting "Death Wish" clone,it certainly delivers plenty of violence,but there is absolutely no suspense to be found here.Visiting America for the first time with his wife and daughter,Inspector Rio Yuki(Bunta Sugawara)discovers how dangerous Boston can be.After Rio's wife inadvertently photographs a drug buy,she is gunned down and his daughter Sakura(Sakura Sugawara)is kidnapped.Despite assurances from his police buddy,soon-to-retire Chief Bradfield(George Kennedy)Rio decides to take the law into his own hands.The film isn't as bad as its rating suggests-it is just extremely routine and predictable.There is a nice amount of violence(even gang-rape attempt scene),so fans of gritty action movies won't be disappointed.My rating:6 out of 10.