Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Graphic
- exaggerated
- irreverent
- violent
- late night action marathon
- cult movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film shallow, conventional, and spiritless, though later genre reviewers valued its fast pace, action craft, lead chemistry, and cult entertainment appeal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The director described the intended style as exaggerated reality and a pop-art, comic-book presentation, reflected in the film's stylized action.
Kenner and Murata pursue Yoshida's yakuza drug ring through Los Angeles's Japanese district.
American detective Chris Kenner must work with Japanese-American detective Johnny Murata despite their initial differences.
The film became a cult classic among action fans and is repeatedly characterized by critics as a fun, fast-paced B action film.
Films like Showdown in Little Tokyo, and why
Lethal Weapon
shared buddy cop structure, brash humor, crime action, and exaggerated 1980s-style entertainment
Rapid Fire
shared martial arts spectacle, organized crime, charismatic villains, and heightened action-comedy tone
The Last Boy Scout
shared buddy cop chemistry, urban crime conflict, fast pacing, and irreverent action humor
Black Rain
shared yakuza criminal milieu, stylized violence, and martial arts-driven revenge themes
Movie Details
- Director
- Mark L. Lester
- Release Date
- 1991-08-23
- Runtime
- 79 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (567)
Cast
- Dolph Lundgren
- Brandon Lee
- Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
- Tia Carrere
- Toshishiro Obata
- Philip Tan
- Rodney Kageyama
- Ernie Lively
- Renee Griffin
- Reid Asato
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Showdown in Little Tokyo about?
- Two mismatched Los Angeles detectives battle a ruthless yakuza kingpin in a compact, hyperactive martial-arts buddy-cop blast.
- What is Showdown in Little Tokyo like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Showdown in Little Tokyo as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Showdown in Little Tokyo violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Showdown in Little Tokyo as graphic.
- What did critics think of Showdown in Little Tokyo?
- Critics generally found the film shallow, conventional, and spiritless, though later genre reviewers valued its fast pace, action craft, lead chemistry, and cult entertainment appeal.
- Which films are like Showdown in Little Tokyo?
- Films with a similar feel include Lethal Weapon, Rapid Fire, The Last Boy Scout, and Black Rain.
- How long is Showdown in Little Tokyo?
- Showdown in Little Tokyo runs 79 minutes.
- Where can I watch Showdown in Little Tokyo?
- In United States, Showdown in Little Tokyo is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
