MovieChat Forums > Black Rain (1989) Discussion > A 6.3? What?

A 6.3? What?

posted 18 years ago by incaustic
49 replies | jump to latest

I just saw this film for the first time recently.

I have to say that the rating for this movie is shockingly low. I would have expected this to be at least in the 7s. The story is at times predictable, but then most movies are. This holds your attention the whole way through. Scott's direction is top notch, the cinematography is spectacular, and the whole atmosphere of Japan in the movie is extremely well done. The acting jobs were also very solid all around.

Black Rain isn't as innovative as some of Scott's other films but it is perfectly executed for what it is. It should be approaching the top 250, not languishing with a 6.3.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] i_donov 13 years ago

I would say the composition of imdb users were babies when this movie came out hence the low rating.

I for one am 28 and first saw (and fell in love with) this movie when I was starting high school around '98. This is breathtaking cinema with amazing performances by all the cast members.

And the music??? My God don't even get me started that the music video alone for I'll Be Holding On is better then the top rated garbage movies of today in their entirety.

[–] franzkabuki 13 years ago

Definitely overrated - no more than another cliched, corny 80´s shoot-´em-up flick with very little to set it apart from hundreds of other formulaic rogue cop movies of its ilk; most of the acting (that does most certainly NOT include Andy Garcia´s groan inducing, OTT jovial buffoonery) and occasional nice visual touches aside, it´s no better really than pretty much any given Miami Vice episode. Little more than an opportunity for Douglas to once more strut his stuff, Scott´s direction is again - as it´s always been eversince Blade Runner - showy yet lifeless and all the razzle-dazzle on display ultimately fails to hide how empty and by-the-numbers the whole affair is. And the conclusion of the film is nothing short of embarrassing, with all the predictable cookie cutter pay-offs falling in line one by one. It isn´t quite unwatchable, but worth no more than 5/10.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] cold187um_cpt 13 years ago

my favorite ridley scott movie....use to watch it a lot when I was a kid and still watch it now and still love it!!!

[–] sixpackrt 12 years ago

Someone mentioned that they thought 6.9 was low for 48 Hours. 6.9 is a pretty solid rating. I LOVE Black Rain but I don't think it deserves an 8.5 like many have said in this post. It is a very good film but it doesn't approach greatness quite like it could have. However, it is one of the best pieces of commercial American action/crime filmmaking of the 1980's. It's not without it's flaws but is very good. The character of Mas definitely adds a lot to the picture. I voted BR a 7 which I think is fair. I would like to see Black Rain have a 6.8 or so but I don't think that 6.5 is a completely unfair rating. Sextamental or whatever his name was made a great post about modern Hollywood action pictures. Things really have gotten sad. I could not believe how mediocre Live Free Or Die Hard was. What a terrible burial for one of the best action series of the last twenty years. There is definitely a serious problem with inflated ratings now that IMDB has become so popular. Films are getting way too much praise nowadays.

"I've seen things in this city that make Dante's Inferno read like Winnie The Pooh."

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Iron_Eagle74 12 years ago

Well, here in 2013 it's moved up more, but not enough. For whatever reason this movie has gotten a bad rap. I have to admit, even I turned my nose up at this movie for a long time until I actually saw it., and maybe a lot of people who vote it down haven't seen it either.

I think the reason why I was always skeptical about this movie was because way back in 1989 I didn't think much of Michael Douglas in this kind of role. Boy was I wrong. He was awesome in this movie, and I really wish he'd done more cop thrilers. He was at his best doing this, and Scott really shot a beautiful and atmospheric movie.

[–] PangolinOne 12 years ago

It's a 6.5 now, I feel that is probably about right, while visually and atmospherically strong the film does lack depth in story and characterisation.

Joyce's character seemed unexplored and came across as a crude plot device to drive the story. Charlie was probably the best and most consistent character in the film (although his jocularity did grind sometimes).

The film is redeemed by the last 20 minutes (although Masahiro's change of heart seemed out of character) and you know from the opening scene that the film will climax with a motorcycle chase.

A watchable film but I could never see it being rated higher than a 7 and that would be generous.

[–] sextamental 12 years ago

A watchable film but I could never see it being rated higher than a 7 and that would be generous.

Not that I see anything particularly wrong with what you said, but I'd still have to disagree. I disagree on the basis that some real low-brow shyte not even half as good as Black Rain, are rated much higher here on IMDB. On the basis therefore that other less deserving movies are vastly overrated here just because they happen to be newer and popular with younger crowds, then I see no reason whatsoever that Black Rain shouldn't be overrated too. And why the *beep* not ?!?......Loads of vapid CGI laden trifle for juveniles like the Fast&Furious series, Transformers movies, Roland Emmerich & Michael bay crap-fests, and a plethora of Superhero movies ( which are ALL practically the same movie, just with name and costume changes ),are up in the high 6's and 7's .........and they're honestly not worthy of anything more than the upper 5's at best.

So *beep* it I say.... As far as it relates to the skewered ratings here on "IMDB", BR is incredibly underrated. I personally give it a 9/10

SPIRAL OUT!........KEEP GOING!

[–] coffeemann 11 years ago

I agree with this comment, movies on IMDB are ranked higher and in my opinion are just stupid childish movies for these kids from this warped generation.

I am sure a movie like Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle is ranked in the 7-8's because to these kids, that film is a far superior movie to this!

hahahahahahhaha

[–] booster654 12 years ago

When this came out at first it wasn't that well recieved at all. I haven't seen it yet myself but will watch it tonight to cure my own curiosity.

[–] thor_thomsen 11 years ago

I rated it 9. It holds up very well - good story and very good cinematopraphy.