The ’90s Buddy Cop Action Franchise Was Stolen by Failure and Disaster
By Drew Dietsch | Published
The buddy cop sub-genre of action movies peaked in the 1980s but continued to be a comfortable and acceptable medium for moviegoers in the ’90s. However, people were ready to take on new things and an old friend cop needed to add some flavor to the mix. That’s how we found out Exhibition in Little Tokyoa 1991 Los Angeles shoot-em-up starring Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, Universal Solider) and rising star Brandon Lee, son of cinema icon Bruce Lee.
Unfortunately, due to studio re-cuts it was once again rejected by none other than Warner Bros. (they can throw away films), Exhibition in Little Tokyo saved a forgotten and unwanted little film that has thankfully grown a cult following over the years. After watching it for the first time, I can see how we were robbed of the friendly cop that could have come out of this little fodder of a movie.
Why Showdown at Little Tokyo Rocks
Exhibition in Little Tokyo it has Sergeant Chris Kenner (Lundgren), who grew up in Japan, finding a new partner, Detective Johnny Murata (Lee), an American with Japanese heritage. However, Murata doesn’t care if he knows much about Japanese culture. Meanwhile, Kenner lives his life in traditional Japanese fashion. This cartoon setup allows for more fun than you might expect, especially because Lee and Lundgren actually have a toxic but endearing chemistry.
Add to the mix Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Mortal Kombat, The Phantom) as a truly diabolical Yakuza resident with a connection to Kenner’s past as well Exhibition in Little Tokyo the kind of cliche cheese you either like or can’t eat. Yes, it has its “problematic” aspects but it is also a product of its time. Not to mention it’s absurd and embraces that cartoonish feel. It’s as silly a Saturday morning as you can get and shouldn’t be taken too seriously in regards to being the best representation of Asian-American cinema.
Instead, enjoy the himbo camaraderie that quickly blossoms between Lundgren and Lee. Enjoy the 79-minute running time – admittedly, ten minutes were allegedly cut by Warner Bros. according to director Mark L. Lester – who makes sure to maintain a high tone in a high entertainment setting. Go ahead and watch the first big scene and tell me this doesn’t look like a good popcorn moment:
If that doesn’t sound like the kind of movie that would put a smile on your face, I don’t know if we can be friends.
The Franchise We Never Got
Exhibition in Little Tokyo was thrown into theaters back in August 1991 and opened at #16. Wow. It went on to raise just over $2 million before going out of business. A few years later, Brandon Lee would tragically lose his life after an accident on the set of A crow. After his death, his films received more reviews. However, Exhibition in Little Tokyo showed the real promise of both Lee and Lundgren as the buddy cops. Their lunkhead charms came from the goofy warm-up scene from the movie.
Makes me wish we could have seen one more movie with these two. Lundgren’s character is given more focus when it comes to backstory and perspective. The sequel would give Lee a chance to delve into the history of Johnny Murata and how that would strengthen his relationship with Kenner. The idea of a film series with these two animated chuckleheads sounds like another universe I want to visit.
Sadly, we only have it Exhibition in Little Tokyo in this screen pairing. If you’ve never seen it, let its cheesy beauty melt over you in a short amount of time rather than taking in modern blockbuster movies to keep up. You could do a lot worse with 79 minutes of your time.
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