19 Ultimate Final Shoot-Outs Of Cinema History
18. Violent Cop (1989)
In the late 80s, Takeshi Kitano made his directing debut with this rough crime thriller with a distinct unorthodox style.
In Japan at the time, he was better known as a stand-up comedian and TV personality. So this beyond bleak story drove his regular fans off in droves - featuring Kitano as a cop on a destructive quest to humiliate and destroy a Yakuza hitman - but it did lead to a strong cult reputation internationally.
Kitano’s individual approach to action is no more apparent than in the fierce final shoot-out. When Asian cinema was caught up in the balletic approach of John Woo, Kitano’s take is remarkably subdued but effective nonetheless. His vengeful cop heads to his nemesis’ hideout to rescue his sister and suddenly an odd chain of violent events lead to an utter bloodbath.
The shoot-out has a high body count but each bullet fired is felt, every reaction is drawn out, each death is shocking. Its purpose isn’t to exhilarate but to devastate its viewer in a tense game of back and forth that feels more like a Greek tragedy than blockbuster.