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Hitoshi Ozawa as Torada, in Bad City. Courtesy of WellGoUSA

The subtitled Japanese crime flick, Bad City, delivers the goods on two essential counts – an atypically complex plot with a handful of switches and double-crosses, building to an adrenaline-satisfying series of hard-nosed fight sequences. This is the second feature from director Kensuke Sonomora, after nearly 20 years of steady stunt work, including many gigs as stunt coordinator or action director. Experience shows, as this film seems more cohesive and focused than his first crime drama, Hydra, while still dishing out the mayhem that motivates most potential viewers.

Disgraced police captain Torada (Hitoshi Ozawa) is granted parole by an idealistic prosecutor to go after the city’s most powerful tycoon/criminal, Gojo (Lily Franky), who’d just been undeservedly acquitted on racketeering charges. Gojo’s tentacles reach high into every branch of government and law enforcement, making regular attempts to nail him futile.

A scene from the Japanese TV action series Hydra. Courtesy of WellGoUSA

When I saw the title of this television series was Hydra, I thought we were in for another Marvel origin movie – this time about the evil organization the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spend their lives fighting. Not the case. This one’s a subtitled Japanese crime flick that’s long on action and short on everything else. The fight scenes will justify the time for any martial arts junkies who remember to set the rest of their expectations on low.

First-time director Kensuke Sonomura, who also appears in a substantial role, has 75 stunt gigs under his (presumably) black belt. That history allowed him to choreograph a couple of the most exciting, unique fight scenes in the genre. No wires or CGI pyrotechnics. Just a couple of foes squaring off in gritty matches of speed and agility with normal-people weapons.