Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects

You can't help loving this B film, that delves into fetishes, child perversion, abduction, and forbidden vices. I must say the scene with Bronson confessing to his priest/psychologist, played by the wonderful Bill Mckinney, I couldn't stop from grinning a tad. I know why. It's stereotypical Bronsoniitis, via J Lee Thompson, as we've seen many of Charlie's other Golan Globus flicks. It too had me wondering, does Charlie really enjoy this, or how is he on this, with how his career's plummeted. Another scene, that brought stereotypical vibes back, had him going off, publicly at Asians, making a stand, claiming, "They think they own the joint, goddamn cars, whatever". To race haters out there who see this, later on in the movie they could have a change of heart as does Charlie. Lately Charlie, has had a hard on for busting this sleazy pimp, Duke, (Fernandez) who runs a stable of young girls for perverted clientele. His latest beauty is an Asian schoolgirl who can't be more than thirteen, who he discreetly abducted from a private school, and groomed quick, courtesy of hishelp. Kinjite has some cheeky, saucy scenes, others, repulsive ones, like when the girl goes with an old guy in a limo, or later when she's taken to an apartment to fuel the hunger for a lonely female paedophile. We're off to a great start with Charlie and the boys, raiding a hotel room, busting up a trick, who has a big briefcase of kinky stuff, about to go to work on sexy Eggert's rear end. As having been with Duke, she even warns him later on that's his apartment is about to be raided. Now the forced Rolex swallowing watch scene, I must say, left me with a bit of a sore throat, this was a great stand out, "Are you kidding me" scene. Obviously Charlie wasn't. Although the end of Kinjite isn't all roses, as to some of the characters fates, what we have here is some really sleazy addictive B grade product. The sexy mistress in blue, with the Asian businessman, the father of the Asian daughter who's taken, I must say had nice hooters. This Asian guy presented a little shock revelation and unease to how he carried himself. But of course it's Charlie who carries the movie, where I wouldn't say this is the best departure out of Golan Globus ville, but it is addictively entertaining and I said before, stereotypically Charlie.

Another in my personal film series revisiting the disreputable 80s subgenera of lurid crime films, all in preparation for the release of Ti West's third film in his X trilogy, MAXXXINE. Even by 80s standards, KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS is a creepy unsettling story about Charles Bronson breaking up an underage human trafficking ring in the Japanese American community. Forget about SOUND OF FREEDOM, Bronson told this story already back in the 80s! However, this is the Cannon Films exploitation version of human trafficking and was directed by frequent Bronson collaborator, J. Lee Thompson, who made some legit classic films, such as THE GUNS OF NAVARONE and the original version of CAPE FEAR, but spent the later part of his career doing some pretty brutal movies, including 10 TO MIDNIGHT and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME (which has one the all-time best slasher film kills), but this film is particularly unpleasant and relishes in the seediness a bit too much for my liking. When Bronson takes down the baddies, it's very satisfying, but Thompson relishes in the unseemliness leading up to a bit too much, in what would be Thompson's final film. This was also Bronson's final film in his long streak of films for Cannon. Additionally, there was a movie trend around this time about the increasing power and influence of Japan on the United States, including classier films such as RISING SUN and BLACK RAIN (sure I'll throw in GUNG HO too), which sought to help their lead characters better understand Japanese culture and traditions. There were also more exploitative films exploring this same subject matter such as SHOWDOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO and this film, which are more just openly racist. Still, despite the racism and the unpleasant subject matter, Bronson bringing scumbags to justice works pretty well for this film. Hardly a Bronson career highpoint, but better than most of his later career films. Also appearing in the film are Perry Lopez (CHINATOWN), Peggy Lipton (TWIN PEAKS), Sy Richardson (REPO MAN), Bill McKinney (DELIVERANCE), Nicole Eggert (BAYWATCH), and look fast for Danny "Machete" Trejo playing a prisoner near the end of the movie.

Ninth and final collaboration between J. Lee Thompson with Charles Bronson, it was also Jack Lee final film before retirement and the last one Bronson made for the two cousins of Cannon Group, Menahem Golan & Yoram Globus, "Kinjite - Forbidden Subjects" was a return to the action / crime / thriller genre, a territory covered by the duo in several films before, from "10 to Midnight" ('83) to "Murphy's Law" ('86), after the more mystery / 'whodunit' oriented, "Messenger of Death", made the previous year.

Bronson plays his usual cop on the edge to be acting above the law (he was in full Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" mode here), this time chasing a pimp who is forcing minors into prostitution, played by the forever baddie Juan Fernandez ("Salvador", "Crocodile Dundee 2") in an one more sleazy performance, who kidnapped the 12 years old daughter of a yuppie japanese businessman (James Pax from "Big Trouble in Little China") new in town. After his own daughter was molested (ironically by the same oriental) during a bus ride, Bronson's feel of bigotry towards the japanese who are taking L.A. grow bigger, but his sense of integrity and the fact he's father of a teenage girl himself, makes him on the loose through the city's underground to find the missing child.

The movie deals with several relevant issues, such as cultural differences, hidden sexual desires and the execrable child prostitution ring, but ultimately (and unfortunately), it doesn't balance them well, cutting the plot to pieces to acommodate a Charles Bronson's action vehicle, and it was a shame, because the material was there for a great 'serious' crime / drama film such as Paul Schrader's "Hardcore" ('79) or William Friedkin's "Cruising" ('80).

The budget seems even shorter than "Messenger of Death" due to Cannon's financial bankrupt around '89, and some of the shots look cheap enough to be the "made for TV" film of the week and not even the cinematography is that good in this one, but Jack Lee & Bronson compensate it with more fights, more gunshots and more action, including an over-the-top big finale that all the Bronson's fans will be pleased.

The shocking subject of the movie, and its infamous, not showed but suggested, scenes it may be too exploitative for some mainstream public back then and even now, that's why Jack Lee, probably with conservative Bronson's aval, shot them in a more "light" tone, instead of going too nasty or visually sordid.

Besides Bronson, Fernandez and Pax, the supporting cast features several well known faces such as the beautiful & future "Baywatch" mermaid, Nicole Eggert, in her debut film; Perry Lopez ("Kelly's Heroes", "Chinatown" & "Death Wish 4") playing Bronson's partner; Sy Richardson ("Straight to Hell") as the pimp's henchman; Amy Hathaway & Peggy Lipton, playing respectively, the daughter & wife of Bronson's character and even cameos from Alex Hyde-White ("Biggles - Adventures in Time", "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", "Pretty Woman") & Danny Trejo ("Runaway Train", "Heat", "Desperado", "Machete").

In short, "Kinjite - Forbidden Subjects" isn't the best of the Jack Lee Thompson / Charles Bronson pairing, neither is the worst, but works as the last hurrah from both veterans together, from the Cannon Group before bankrupcy, and the 80's Era of the OTT / cheesy / full of witty on-liners, action films.

I give it a 6 !!

When great director/actor combinations are talked about the team of J. Lee Thompson and Charles Bronson is not usually mentioned. Probably because the output of nine joint ventures between the two of them runs the gamut from the really good action entertainment to the mediocre. Unfortunately Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects falls in the latter.

That's sad because Kinjite could have been a whole lot better. But for the life of me I don't understand why it was necessary to make the father of the missing Japanese girl, a guy used to getting some cheap jollies because the romance in his marriage has run out. That might have been good for another film altogether, but it served no purpose here.

A straightforward cop drama with Charles Bronson as a vice cop who's seen a bit too much in his line of work and has a strong prejudice against orientals. That part could also have used a little explaining as well. But he's going to have to overcome it if he and patient partner Perry Lopez are going to locate a captured Japanese school girl.

Bronson's time in the vice squad have told him exactly where to look for the kidnapper. A stylish, murderous pimp played by Jaime Fernandez is the guy and he and Bronson have some history. In fact in the film's best scene, Bronson made him eat an expensive rolex watch and set his car on fire.

At one point Fernandez happens to spot Bronson and Lopez in an all night delicatessen and this being after his rolex snack, he sprays the place with an Uzi killing everyone, but Bronson and Lopez. I really think that little incident would have had more than a couple vice cops from the LAPD after Fernandez. But that's another terribly big hole in the plot.

Still there is a very rough justice in the end for Fernandez. I wish the whole film had been better though. This was the last film of the Bronson-Thompson team and J. Lee Thompson's last as a director. He should have gone out with something better.

Lt. Crowe is a no nonsense aged cop who almost goes over the edge after his daughter is molested by an unidentified Asian male. As he battles to curb his anger and racial prejudices, Crowe knows he must focus on the job at hand, the safe return of a kidnapped child, and the arrest of a child prostitute pimp...........vengeance and duty are about to become an uneasy alliance.

Showing his aged years and looking frazzled around the edges, this is actually one of Charles Bronson's best performances. Casting Bronson as Crowe now looks like an inspired decision, Crowe is a man getting old as the world around him changes its ideals and principals, with Bronson stepping into character and grasping the irony of his career overview. Not that there is anything remotely sad about the work here, it's a Bronson film with Bronson kicking arse, his character's conflicting beliefs allowing Bronson put some emotional blood into Crowe's sinewy veins.

Personally, what i find most engaging with Kinjite is its duality centre, we root for Crowe as he thunders on in pursuit of the vile bastards who exploit children for their own and monetary ends, yet the confusion reigns as Crowe's racist slant towards Asians reaches fever pitch. It's safe to say that a lot of Bronson pictures are beef for beefs sake, but this really isn't an excuse for just throwing punches, or a Bronson working for food scenario. Don't get me wrong here, i would be a liar if i said this wasn't seeping with 80s sweat, it so is an 80s movie, but it's got balls the size of Bronson himself and perfectly captures the point of change for society and leading man alike.

Underseen, undervalued and most definitely worth a look, 6/10.