Black Rain (1989) - Underrated Ridley Scott Noir?

Okay, so I finally got around to re-watching "Black Rain" after… well, a long time. I remember loving it as a kid, mostly because of the bikes and the gritty atmosphere, but watching it now, I have to say it holds up pretty well, even if it's dripping in 80s excess. Ridley Scott, of course, delivers on the visuals – that Osaka neon glow is just fantastic. You can almost smell the rain and exhaust fumes. Michael Douglas is solid as Nick Conklin, the kinda corrupt, definitely flawed NYC cop. Andy Garcia's there too and makes good use of the screen time. The real standout, though, is Ken Takakura as the Japanese detective, Masahiro Matsumoto. His stoic, almost tragic presence is a perfect foil to Douglas’s brash American. The way he carries himself, that quiet dignity... it's captivating. It's a shame how Hollywood often pigeonholes non-Western actors, because Takakura really elevates the film beyond just a standard action flick. What struck me this time was the clash of cultures, beyond the obvious Yakuza stuff. The film is unafraid to show the cultural misunderstandings and frustrations on both sides. The scene in the Pachinko parlor, with Conklin's utter bewilderment, is a good example. I think some might find it simplistic, but I found it pretty effective in highlighting the divide. The pace does slacken a bit in the middle, gets bogged down in some exposition, and the ending is kinda predictable. Overall, it's a stylish and well-shot thriller with compelling performances. It's definitely a product of its time, but it's got a certain cool factor that's hard to deny. I'd say it's worth a watch if you're in the mood for a solid crime drama with a unique setting. Anyone else have thoughts on this one? Maybe I'm just being nostalgic...