Kôshônin: Mashita Masayoshi

A mad bomber is threatening the Tokyo subway system using a high tech train presumably carrying an explosive device. Negotiator of the title is called upon to solve the situation before disaster strikes.

This is a spin-off from the TV-series "Bayside Shakedown" which in turn spawned two big budget movies (hugh successes in its native Japan). I haven't seen the TV-series in question, but "Kôshônin Mashita Masayoshi" is a far better movie than the two films that followed the series. "Bayside Shakedown" 1 and 2 are very preachy and melodramatic (especially part 2) and with very little entertainment value. The main focus seems to be on the hierarchy within the Japanese police force in those movies, and the action and the storytelling becomes somewhat secondary. It is very different here; Kôshônin Mashita Masayoshi is a tight and exciting action film without the unnecessary and exaggerated social commentary. Only the ending seems a bit incomplete. Overall, an entertaining and fast-paced film.