Violent Cop is a Japanese crime thriller film released in 1989. It was directed by Takeshi Kitano, who also stars as the main character, Azuma.
The film follows Azuma, a violent and unorthodox detective in Tokyo's police department. Azuma becomes increasingly frustrated with the corruption and inefficiency of his department, and this leads him to break several rules of ethical conduct.
Azuma's colleague, Iwaki, is suspected of being involved in drug trafficking and Yakuza activities. Azuma takes matters into his own hands, using brutal and extreme methods to try and bring Iwaki to justice. His tactics include physically assaulting suspects, planting evidence, and even killing people.
The movie explores themes of police corruption, loyalty, and morality. Azuma's actions are driven by his sense of duty as a police officer, but also by his personal vendetta against Iwaki. The film also portrays the complex relationships between police officers and their colleagues, superiors, and criminals.
Violent Cop was a critical and commercial success in Japan and helped establish Kitano as a filmmaker. The movie's bleak and violent tone has been compared to American crime films like Dirty Harry and The French Connection. It has also been noted for its use of deadpan humor and stylized violence.
