Sex. Murder. Cover-ups. Three staples of a great murder mystery, and that's what "Rising Sun" offers. Of course, it spins them together in a story that's different than every other story of this ilk, and that's what makes this one so much fun to watch. It's not perfect, but it's a solid entry.
A young woman has been murdered at the opening gala of a Japanese corporation's new building. Homicide detective Webb Smith (Wesley Snipes) is called in to investigate. Also on hand as his partner is retired captain John Connor (Sean Connery), a man who is known for his intimate knowledge of Japanese culture. As they work to solve the case, they realize that not everything is what it seems.
I love a good mystery just as much as the next guy. Seeing the pieces fall into place, watching the heroes get closer to the killer, it's all great. For the most part, "Rising Sun" is ably told, although some of the minute details (that aren't so minute) are slightly confusing.
Apparently, Michael Crichton imagined Connery playing John Conner as he was writing the book, and that's readily apparent. Connery, an actor of great screen presence, dominates the role (and the film). Wesley Snipes is not as good, but not bad. Caro Hiroyuki-Tagawa is adequate as the main suspect who knows more than what he's saying. Tia Careere is great in a small but important role as the tech support girl, Jingo Asakuma.
The film's look is great, and it's competently directed. However, the pseudo-flashback approach doesn't really work, and the depictions of Japanese culture are heavy-handed, to the point where it almost becomes insulting.
Still, this is a good and engaging mystery.
A young woman has been murdered at the opening gala of a Japanese corporation's new building. Homicide detective Webb Smith (Wesley Snipes) is called in to investigate. Also on hand as his partner is retired captain John Connor (Sean Connery), a man who is known for his intimate knowledge of Japanese culture. As they work to solve the case, they realize that not everything is what it seems.
I love a good mystery just as much as the next guy. Seeing the pieces fall into place, watching the heroes get closer to the killer, it's all great. For the most part, "Rising Sun" is ably told, although some of the minute details (that aren't so minute) are slightly confusing.
Apparently, Michael Crichton imagined Connery playing John Conner as he was writing the book, and that's readily apparent. Connery, an actor of great screen presence, dominates the role (and the film). Wesley Snipes is not as good, but not bad. Caro Hiroyuki-Tagawa is adequate as the main suspect who knows more than what he's saying. Tia Careere is great in a small but important role as the tech support girl, Jingo Asakuma.
The film's look is great, and it's competently directed. However, the pseudo-flashback approach doesn't really work, and the depictions of Japanese culture are heavy-handed, to the point where it almost becomes insulting.
Still, this is a good and engaging mystery.