director: Katsuyuki
starring: Yusuke Santamaria · Terashima Susumu · Ko Kataro

If you've seen any of the previous "Negotiator Mashita Masayoshi" films, then you have an idea of what to expect here. But familiarity is not a prerequisite for this movie. Most Japanese critics (and audiences) agree that this one is the very best of the batch... and a terrific starting place in the series.

Masayoshi (played by deadpan comedian Yusuke Santamaria) is a police negotiator - the first of his kind - working with the Tokyo special division unit. His job is taken seriously by virtually no one; he's treated with the respect of an in-house psychic. For this story, on Xmas eve a subway train seems to have taken on a life of its own, no longer making stops and zooming down tunnels that put other trains in harm's way. Soon a cryptic message reaches the Masayoshi; he is invited to join "the Phantom" on a subway ride together....

A Japanese import; widescreen (2.35:1), uncut (109 min.) version in DVD encoded for ALL REGIONS, playable on any American DVD machine; in Japanese language with removable English subtitles as an option.

Violence/Adult Material/Tension:
Viewer discretion is advised.