Director(s) – Tim Everitt (The Evil Inside Me, Rats in the Wall) and Tom Sartori
Starring – Simon Rhee (Double Impact, Bad Blood), Arlene Montano (L.A. Streetfighters), and Phillip Rhee (The Kentucky Fried Movie, Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave)
Release Date – 1984
Rating – 2.5/5
Blu Release – 4/5
I’ve been lucky enough to review several martial arts movies over the years. Most of them were a lot of fun while others were clearly quick cash grabs. Over the years I’ve found that I enjoy the more outlandish and absurd kung fu flicks over the ones that are grounded and centered around crime.
Several weeks back Visual Vengeance announced the blu release of the 1984 martial arts sci-fi flick Furious. The artwork didn’t strike my interest but the synopsis sold me on the film. I went ahead and preordered it along with Dinosaur Valley Girls and when they arrived I quickly made time for them.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows Simon (Rhee) who is investigating the death of his sister. His journey takes him to the city where he uncovers that she was murdered because of an amulet that was split into two pieces and given to them. If the two halves of the amulet is put together it could mean certain doom for this plane of existence. **Spoiler Alert**
Furious is said to be a cult classic at this point and I can see how it could have been traded around on VHS back in the day. It had a few funny moments and the story is truly out there but it wasn’t one I enjoyed. Aside from the few laughs, I found myself waiting for it it end.
The acting in this one is consistent but it’s laughably bad at times. I’ve seen horror movies made with no budget in a teenager’s back yard with no acting experience. I’ve also seen horror flicks with a budget consisting of millions of dollars. Both have offered up solid acting. However, this one was not the best. In fact, this one features some of the weakest acting I’ve seen. The characters are pretty generic especially for a kung fu flick and their personalities are extremely bland. Also, the sounds they play over the acting during the fight scenes had me cracking up. I don’t know what the thought process was for this decision but it’s fucking hilarious when it shouldn’t be.
The story for this one really is at home for the early 80s. It is a solid adventure story with a martial arts twist. I could see myself really getting into this if it was a straight forward narrative and not a film solely focused on kung fu. I would have loved the film if it follows the man searching for answers while meeting characters with more depth than the almost dialogue-less film that we have full of fight scenes with funny sound effects.
Finally, the film doesn’t really offer up anything in regards to a body count or gore. Instead, it focuses heavily on the martial arts action which is not as impactful as they intended. It was funny at first but does run it’s course fairly early. Overall, Furious is a film that I can see why so many people enjoy but was one I didn’t enjoy. It was dull and the laughs it delivered were clearly unintentional. I seriously wanted to like this one but I couldn’t. Skip it.
Special Features:
Region Free Blu-ray
New SD master from original tape elements
Archival commentary with co-director Tim Everitt
Commentary with Justin Decloux of The Important Cinema Club and Peter Kuplowsky of the Toronto International Film Festival
High Kicking In Hollywood: Co-director Tom Sartori Interview
The Kung Fu Kid: Co-director Tim Everitt Interview
North American No-Budget Martial Arts Cinema Primer – Justin Decloux Video Essay
Rhee Brothers Career Overview – Justin Decloux Video Essay
Archival Scarecrow Video Podcast with Tim Everitt (2013)
Furious New Wave Band – Behind The Scenes Super 8 Footage
Scorched Earth Policy: Full Six Song EP (1987)
Cinema Face: Live in Concert (1986)
Tom Sartori 1980s Music Video Reel
Tom Sartori Super 8 Short Films Reel
Original Trailers
Visual Vengeance Trailer
Reversible Sleeve Featuring Original VHS Art
Folded mini-poster reproduction of original Furious one sheet
2-sided insert with alternate art
‘Stick Your Own’ VHS Sticker Set
Optional English subtitles
Limited Edition Slipcase by The Dude – FIRST PRESSING ONLY
Limited Edition Throwing Star Key Tag – FIRST PRESSING ONLY
