The Furious Movie Review
LOS ANGELES, June 8 — The Furious, arriving in theaters this Friday, delivers a fresh and intense take on martial arts cinema. With a cast of highly trained fighters, the film combines originality with powerful action, pushing fight choreography into bold new territory.
Plot Overview
The story follows Matia (JeeJa Yanin), who uncovers a child kidnapping operation while speaking with her husband, Navin (Joe Taslim). Despite her attempt to intervene, she fails to save the victims and soon disappears. Meanwhile, Wang Wei (Xie Miao) searches for his kidnapped daughter, Rainy (Yang Enyou). His path crosses with Navin’s investigation, and although their meeting is tense, they eventually team up to rescue both Matia and Rainy.
Cast and Performances
Joe Taslim, recognized for his roles in The Raid, The Night Comes For Us, Mortal Kombat, and Fast & Furious 6, delivers a strong and intense performance. Xie Miao adds precision and depth, while JeeJa Yanin makes a powerful comeback from retirement, showcasing her exceptional skills. Director Kenji Tanigaki and action director Kensuke Sonomura skillfully utilize their talents to create standout combat sequences.
Unique Action and Choreography
The film’s action stands out for its creativity. Instead of relying only on punches and kicks, the choreography emphasizes movement, balance, and momentum. In one scene, Matia uses her attackers’ force to propel herself across the floor. In another, she transforms a forced split into a counterattack. These sequences feel fresh and unpredictable.
Memorable Fight Sequences
Even supporting characters bring distinct physical styles. A large henchman moves with a strange, almost animal-like motion, while fighters continue attacking even after falling. Wang’s relentless pursuit of his daughter leads to intense, high-speed action moments.
Fight scenes build on each other with increasing intensity. In an MMA ring sequence, broken glass is used to injure fighters, adding realism and brutality. Combat flows continuously, with fighters using each other’s bodies to maintain momentum.
Use of Weapons and Violence
Improvised weapons play a key role in the film. A ladder, unlike its comedic use in classic martial arts films, becomes a heavy and dangerous tool. The violence is impactful, especially in scenes involving innocent victims, reinforcing the seriousness of the child trafficking storyline.
Language and Setting
Most of the dialogue is in English. Wang remains silent due to a head injury, while Rainy speaks a Chinese dialect with subtitles. The setting is described as “somewhere in Southeast Asia,” though the film was shot in Thailand. This vague setting adds a universal feel while still appealing to fans of Asian cinema.
Final Verdict
Martial arts films have evolved through years of innovation across different regions. The Furious respects that legacy while introducing its own creative style. With its inventive choreography and intense action, the film offers a gripping and memorable experience for action fans.