The Furious: A Decent Action Film, But Not the Best of the Decade
The Furious, a Hong Kong action thriller, has been making waves among cinephiles, with many praising it as the best action film of the year, or even the decade. While I agree that it is a decent action film, I believe that the hype surrounding it is a bit overblown. The film's action choreography is indeed exceptional, with raw and vicious sequences that leave you gasping for breath. However, the overall plot is generic and familiar, with few surprises and predictable outcomes.
What makes The Furious particularly fascinating is its international cut, which offers a slightly different perspective on the story. The Chinese version, on the other hand, provides more depth to the protagonist, Wang Wei, and hints at a potential sequel. The film's setting in an undisclosed Southeast Asian city adds to its intrigue, but the lack of information about the country and its culture leaves something to be desired.
One thing that immediately stands out is the film's reliance on action as the main draw. While the action sequences are indeed impressive, the lack of character development and dramatic depth makes the film feel a bit shallow. The film's generic plotting and familiar setup, reminiscent of Taken, make it feel like a by-the-numbers action film. The characters, including the protagonist, Wang Wei, are underdeveloped, with little background information and a mysterious past.
The Furious also draws comparisons to Asian action movies from the 1980s and 1990s, with wonky English dialogue and over-the-top martial arts expertise. The presence of Yayan Ruhian, who played Mad Dog in The Raid, adds to the film's familiarity. However, the film's visual aesthetic and setting evoke memories of The Raid, with a similar sense of claustrophobia and intense action sequences.
In my opinion, The Furious is a decent action film, but it is not the best of the decade. The film's action choreography is exceptional, with raw and vicious sequences that leave you gasping for breath. However, the overall plot is generic and familiar, with few surprises and predictable outcomes. The film's reliance on action as the main draw makes it feel a bit shallow, and the lack of character development and dramatic depth leaves something to be desired. Overall, while The Furious is a solid action film, it is not the masterpiece that some critics have hailed it as.
