The setting is in Vietnam, the year is 1969. Amid the explosive violence and the frenzied chaos, America begins to withdraw its troops from the Vietnam conflict. Two soldiers and long time buddies, Nick Parker (Rutger Hauer) and Frank Devereaux (Terry O'Quinn, star of THE STEPFATHER) are ready to go home. However, the mission of utmost importance to take down the enemy has been bestowed upon the two volunteers. As the heroes begin to take their toll, Parker succumbs to the fiasco in Vietnam. He fights with all his might...but the devastation is simply too much for any one man to handle...
Parker falls behind the rest of the troops. He inevitably is lost within the fiery situation... Without warning, Parker is blindsided by the enemy...and left for dead. Waking up several hours later, Parker realizes that he can no longer see...he is permanently blind.
He has no where to go. He cannot see the lurid horrors of his fallen comrades. Parker is lucky to be alive... Now, hell-bent on getting out of this nightmare and returning home...Parker must find a way to survive out in the jungles before the Vietcong arrive...
Seeking refuge in a small village, Parker is aided by friendly natives. He then learns the esoteric art of fighting without relying on what he observes. He learns the hard way that there is more to the scenario than what the eyes are allowed to witness. Without his ability to see, Parker must rely on his remaining senses to guide him out of dangerous perils. As he perfects his martial arts skills...Parker knows that he must return back to America in order to complete one last mission...
The action fast forwards twenty years later. This is when Parker is assigned to track down an old buddy of his from Vietnam. Little does he know that his old friend is in deep debt with the mob. As well, Frank Devereaux is now forced to create a new designer drug to be distributed into the streets...
Under duress, Frank must either accede to the mob's requests...or else suffer the unthinkable consequences. Meanwhile, Parker decides to take care of Devereaux's obstinate son (Brandon Call), taking him on a cross country trip to Reno, Nevada, where Frank Devereaux was last seen. The invidious mob, aware that there is a vigilante out there cleaning up their acts...decides to deploy vicious mobsters and rednecks in order to eradicate him...
BLIND FURY is a surprisingly serviceable action film. This flick is a fast paced and fun adventure with raging fury. What gives BLIND FURY merit though is its uncommon valor. Admittedly, it is kind of amazing how a vision-impaired person can be so proficient in martial arts. He certainly slices up the competition! Criminals ought to beware! He may as blind as a bat, but this swordsman has the reflexes of a jaguar, the sharp acuity of an owl, the ferocity of a lion, and the perspicacity of an eagle. His courage is as unlimited as his fighting ability. Yet, Parker can also be humble at the appropriate times.
BLIND FURY contains impressively choreographed fighting sequences and a great, tongue-in cheek sense of humor. There is plenty of violence in this film to appease action fans, but the stunts and action sequences are certainly directed with flair and verve. The way the hero perforates through the villains with his steel blade is eye-catching. The comical tones in BLIND FURY also remind the audience that this film, though full of bellicose characteristics, is good natured and harmless. The thrills in this film are abundant, and even if the violence in this film is a bit excessive, the tension and humor keep this film from straying towards sadism. Also, one of the best features is the climax, culminating to an earth shattering confrontation between the blind hero and one of the greatest ninja masters ever known...
Another interesting aspect in the story involves the humorous chemistry between Nick Parker and his friend's son. The two share a "love-hate" relationship. Although the boy may detest Parker for being overly attentive and pedantic, and Parker himself is annoyed by the boy's stubborn attitude, they both still care about each other like an uncle and nephew.
As for the villains, Randall 'Tex' Cobb (UNCOMMON VALOR) is a nice addition as a wonderfully sinister, antagonistic philistine. Sho Kosugi also performs a dazzling, show-stealing act. He happens to be a professional assassin with a vendetta against Parker.
Also, BLIND FURY is a nice revision of the ancient Japanese martial arts films. BLIND FURY captures the spirit of the "Zatoichi" movies (for which the premise of this motion picture is based on). For example, the imagery of the hero running through a cornfield evokes a reminiscence of the classic Japanese samurai films. The way this scenery was shot was haunting and surreal. That one moment was extremely well photographed. BLIND FURY is a nice tribute to such Japanese classics as the films of Akira Kurosawa or the movies featuring Toshio Mifune.
BLIND FURY is a commendable adventure with an unconventional hero. Exquisite sword-fighting, a great amount of dynamite action, a favorable lead, and an amusing albeit subtle sense of humor all add up to an enjoyable experience. BLIND FURY is definitely better than your typical action fanfare with plenty of chances to root for the good guys! BLIND FURY is cutting edge entertainment which is good natured fun. Overall, it is a smoothly crafted film.
RATING: **1/2 out of ****.
Parker falls behind the rest of the troops. He inevitably is lost within the fiery situation... Without warning, Parker is blindsided by the enemy...and left for dead. Waking up several hours later, Parker realizes that he can no longer see...he is permanently blind.
He has no where to go. He cannot see the lurid horrors of his fallen comrades. Parker is lucky to be alive... Now, hell-bent on getting out of this nightmare and returning home...Parker must find a way to survive out in the jungles before the Vietcong arrive...
Seeking refuge in a small village, Parker is aided by friendly natives. He then learns the esoteric art of fighting without relying on what he observes. He learns the hard way that there is more to the scenario than what the eyes are allowed to witness. Without his ability to see, Parker must rely on his remaining senses to guide him out of dangerous perils. As he perfects his martial arts skills...Parker knows that he must return back to America in order to complete one last mission...
The action fast forwards twenty years later. This is when Parker is assigned to track down an old buddy of his from Vietnam. Little does he know that his old friend is in deep debt with the mob. As well, Frank Devereaux is now forced to create a new designer drug to be distributed into the streets...
Under duress, Frank must either accede to the mob's requests...or else suffer the unthinkable consequences. Meanwhile, Parker decides to take care of Devereaux's obstinate son (Brandon Call), taking him on a cross country trip to Reno, Nevada, where Frank Devereaux was last seen. The invidious mob, aware that there is a vigilante out there cleaning up their acts...decides to deploy vicious mobsters and rednecks in order to eradicate him...
BLIND FURY is a surprisingly serviceable action film. This flick is a fast paced and fun adventure with raging fury. What gives BLIND FURY merit though is its uncommon valor. Admittedly, it is kind of amazing how a vision-impaired person can be so proficient in martial arts. He certainly slices up the competition! Criminals ought to beware! He may as blind as a bat, but this swordsman has the reflexes of a jaguar, the sharp acuity of an owl, the ferocity of a lion, and the perspicacity of an eagle. His courage is as unlimited as his fighting ability. Yet, Parker can also be humble at the appropriate times.
BLIND FURY contains impressively choreographed fighting sequences and a great, tongue-in cheek sense of humor. There is plenty of violence in this film to appease action fans, but the stunts and action sequences are certainly directed with flair and verve. The way the hero perforates through the villains with his steel blade is eye-catching. The comical tones in BLIND FURY also remind the audience that this film, though full of bellicose characteristics, is good natured and harmless. The thrills in this film are abundant, and even if the violence in this film is a bit excessive, the tension and humor keep this film from straying towards sadism. Also, one of the best features is the climax, culminating to an earth shattering confrontation between the blind hero and one of the greatest ninja masters ever known...
Another interesting aspect in the story involves the humorous chemistry between Nick Parker and his friend's son. The two share a "love-hate" relationship. Although the boy may detest Parker for being overly attentive and pedantic, and Parker himself is annoyed by the boy's stubborn attitude, they both still care about each other like an uncle and nephew.
As for the villains, Randall 'Tex' Cobb (UNCOMMON VALOR) is a nice addition as a wonderfully sinister, antagonistic philistine. Sho Kosugi also performs a dazzling, show-stealing act. He happens to be a professional assassin with a vendetta against Parker.
Also, BLIND FURY is a nice revision of the ancient Japanese martial arts films. BLIND FURY captures the spirit of the "Zatoichi" movies (for which the premise of this motion picture is based on). For example, the imagery of the hero running through a cornfield evokes a reminiscence of the classic Japanese samurai films. The way this scenery was shot was haunting and surreal. That one moment was extremely well photographed. BLIND FURY is a nice tribute to such Japanese classics as the films of Akira Kurosawa or the movies featuring Toshio Mifune.
BLIND FURY is a commendable adventure with an unconventional hero. Exquisite sword-fighting, a great amount of dynamite action, a favorable lead, and an amusing albeit subtle sense of humor all add up to an enjoyable experience. BLIND FURY is definitely better than your typical action fanfare with plenty of chances to root for the good guys! BLIND FURY is cutting edge entertainment which is good natured fun. Overall, it is a smoothly crafted film.
RATING: **1/2 out of ****.
