In “The Furious,” action choreographer Tanigaki Kenji crafts a Pan-Asian action epic featuring talents from various regions, including China, Japan, and Thailand. The film’s dialogue mixes sign language, Mandarin, and English, set in an ambiguous Southeast Asian locale. The plot revolves around mute handyman Wang Wei (Xie Miao), who embarks on a quest to rescue his daughter Rainy (Yang Enyou) from a trafficking gang. He teams up with Navin (Joe Taslim), a journalist whose wife has also vanished while investigating the same issue. Together, they face off against henchmen on a path leading to crime lord Paklung (Joey Iwanaga) and his lethal bodyguard Tak (Yayan Ruhian).
While the linear narrative evokes comparisons to familiar titles like “Taken” and “Ong-Bak,” Tanigaki eschews excessive gore, focusing instead on choreography. Humor punctuates the violence, easing some of the film’s more absurd moments. Xie embodies righteous fury as Wang, with his martial prowess established from his childhood acting alongside Jet Li. Taslim’s effortless charm complements Yang’s poignant portrayal of vulnerability amidst chaos. Stuntman Brian Le adds a standout performance as the burly but agile Ho, though the supporting cast leans on stereotypes.
Ultimately, “The Furious” excels in delivering well-executed action sequences, but falters with a lackluster climax, leaving viewers wanting more. Nevertheless, its commitment to frenetic mayhem places it within the legacy of classic kung fu cinema. The film releases in UK cinemas on June 26.
