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 the film's action scenes are exceptional, I believe that the hype might be a bit overblown. The film's generic plot and lack of character development make it a decent action film, but not necessarily the best of the decade.
The film follows Wang Wei (Xie Miao), a mute handyman and widower, on his relentless pursuit to rescue his kidnapped daughter. The action choreography is raw, vicious, and exquisitely executed, with Meteor Cheung's camerawork and Chris Tonick's editing enhancing the visceral impact of the fights. The climax, a brutal three-way fight in a police station, is highlighted as the film's peak.
However, what makes this film particularly fascinating is the contrast between its action scenes and its generic plot. While the action is exceptional, the plot is predictable and familiar, with very few surprises. This raises a deeper question: is the film's success due to its action scenes, or is it simply a result of the audience's desire for more action films?
In my opinion, the film's success is a combination of both. The action scenes are so ferocious and inventive that they leave you gasping for breath, but the generic plot and lack of character development make it a bit of a letdown. The film is a decent action film, but it's not the best of the decade.
One thing that immediately stands out is the film's international cut, which is the version releasing in India. The Chinese cut gives slightly more prominence to Wang's character, and there is a tease for a sequel that is absent from the international version. This raises a question: is the film's success due to its international appeal, or is it simply a result of the audience's desire for more action films?
From my perspective, the film's success is a combination of both. The action scenes are so ferocious and inventive that they leave you gasping for breath, but the generic plot and lack of character development make it a bit of a letdown. The film is a decent action film, but it's not the best of the decade. It's a film that will appeal to action-hounds, but it's not a film that will leave a lasting impression on the audience.
In conclusion, The Furious is a decent action film, but it's not the best of the decade. While the action scenes are exceptional, the generic plot and lack of character development make it a bit of a letdown. The film is a good example of the action genre, but it's not a film that will change the genre forever. It's a film that will appeal to action-hounds, but it's not a film that will leave a lasting impression on the audience.
