Review: The Furious
The Furious is a surprising Hong Kong action film about a man who goes to great lengths to save his daughter from kidnappers. The synopsis alone recalls an often tired strain of rescue-driven action films: Taken, Man on Fire, Sound of Freedom. However, despite the simple plot, The Furious distinguishes itself with creative martial arts choreography and compelling characters.
The Furious follows two justice-seeking men: Wang Wei (Xie Miao) and Navin (Joe Taslim). Wang Wei is a hardworking handyman in Southeast Asia, trying to provide for his daughter Rainy (Enyou Yang). Wang is mute and communicates with her through sign language. He is a caring father, providing for his daughter and teaching her Kung Fu so that she can protect herself. One day after an argument, his daughter storms off and is kidnapped. Wang chases after her and fights with all he has to save her from the kidnappers, but he is overpowered and outmaneuvered. With suspiciously little help from the police, Wang must fight for his daughter himself.
Navin’s story begins with his wife Matia’s (JeeJa Yanin) disappearance. Matia, like her husband, is a journalist, and she is investigating a kidnapping and child-trafficking network in Southeast Asia. However, one night when she tries to free a child, she falls into the hands of the traffickers, her fate unknown. Navin resolves to go undercover to try to find his wife and finish the work she started. Later, while undercover and posing as a buyer of trafficked children, Wang bursts onto the scene like a Kung Fu whirlwind of fury and vengeance. Eventually, the two realize their common motives and team up against the corrupt and despicable establishment responsible for the missing children.
