Fists Fly, Logic Crumbles, and It’s Glorious

Read Time:4 Minute, 11 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Furious [Visual Vengeance Collector's Edition]
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Genre: Martial Arts, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Year Released: 1984, Visual Vengeance Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 13m
Director(s): Tim Everitt, Tom Sartori
Writer(s): Tim Everitt, Tom Sartori
Cast: Simon Rhee, Phillip Rhee, Howard Jackson, Arlene Montano, Loren Avedon, Peter Malota, Tommy Kim
Where To Watch: available February 25, 2025, pre-order here: www.mvdshop.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: This is one of those rare films where logic and structure take a backseat to sheer creative chaos, but it works. Blending martial arts with fantasy, absurdity, and a relentless commitment to unpredictability delivers a fever-dream experience wrapped in high-energy action. This isn’t just an independent film from the 1980s; it’s an experiment where every scene feels like the filmmakers were daring themselves to push things further into the bizarre.

The story follows Simon, played by Simon Rhee, a martial artist whose life is upended after his sister is murdered. Seeking answers, he reconnects with his former master, Chan (Phillip Rhee), which sets him on a journey that quickly spirals out of control. What begins as a straightforward revenge plot takes an unexpected turn, leading Simon into a world where mysticism and martial arts collide. By the time sorcery and the supernatural come into play, it becomes clear that the film is far more interested in wild invention than convention.

Rather than playing it safe, the film embraces an offbeat energy that feels completely untethered from reality. Some moments appear ripped straight from a martial arts fantasy, while others resemble a dream sequence that somehow made it into an action movie. The filmmakers had no intention of making a traditional martial arts flick. One minute, characters are engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and the next, a magician appears out of nowhere, a mysterious artifact changes hands, or someone transforms into an animal. The more the film tries to surprise its audience, the more it turns into surrealism, ensuring nothing stays predictable.

Despite its chaotic storytelling, the fight choreography remains a highlight. The Rhee brothers bring technical skill and athleticism, giving the action sequences real momentum. Unlike many martial arts films that rely on rapid cuts to disguise weaker stunt work, this one favors longer takes and wide shots, giving viewers a clear view of each punch, kick, and takedown. Simon Rhee’s martial arts prowess is on full display, and while the overall production may feel rough around the edges, the fights showcase some genuinely impressive technique.

It’s impossible to ignore the film’s budgetary limitations, which are most apparent in its special effects. While ambitious, the special effects are achieved through practical means that sometimes come across as unintentionally funny. Yet rather than detracting from the experience, these quirks add to the film’s charm, making it the kind of project that thrives in cult cinema circles.

Dialogue is minimal, with much of the story conveyed through movement, facial expressions, and dreamlike imagery. While some might find this lack of exposition frustrating, it works to the film’s advantage, reinforcing that this experience is meant to be felt rather than analyzed. The decision to let visuals drive the narrative allows the film to lean even further into its off-kilter atmosphere, making its unpredictable shifts in tone all the more striking.

This film is not for those seeking polished storytelling, carefully structured plotlines, or high-budget spectacle. It’s for those who appreciate unfiltered creativity, chaotic energy, and a willingness to experiment. Whether viewed as an accidental cult classic, a martial arts curiosity, or an example of independent filmmaking that takes wild risks, it delivers an experience unlike anything else. Some films are polished, refined, and precise—this one throws precision out the window in favor of sheer audacity, and that’s exactly what makes it so fun.

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[photo courtesy of LIBRA VERDE MEDIA, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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