Blind Fury

Director - Phillip Noyce (The Bone Collector, Roots)

Starring - Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner, Hobo with a Shotgun), Terry O'Quinn (The Stepfather, The X-Files), and Brandon Call (Step by Step, Warlock)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Action/Comedy

Tagline - "Nick Parker is quick as a snake, strong as a bull.  ...not to mention blind as a bat"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Rutger Hauer is one of the most underrated actors of his time.  He was in so many amazing films spanning his 50 year career but he really came into his own in the 80s and 90s when he appeared in some amazing action, sci-fi, and horror films that are loved by many still to this day.  Blade Runner, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Split Second and so many more.  He was again reminded how underrated of an actor he is when he appeared in the 2011 exploitation comedy Hobo with a Shotgun.  Sometime back Mill Creek Entertainment announced a blu release of Hauer's action comedy Blind Fury.  I had never seen this one and needed it for my collection.  I found it for a reasonable price on Amazon a few days ago and snagged it.  Over the weekend I had a Mill Creek marathon and this was the first one on the chopping block.

     The film follows Vietnam vet Nick Parker (Hauer) who was blinded during an attack and took prisoner.  He was then released and became a member of a small village where he was taught how to use a sword.  After many years he returns home to seek out an old friend he made while he was in the army but when he arrives at his house he discovers he is divorced and no longer living there.  He meets his ex-wife and young son but soon a group of goons disguised at police officers arrives to get the young boy to use as bait so his dad can cook up drugs.  They kill the boy's mom but Nick is able to fight them off and rescue the boy.  He promises the dying woman that he will take her son across the country to his father and save him from a casino owner who has kidnapped him and forced him to cook drugs.  

     The artwork on the blu paints a completely different picture than the artwork I had previously seen for this one.  The original artwork made me think I was in for a cheesy 80s action flick.  However, the Mill Creek release uses artwork that properly depicts the film.  It was cheesy, full of action, but it has humor that really makes it stand out.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I'm embarrassed that it took me so long to see it.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a film like this.  Hauer does a solid enough job as a blind martial arts practitioner.  His performance makes the film and the lengths he went to for a few laughs really surprised me.  Brandon Call delivers a pretty solid performance as well.  His young age here doesn't stop him from out doing some of the supporting cast.  The supporting cast delivers some hit or miss performances but the overall tone of the film is acted fairly well.  The story for this one is more comedy focused but the action and adventure works very well.  The character development works very well with the story.  There is a few scenes where the movie seems to drag on but the pacing is fairly consistent.  With a few simple changes this movie could be one of those direct to video films aimed for children that most of my generation grew up on.  I could double feature this one with Suburban Commando and 3 Ninjas.  Finally, the movie has a little blood but nothing memorable.  Most of the deaths are by sword with a little blood and little to no practical effects.  Overall, Blind Fury is one hell of a fun film.  It may not be the most memorable film but it's extremely fun.  I would highly recommend it if you are in the mood for some cheesy 80s action.  The blu release from Mill Creek looks great.  The video and audio quality is fantastic.  I highly recommend checking this one out.