Review: ‘Blade of Fury’ (1993)

Wang Wu leads a nationalist group called The Black Flag against Japanese invaders only to see his group destroyed before he escapes. A number of years pass and he is found living as a blacksmith trying to forget his past. Wu is talked into assisting the government by Tan Szu-tung (Ti Lung), a political reformist. Wu starts up a kung fu school while Szu-tung finds his progressive philosophy at odds with his conservative friend, Yuan Shih-kai, a government official. Wu and Szu-tung join forces against Shih-kai to consolidate the Emperor’s power by bringing down the Empress Dowager. In the end, they face insurmountable odds and must accept the hand of fate.

This generally entertaining film is plagued with a number of flaws even while it scores points in other areas. The choreography is better than most kung fu films that come before but sadly lacks the polish of contemporary and later films such as IRON MONKEY. There are a number of enjoyable fight scenes but they occasionally seem out of place with the story. Sammo Hung is an excellent action director and flexes his skills here with lots of solid kung fu action. Unfortunately, wires can be seen at times and the camera work is uneven while some of the stunt work is too comically unrealistic to fit in a seemingly serious story.

The film has an epic feel to it with fights arranged in grand outdoor scenes. The subject has potential to be a truly dramatic experience. Chinese fight for freedom from Japanese Imperialism and find themselves torn by ideological differences. The acting is well done while Ti Lung, the Cary Grant of kung fu is in top form considering his age.

I found the idea quite interesting that two essentially good people (Szu-tung & Shih-kai) who both wish the best for their country become enemies. There are rules though to be followed in kung fu film.

A few repugnant characters displaying a one-dimensional sadistic personality were present. Sammo makes a cameo in his own film to challenge Wang Wu who tries to free his friend, Szu-tung. But the encounter is too short and slightly out of place with the narrative. Cynthia Khan plays Nine Catties, Szu-tung’s student, but only provides occasional comic relief.

Sammo Hung has a penchant for delving into the underside of humanity in many of his films. I applaud his efforts to underscore simple heroism with a deeper morass of mixed emotions and doubt. BLADE OF FURY doesn’t successfully reach this greater depth because the film is trying to offer too much. Yet, there is plenty of action and the film’s look remains impressive.