The Furious and the amalgamation of cinematic martial arts excellence

Within each and every decade we often get martial arts action films that push the cinematic boundaries of what is considered possible to capture on screen. Such films , are so impactful and captivatingly mesmerizing they change the zeitgeist of global pop culture. And eventually become stapled, cemented, ingrained and accepted to being a part of global culture.

These are the films to name for example:

Enter The Dragon (1973)

Police Story (1985)

Bloodsport (1988)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Once Upon a Time in China (1991)

Hard Boiled (1992)

Fist of Legend (1994)

Blade (1998)

The Matrix (1999)

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)

Ong-Bak (2003)

Flashpoint (2007)

Ip Man (2008)

The Raid 1 & 2 (2011/2014)

Each of those films have contributed something unique, groundbreaking , and monumentally different to the martial arts action cinema movement. And now the newest film to hold the mantle of offering groundbreaking innovative and freshly unique action experiences is Kenji Tanigaki latest directorial film The Furious (2026).

The Furious has all the right elements to make a timeless martial arts action masterpiece. From Kenji Tanigaki directing , Bill Kong producing, Kensuke Sonomura as the action choreographer. And the all-star cast of actors spanning over four generations, who have individually starred in monumental martial arts action movies.

Film synopsis: A father (Xie Miao) fights fiercely against ruthless kidnappers to save his abducted daughter , as he teams up with an undercover journalist (Joe Taslim) looking for his partner.

The martial arts and action film genre. Has never been shy to exposing the harsh ruthless reality of kidnapping and trafficking. The way The Furious decides to shed light on the subject matter is executed well. Without feeling derivative of other similar films. The Furious , knows how to blend ideas of similar films. To make something new out of it. In terms of narrative and in cinematic tonality. The Furious belongs to the cinematic family tree of four films. The Man from Nowhere (2010) , The Night Comes For Us (2018), Re:Born (2016), & My Father is a Hero (1995).

Despite The Furious being similar to those previous films. The action sequences and fight choreography of The Furious is extremely innovative and brand new to the screen. The conceptual approach to how the fights are choregraphed and filmed. Feels completely fresh and uncanny. Each fight scene serves to further the story. Which helps carry the impactful and emotional weight of the characters. There are Easter egg homages to other films within the fight scenes. But it’s nearly impossible to find other action sequences from other films to compare it to. There are a total of seven fight sequences. But there are three fight sequences to me personally. That truly stand out and really push the envelope of cinematic martial arts excellence.

[Fight Choreography]

There are four to five elements to creating memorable, iconic, and astonishing fight scenes/sequences. How it is filmed and captured in a way that doesn't jar the audience. The choreographers ability to convey and get fluid kinetic energy from their performers. The actors/stunt performers ability to execute and improvise what the choreographers has given them. Making the fight scenes flow into each other , which overall enhances the storytelling. And finally how it is edited in a way that stands out to the audience.

Kenji Tanigaki & Kensuke Sonomura are no strangers to being able to deliver on all of those elements. Individually they have choreographed some of the greatest fight scenes in modern martial arts cinema to date.

Kenji Tanigaki most notable works of action choreography. Are the films Flashpoint (2007), Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024), the live action Rurouni Kenshin films (2012/2021), Legend of The Fist (2010) & Kill Zone (2005).

Kensuke Sonomura most notable works of action choreography. Are the films Bad City (2022), Baby Assassins 1-3 (2021/2024), the anime The Boy and The Beast (2015), Bushido Man (2013) , Video Game Devil May Cry 4 (2008), Ghost Killer (2024), Gantz:O (2016) , Hydra (2019), Assistant action director The Warriors Way (2010), & One Percenter (2023).

With Kenji directing and Kensuke choreographing you couldn't ask for a better duo to create unique, uncanny, & artistically masterful fight scenes.

It sometimes feels nearly impossible to introduce something new, different, and groundbreaking to the martial arts cinematic genre. Because we may feel we've seen it all at this point. But rest assured this film is able to break in new ground and introduce fresh ideas to the genre and action cinema overalll. And the cast of the film have each individually put in time and work throughout their careers bringing forward stellar action films. So it comes to no surprise this ensemble cast fits like a glove to the creative minds of Kenji Tanigaki & Kensuke Sonomura.

Personal thoughts & takeaways: For me The Furious serves as a cinematic and artistic example of everything has been said and done, except for your version. The plot of The Furious is one we’ve seen before from other films. But how Kenji Tanigaki decides to express his version of that type of film. Is what sets it apart and will stand as a true testament of time. You feel the grittiness and emotion of the film portrayed by the characters. And the hyper kinetic action sequences accentuates the story to make a monumental and memorable movie. If you’re a genuine and adimant fan of martial arts action films. Then The Furious is one you need to experience. It will be available for digital purchase on July 14th 2026 and physical release soon after.