This is a review for a movie that's quite close to my own (Guinness-soaked) heart.
A film that has spent several years in development hell, primarily due to funding and the other tribulations associated with making quality movies outside of the studio-system.
After a long wait, it's finally here, in all it's blood-soaked gory glory.
Ladies and (those few) Gentleman out there, I am proud to review Darren Ward's latest, Balls-To The-wall, Gore-To-The-Floor, Foot-Smashing, Pistol-Whipping, Eye-Popping, Southampton Chainsaw Massacre (more commonly known as) BEYOND FURY
Synopsis:
Former Mercenary, Hit-man and all-round 'Double-Hard Bastard' Walker (Nick Roberts) has laid down his guns and 'increased the peace' since decimating half of South East England (in 1997's blood-splattered 'Sudden Fury') Now settled down with a wife (and a child on the way) things are looking tickety-boo for our hero....But worry not wastrels, this aint no 'Tom Hanks' rom-com, and anyone familiar with this directors work, will surely know that notions of both peace and love are about as short-lived (not to mention 'family-friendly') as a Peter Suttcliffe cartoon on Cbeebies.
(Walker - Texas Homecare)
Exiting a resturaunt one evening, the happy couple have a random (yet grave) encounter with two drunken, abusive lowlife's in the nearby carpark. What starts out as profane 'ribbing' takes a darker tone to crude insults. These degenerates are led by 'Spider', son of feared Russian crime-lord Ivan Lenzivitch (Giovanni Lombardo Radice) and unbeknownst to Walker, Spider has a truck full of Daddies 'footsoldiers' ready to cause maximum damage.
(Rednecks)
Walker attempts to defend his pregnant wife's honour but is set upon in a brutal fashion by his unforgiving assailants. Our Hapless couple are taken to a garage, wherein Walker manages to get in a few licks of his own (notably a returned flick-knife into the owners neck) but is soon overpowered and given the 'Ike Turner' workout by his captors. Severely wounded and near unconscious, Walker is forced to watch his wife stripped, violated and subsequently mudered.
(Deadnecks)
The bad guys (drunk on their own self-importance) dump the bodies of both walker and his wife, in a nearby alleyway. Police (led by Joanna Finata & Harold Gasnier) find their bodies...but it turns out Lenzivitchs' goons have made three fatal mistakes:
The bad guys (drunk on their own self-importance) dump the bodies of both walker and his wife, in a nearby alleyway. Police (led by Joanna Finata & Harold Gasnier) find their bodies...but it turns out Lenzivitchs' goons have made three fatal mistakes:
Mistake #1 was fucking with Walker in the first place.
Mistake #2 was killing Walkers pregnant wife.
Mistake #3 was not finishing off the job.
Because Walker is (somehow) still alive, pissed off and itching for payback.....
Let the hunt begin....
(Fuck Blondes, this Gentleman prefers redheads)
Review:
Beyond Fury is the 'threequel' of director Darren Ward's blood-soaked trilogy (and a direct sequel to his first full length release 'Sudden Fury') Despite several (hard) years in the making, the sheer determination and perseverance shines throughout in every scene. Whilst still boasting over-the-top violence and excellent FX work....the carnage is never glorified. Ward stays true to the explotation 'genre' he loves so dearly....whilst highlighting the consequences of such bloodletting.
(Don't order the swordfish)
Sure, there's an (almost regimantal) plethora of clichés on parade here. Lesser movies (and likewise directors) would invariably succumb to the temptation for comedic mugging, but thankfuly Ward wisely opts for 'respectful nods' over 'knowing winks'.
For example, the many instances that various characters gush platitudes about 'How Much Of A Badass' Walker is, would make even Steven Seagal blush.....But in Ward's capable hands, it works. The key is (as always) to play it straight.
Despite (or maybe 'thanks' to) the lack of resources for multiple takes or reshoots, the cast (Ward's strongest to date) compliment each other on screen. Giovanni Lombardo Radice needs no introduction (and shows no signs of slowing down in either his 'craft' or enthusiasm) but Ward has also added a few more familiar faces to his arsenal.
We have Jeff Stewart (The Bill, Mob Handed) who's always great value for money, as Frankie, an associate of Lenzivitch, living on borrowed money (and likewise time)
Beyond Fury is the 'threequel' of director Darren Ward's blood-soaked trilogy (and a direct sequel to his first full length release 'Sudden Fury') Despite several (hard) years in the making, the sheer determination and perseverance shines throughout in every scene. Whilst still boasting over-the-top violence and excellent FX work....the carnage is never glorified. Ward stays true to the explotation 'genre' he loves so dearly....whilst highlighting the consequences of such bloodletting.
Sure, there's an (almost regimantal) plethora of clichés on parade here. Lesser movies (and likewise directors) would invariably succumb to the temptation for comedic mugging, but thankfuly Ward wisely opts for 'respectful nods' over 'knowing winks'.
For example, the many instances that various characters gush platitudes about 'How Much Of A Badass' Walker is, would make even Steven Seagal blush.....But in Ward's capable hands, it works. The key is (as always) to play it straight.
Despite (or maybe 'thanks' to) the lack of resources for multiple takes or reshoots, the cast (Ward's strongest to date) compliment each other on screen. Giovanni Lombardo Radice needs no introduction (and shows no signs of slowing down in either his 'craft' or enthusiasm) but Ward has also added a few more familiar faces to his arsenal.
We have Jeff Stewart (The Bill, Mob Handed) who's always great value for money, as Frankie, an associate of Lenzivitch, living on borrowed money (and likewise time)
(Bill Why-Man)
Then we have Dan Van Husen (Salon Kitty, Nosferatu The Vampire & Innumerous Spaghetti Westerns) as Reverend Mortimer, Walkers former mentor, who despite his vows, is always on hand to assist his friend on the path to vengeance (thank God for that, eh?)
Then we have Dan Van Husen (Salon Kitty, Nosferatu The Vampire & Innumerous Spaghetti Westerns) as Reverend Mortimer, Walkers former mentor, who despite his vows, is always on hand to assist his friend on the path to vengeance (thank God for that, eh?)
But in my humble opinion, the ace in the pack, is (once again) long time stalwart, Victor D Thorn, as shadowy agent Smith, hot on the trail of Walker.
Yes, Thorn still sounds like Chris Tarrant with Tourettes, but he has a great screen pressence and some genuinelly funny lines (made funnier by the po-faced nature of their delivery) and alongside Roberts, Thorn makes up the Darren Ward repertory company, that's lead to three collaborations so far (and hopefuly more to come?)
Cinematography is crisp and clean (as is the editing) and the (John Carpenter-esque) soundtrack (courtesy of Dave Andrews) is first rate. As usual with Ward's pictures, the technical merits belie any budgetory constraints and this is without a doubt, the best looking movie he's made to date (would be nice to see this on Blu-Ray someday soon?) hint-hint, potential distributors?
As usual with Darren Ward's movies, the devil is in the detail. The decades between releases have not only matured the film-maker, but also finely tuned his deft handling of daily 'minutiae'.....Best exemplified in a (genuinelly heartbreaking) sequence, which finds Walker (full of understandable rage) brought to his knees, not by an opponent, but by the mere sight of an empty childrens cot.
You can't buy (or fake) scenes like this.
Less harrowing, but equally telling, was a scene early on in the resturaunt between Walker and wife. They decide to leave impromptu, but Walker (regardless of the spontaneity) still finishes off his beer (how many Hollywood movies, do you see where the cast leave full food and drink, after barely a forkful?) Whether or not this was planned or just a 'human trait' on Nick Roberts behalf, it still adds a touch of detail and realism to proceedings. It's always little touches like these that stay with me, long after the movie is over.
If all the aforementioned 'ingredients' don't attract you to 'Beyond Fury' then it's highly likely that you have any genuine affinity for the genre to start with (and I shudder to think how you actual came across this review in the first place?) However, if you do have a taste for extremely violent revenge thrillers that set standards (instead of merely following them) then this movie will restore your faith in UK independent film-making. Highly Recommended (if you hadn't figured my rating already?)
Unlike Deontay Wilder....get 'Beyond Fury' (DrumRollCymbal)
P.S, Who says you can't buy happiness?
See 'Beyond Fury'.....Before it see's you.
