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Cast:
Cynthia
Rothrock
Chin
Siu Ho
Meng
Hoi
Billy
Chow
Chung
Fa
Action:
Meng
Hoi
Producer:
Yuen
Kwai
Director:
Meng
Hoi
Score:
 
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THE
BLONDE FURY
AKA:
Righting Wrongs 2 ||
Lady Reporter || Female Reporter ||
Above The Law 2
Year:
1989 Reviewer: Tony
Ryan
Aside
from the impression given by the films alternative titles, it
is not actually a direct follow up to the classic, superior 'Righting
Wrongs', although many of the same cast appear. In fact,
it originally started out to be a kung fu comedy directed by
Rothrock's then boyfriend Meng Hoi. Production was constantly
disrupted and the long shoot can be seen as Rothrock's hair
continually changes style from scene to scene. Yuen Kwai was
brought in to beef up the action and bring some stability,
while at the same time changing the film into a darker, more
violent piece more akin to his usual work (a la 'Righting
Wrongs' and 'Yes,
Madam')
.
The
story originally sees Rothrock as an undercover newspaper
photographer, trying to uncover a money-counterfeiting ring.
The emphasis then changes to the kidnapping of her friend’s
father, who is a prosecutor trying to convict the head of the
ring. Eventually, any storyline fades away into a generic
build up to a finale designed to showcase Rothrocks fighting
and Yuen Kwai's choreography. Far better than 'Beyond
The Law' or 'China
O'Brien', however, 'Blonde
Fury' cannot match the excellent Yuen Biao vehicle 'Righting
Wrongs', as its story, direction and action are all a par
below. That is not to say the film is a failure, as it is
probably Rothrocks best work after the aforementioned 'R.W'
and 'Yes, Madam'. The finale in particular showcases a number
of excellent fight scenes bringing the best out of fan
favourites like Chin Siu Ho and Billy Chow as well as top
Gwailo villain Jeff Falcon. The films disrupted style in the
first half of the film lets it down, and is therefore not one
for too many repeated viewings, unless you scan to the fights.
Rothrock herself claims that this film showcases her best
on-screen fighting.
If,
like me, you loved the 80's action style of people like Yuen
Kwai then this is a good purchase, as the fights stand up to
repeat viewings even if the rest does not. For those looking
for a dramatic exercise or another 'Police
Story' then this may leave you unsatisfied. 4 stars for
the fights, but only 3 for the film.
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