Mang zhan

Blind War (2024) Harkens Back to 80's Hong Kong Action. Blind War (2024) is a modern Chinese police martial arts action thriller starring Andy On as the heroic police officer blinded and forced into retirement amidst a violent, public terrorist attack. Despite his heroism, the results of his actions caused political unrest, and he became the public scapegoat for the police department.

Left blind, bitter, and abandoned by everyone but his daughter, he becomes obsessed with her protection. When his daughter becomes the victim of a revenge kidnapping, the action kicks into high gear. This is the basis of the film's dramatic plot.

The film has many call backs to the flood of Hong Kong Action films of the 1980's and 90's. There is a lot of well choreographed, albeit, unrealistic fight scenes, family drama, and some Buster Keaton-esque humor, which became a staple of many action films in the sub-genre; most notably, Jackie Chan's. Much of the film's look, scripting, and fighting is "over the top", but that is part of the design, and part of the charm. Blind War is fun to watch.

Andy On is good in the lead roll, and the film's Direction by Huo Suiting is very sound. The movie will keep you interested throughout, and is heavy on action and violence. The characters and the players are good.

I recommend Blind War for fans of 1980's Hong Kong films, as well as action films that were never familiar with that sub-genre.