Watch Day of the Panther
- NR
- 1988
- 1 hr 24 min
-
4.5 (486)
Day of the Panther is an action-packed martial arts movie from 1988, directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith. The film stars Edward John Stazak as Jason Blade, a skilled martial artist who has been trained in the art of ninjutsu. Jason Blade is approached by his brother, who asks for his help to investigate a powerful drug syndicate, after a successful raid on a drug lab that goes wrong, his brother is killed, and Jason Blade decides to seek revenge.
The plot revolves around a criminal organization that has developed a new drug called "panther", which is capable of enhancing the strength of the user to superhuman levels. The organization intends to release the drug onto the world, and it is up to Jason Blade to prevent it from happening.
The movie starts with an exhilarating chase scene, as Jason Blade is being pursued by a group of masked men on motorcycles. The scene sets the pace for the rest of the movie, which is filled with high-speed chases, intense fights, and explosive action.
As Jason Blade delves deeper into the criminal organization, he discovers that the head of the syndicate is none other than his old martial arts teacher, Yoshida. Jason Blade must confront his former mentor, who has become corrupted by his desire for power and money.
The fight scenes in Day of the Panther are well choreographed, with a focus on hand-to-hand combat and martial arts. The fights are intense and often involve multiple opponents, showcasing the skill and agility of the actors. The film's fight coordinator, Richard Norton, is a skilled martial artist himself, and his expertise is evident in the film's action sequences.
Despite being a low-budget movie, Day of the Panther is visually stunning. The film was shot on location in Sydney, Australia, and features stunning panoramas of the city's skyline. The production design is simple yet effective, with gritty and industrial environments that add to the movie's overall tone.
The movie's soundtrack adds to the atmosphere, featuring synthesizer-heavy tracks that complement the film's futuristic themes. The main theme, composed by Ron Edgeworth, is memorable and adds to the movie's overall appeal.
The three main actors, Edward John Stazak, John Stanton, and James Richards, all deliver strong performances. Stazak, in particular, stands out as the film's protagonist, delivering an intense and commanding performance.
Although Day of the Panther has a simple premise, it is an enjoyable and entertaining action movie. The film's focus on martial arts and hand-to-hand combat, combined with its intense action sequences, create a memorable and exciting viewing experience.
In conclusion, Day of the Panther is a low-budget martial arts movie that delivers on its promise of fast-paced action and intense fight scenes. The film's strong performances, impressive cinematography, and memorable soundtrack make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Day of the Panther is a 1988 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.