Red-Barracuda
It's not every day you see a martial arts film from Australia. Day of the Panther is that film. Set in Perth in western Australia, this film is about a martial arts expert called Jason Blade. Yes, you heard that correctly
Jason Blade. It sure is a no messing name and he is a guy who certainly does not mess about. In this film, he is sent on a mission to Australia to take down a drug lord. Why is it always drug lords who are villains in 80's action movies? Are drugs really that bad? What would be wrong with mixing it up a little and occasionally have our ass kicking hero set about a gang of dishonest tradesmen? Seriously, forget class A drugs, have you ever been overcharged for the installation of a badly fitted kitchen? Now that is something really annoying, certainly bad enough to hire a guy called Jason Blade to kick hell out of them I reckon. Anyway, Day of the Panther features copious scenes featuring men in pastel coloured suits fighting. For what it's worth, I thought that by far the best part of the film was the extended scene where Blade's female partner is chased by three thugs who she dispatches with. A great scene. I was severely vexed when she was immediately killed afterwards though – a bad mistake. On a separate note, when the credits first came up I noticed the director was Brian Trenchard-Smith. It was a name I knew but couldn't think from where, I was pretty sure he was responsible for a good film. Afterwards I used this very website to put my mind to rest and it turned out the movie in question was Leprechaun 4: In Space (1996). It turns out it wasn't a good film.
dukeakasmudge
It took me 2 days to watch this movie.I started watching it yesterday & got to where I just couldn't stand to watch it anymore.I planned on finishing it later but never got back around to it so I started watching it again today.When I have to stop a movie & watch it again after awhile I restart it from the beginning.With Day Of The Panther I couldn't do it to myself all over again so I skipped ahead to where I left off & finished it from there.Other than the fight scenes, Day Of The Panther was boring.If it wasn't for the fight scenes I would've given up on this movie when I 1st had to turn it off yesterday.The only thing that makes it worth watching are the fight scenes.I enjoyed each & every 1 of them but the best has to be the very 1st.When Blade's partner burst through the wall to fight off the group of masked henchman, it reminded of all those fighting video games I like to play.The fight at the warehouse was pretty good as well.At the end it says Jason Blade will return in Strike Of The Panther.After watching this movie, I don't care enough to watch it unless it's a part of another movie pack I buy or have.There was suppose to be a 3rd named Escape Of The Panther but never got made.I know I wouldn't have any interest in seeing it either.Day Of The Panther is only a movie I'd suggest watching if you like 80's fighting flicks or just happen to buy a movie pack & it's included
Zeegrade
Very bland Australian action flick that really goes nowhere fast as Edward John Stazak's lifeless performance as high-kicking Jason Blade leaves little to distinguish it from other 80's kung-fu flicks. When Blade's partner is chased by thugs in goofy masks and eventually killed by a crimelord's second-hand man, Baxter, he flies back to Australia to seek revenge. Blade, his blonde female partner and her father were all trained Shaolin Monk style by the Panther sect of the Chinese Triad. Funny, I thought the Triads were bad guys too. Anyway Blade teams up with his departed partner's dad and his spandex wearing niece Gemma to take down Perth's underworld boss Damien Zukor whose biggest crime is his atrocious wardrobe. Two idiot detectives tail Blade and act as comic relief assuming you think stupid comments and terrible policework is amusing. Eventually Blade gains the trust of Zukor and goes undercover as one of his enforcers. From there it follows the same connect-the-dots formula that makes this a real snoozefest. There's little doubt that Mr. Stazak is a very capable martial artist which is clear during one of his many spins kicks however I'm not a twelve year old so it gets old real quick. The real mystery is the fact that this was immediately followed by the sequel "Strike of the Panther". Who exactly was demanding this? Another problem I had was the lack of boomerangs, marsupials, mates, or any other Australian stereotypes that we Yanks like so much. This panther doesn't pounce. It sleepwalks instead.
lastliberal
So what does a hot blond (Linda Megier) do when a pig is harassing you? Well, if you are a martial arts master, you take him out, especially if he is just some scumbag in a pig mask. This kinds of humorous things make this Australian chop sockey movie bearable.Blade (Edward John Stazak) is trying to find out who killed his partner and break up a drug operation. He is using his considerable skills to provide several entertaining bouts against multiple bad guys. Two bumbling cops are tailing him and providing more humor.Now, it is time for more humor as Blade works out while Paris Jefferson dances around the gym. Soon they are dancing under the sheets.Blade manages to take out another group using a broom handle. Ouch, that has to hurt.Of course, you have to have the final battle between Blade and the drug lord's (Michael Carman) henchman (Jim Richards).There will be a part 2 (IT was filmed at the same time.).