Many people seem to have an aversion to the films of De Palma and nothing I am going to say will change their minds. I feel he may be a little too European for some Americans, a bit too aware. There again some just mention Hitchcock and role their eyes. So, for what it is worth, let me assure anyone interested that this is a very good watch. I am not suggesting that the storyline would bear too much detailed analysis but for those with a basic understanding of the theories of mind transference, telepathy, telekinesis and the like will get much from this. I found it exciting and involving, becoming scary and then very scary as an extremely emotional tale is told. Kirk Douglas, who I am not a great fan is faultless, John Cassavetes at his Rosemary's Baby's best and if Andrew Stevens is a little flat, it works within the tale and is well covered by the fantastic performance from Amy Irvine.

Directed by Brian DePalma, The Fury stars Kirk Douglas as desperate father Peter Sandza, who enlists the help of teenage psychic Gillian (Amy Irving) to find his son Robin (Andrew Stevens), who has been abducted by Ben Childress (John Cassavetes), the head of a shadowy government organisation.The Fury isn't really much of a De Parture for De Palma, who had scored a hit only two years earlier with Carrie, another film about a psychic teenage girl. This sense of deja vu might not be such an issue if The Fury was on a par with his previous film, but it isn't: the pacing is too slow, the script rather dull, the acting uneven (at times, Douglas seems to be playing his role for laughs), and the direction over-egged, De Palma laying on his Hitchcockian style to such a ridiculous degree that supposedly dramatic scenes frequently prove unintentionally hilarious.Giggle-worthy moments include Gillian's escape from a psychic institute that is rendered laughable by an over-use of slow motion, a car chase through fog (where not being able to see both vehicles at the same time seriously reduces the thrills), a pair of unfortunate Arabs on a malfunctioning fairground ride flying through a restaurant window, and Kirk Douglas' anticlimactic death scene (after all his efforts, he simply rolls off a roof).4.5 out of 10, rounded up to 5 for the reminder of just how far games consoles have advanced since the late '70s, the extraordinarily large spectacles worn by schoolgirl Cheryl (Hilary Thompson), and the film's closing full-body explosion special effect that is shown from every conceivable angle.

The Fury is directed by Brian De Palma and adapted to screenplay from his own novel by John Farris. It stars Kirk Douglas, John Cassavetes, Carrie Snodgress, Charles Durning, Amy Irving, Fiona Lewis and Andrew Stevens. Music is by John Williams and cinematography by Richard H. Kline.De Palma once again indulges in the strange world of psychic abilities and telekinetic powers, with mixed results. On one hand it features strong performances, some masterful techniques by De Palma, a superb score by Williams, and an ending fit to grace any horror film past or present. On the other it's exposition heavy, too draggy in the mid-section and much of the screenplay isn't narratively cohesive. Yet getting through the chores is worth it, the last third of film enters the realm of the weird and the bloody, gripping in texture and execution.Far from perfect but when it hits its straps it soars. 7/10

It's 1977 Mid East. Ben Childress (John Cassavetes) pretends to be sending Peter Sandza (Kirk Douglas) and his son Robin (Andrew Stevens) to Chicago. Instead he sets up an attack. Peter barely escapes but Robin wrongly assumes that his father was killed by Arab terrorists. Childress is gathering children with psychic abilities to train as US secret agents. In 1978, Chicago teen Gillian Bellaver (Amy Irving) sharpens her mental abilities in the Paragon Institute headed by Dr. McKeever (Charles Durning). Peter is tracking Gillian as a possible way to get his son back with the help of his naive girlfriend Hester (Carrie Snodgress) who works at the institute.The movie follows two tracks. Amy Irving's track reminds me of Carrie for more than one reason. Kirk Douglas' side feels like a spy action thriller. The back and forth between the two sides diminishes some of the tension. Director Brian De Palma keeps the movie going at a good clip but it doesn't necessarily all work.