Kung-fu Movie Stars

[dust]

It seemed like C T and I were about to turn an unrelated topic into a discussion of the merits of Jet Li and Donnie Yen, so thought I'd post here.

 

My favourite kung fu / wushu / martial arts movie guys from China include

 

Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Carter Wong, Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen

 

 

C T mentioned a bunch of other guys, some of whom I don't even know by name (but possibly by face), including

 

Wang Yu, David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chen Kuan Tai, Wu Jing (Jacky Wu), Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao

 

 

Anyone else into intensely and meticulously choreographed fight scenes featuring Asian people?

 

For me, now, the coolest stuff is happening elsewhere (Tony Jaa in Thailand, Iko Uwais in Indonesia..), but China will always be the motherland, and Jackie my eternal favourite.

 

C T, why so big on Donnie and Wu Jing?

[C T]

Well, celebrity martial artists are usually remembered for their superbly choreographed & executed final fight scenes. The ones that i found memorable happen to star both these actors. Ip Man 1 + 2, SPL, 14 Blades, Legend of the Fist, Legendary Assassin, Tai Chi Boxer, Fatal Contact, Shaolin... some of the really good ones with either one or both these actors.

 

Upcoming MA actor to watch out for is another Wushu fighter, Jayden Yuan, of Tai Chi Zero fame.

 

[Marblehead]

Yeah, Jet Li and Donnie Yen for certain. Of course, one cannot deny Tony Jaa.

 

Sammo is still very active directing the action scenes in many movies.

 

I enjoyed that TV series Sammo was in here in the States. Too bad it lasted only one season.

[silent thunder]

I was so happy when in the middle of Kill Bill, Gordon Liu suddenly popped on the screen.

Nice move Quentin.

 

So along with those mentioned, I'd add Gordon to the list.

 

and Tony Jaa as well...

 

Edited October 17, 2014 by silent thunder

[dust]

Well, celebrity martial artists are usually remembered for their superbly choreographed & executed final fight scenes. The ones that i found memorable happen to star both these actors. Ip Man 1 + 2, SPL, 14 Blades, Legend of the Fist, Legendary Assassin, Tai Chi Boxer, Fatal Contact, Shaolin... some of the really good ones with either one or both these actors.

 

Upcoming MA actor to watch out for is another Wushu fighter, Jayden Yuan, of Tai Chi Zero fame.

 

 

Ah, but of course. Same for me, except the ones that stick in my mind are Jackie's. Drunken Master, Legend of Drunken Master, Snake in Eagle's Shadow, and probably 2 dozen more..

I will be checking out whichever I haven't seen from that list. Sounds like I need to catch up on Wu Jing.

 

 

I was so happy when in the middle of Kill Bill, Gordon Liu suddenly popped on the screen.

Nice move Quentin.

 

So along with those mentioned, I'd add Gordon to the list.

 

and Tony Jaa as well...

 

Not a huge Tarantino fan, but he swayed me slightly with Pai Mei! Yes Gordon was another I almost mentioned.

 

Jaa is incredible, most certainly my favourite right now. I clearly remember the first time I watched Ong Bak -- picked it up randomly at a pirate dvd shop in Beijing, no subtitles so I couldn't understand a word, but I was rapt from the first 5 seconds.

 

Have you seen the The Raid movies with Iko Uwais?

 

(minor location spoiler for The Raid 2)

 

 

Edited October 17, 2014 by dustybeijing

[i am]

Yeah I was really disappointed with Ip Man III. What happened there? I'm sure there's some story behind it. Not even in the same league as the first two.

[C T]

Yeah I was really disappointed with Ip Man III. What happened there? I'm sure there's some story behind it. Not even in the same league as the first two.

I think in recent times there were four Ip Man films made. The first 2 with Donnie were pretty good,

excellent in fact. Then someone saw an opportunity to strike while the proverbial iron is still hot,

and quickly put out Ip Man 3, which was goofy, to say the least. Even the presence of Sammo

and Yuen Biao did not glitz the appeal up one bit.

 

Last year they released Ip Man: The Final Fight, with Anthony Wong. Who that???

Well, i know who Anthony Wong is, a brilliant actor in his own right, but to cast him in that role,

imo, was, whats the right word for it, weakish, i think.

[silent thunder]

Ah, but of course. Same for me, except the ones that stick in my mind are Jackie's. Drunken Master, Legend of Drunken Master, Snake in Eagle's Shadow, and probably 2 dozen more..

I will be checking out whichever I haven't seen from that list. Sounds like I need to catch up on Wu Jing.

 

 

 

Not a huge Tarantino fan, but he swayed me slightly with Pai Mei! Yes Gordon was another I almost mentioned.

 

Jaa is incredible, most certainly my favourite right now. I clearly remember the first time I watched Ong Bak -- picked it up randomly at a pirate dvd shop in Beijing, no subtitles so I couldn't understand a word, but I was rapt from the first 5 seconds.

 

Have you seen the The Raid movies with Iko Uwais?

 

(minor location spoiler for The Raid 2)

 

 

Nope, I haven't seen The Raid, but I'll check it out.

 

I'm with you on Tarantino, he has a tendency to go into shock porn and it takes me out of the story, ruining the film.

Any more, I avoid his stuff.

[Nungali]

And that 'little girl' in 'Chocolate.'

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxV1-9Nnm44

 

great stunt at 4.05 !

 

 

( I have to teach a girls self-defence class at 8.30 this morning .... they aint gonna be like her !

[Marblehead]

Yeah, I saw that movie a while back. Great action. And no doubt, she is good.

[Formless Tao]

For me Bruce all the way. Tony Jaa to me is the closest I have seen to Bruce but IMO still not on the same level.

 

Iko Uwais movies are good. Check out his first Indonesian movie 'Merantau'. The Raid and Rain II are also good.

 

In terms of an amazing 'realistic' fight scene I cant go past Bruces' 'The Way of the Dragon' with Chuck Norris...

Edited October 26, 2014 by Formless Tao

[Taomeow]

Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi

 

[Nungali]

 

In terms of an amazing 'realistic' fight scene I cant go past Bruces' 'The Way of the Dragon' with Chuck Norris...

 

Especially the 'mental strategy'

 

@5.15

 

 

 

"Oooo ... that worked ... think I will do it again ... and again .. and .... sucked in ! "

 

beware the 3rd 'attempt'

Edited October 27, 2014 by Nungali

[Marblehead]

 

Especially the 'mental strategy'

 

 

I think that is the only movie with Chuck where he lost a fight.

[Nungali]

As a lad I did some Sikaran, the class was run by two brothers, big brother black belt and little brother brown belt. They were both far better than me at it, yet occasionally I could best the big black but not the little brown although the older was 'technically superior' . I could 'out-fox' him ... but not the younger one ... he had a lot going on upstairs ... and a a great side kick ... oofff ! - it wasnt a step/ shuffle on the same side one ... he would step through with the back leg and turn to face the other side he started on as it was delivered ... it tended to not drive you back like the other way of doing, but it certainly 'penetrated' ... like I said "ooof!"

 

I couldnt beat him ... I dont think I ever did ... because I couldnt outsmart him ( I couldnt even trap that bastard kicking leg of his! )

Edited October 27, 2014 by Nungali

[GreytoWhite]

Cliff Lok.

[Marblehead]

BTW I watched Donnie Yen in "14 Blades" the other night.

 

One scene had him with no clothes above the waist. That man has been working out at the (likely his own) gym.

[dust]

An excellent explanation of why Jackie is the best that ever did it (and he is...make no mistake..)