Stu Kick's Ultimate Guide to Kung Fu movies
February 7th 2007 09:53
A special guest entry today from my friend Stu Kicks...
Sup, my name is Stu Kicks and I thought I'd write a guide to mad Kung Fu and martial arts movies for all you know-nothings out there. Me and my friends watch heaps of this shit over and over and we don’t let no school get in our way so you know I’m straight up.
The King of Kung Fu
Most people will try to tell you that the King of martial arts movies is Bruce Lee… well I ask of them, if he’s so good how come he never did another movie after the 70s? I saw Game of Death 2 and it was fucking shit. Obviously, the true king is Jackie Chan. Starting with ‘Rush Hour’ and ‘Shanghai Noon’, Jackie Chan has dominated martial arts films ever since – his recent benchmark being ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, which has some tops fight sequences. For more obscure Jackie Chan films, check out ‘The Tuxedo’ and ‘The Medellion’.
The Karate Kid
Many people remember ‘The Karate Kid’ as the moment when screen legends Ralph Macchio and Elisabeth Shue first erupted onto our screens, but for martial arts fans it is best remembered for being the first great martial arts movie. The sequel was pretty good, but it wasn’t until the third film and the much anticipated ‘Next Karate Kid’ that the full potential of martial arts in film was realized. True fans still clamour for a fifth Karate Kid film that would see the next Karate Kid and Ralph Macchio reunite. Rumour has it that the Academy Awards will give Ralph Macchio an automatic Oscar if this happens.
Steven Seagal
Seagal is currently the greatest non-Asian and non-Italian working in martial arts film today. In true testament to his abilities, he manages to put out at least two films a year that are so good they can’t even wait for the big screen. Us kung fu fans are so desperate for his films that they come straight to DVD, they don’t even bother putting them up on the big screen! Cause they know we NEED to own it straight away! Highlights of Seagel’s astonishing career include ‘Under Seige 2’, ‘The Glimmer Man’, ‘Today You Die’ and ‘Exit Wounds’.
The Matrix
The Matrix is the best example of good martial arts movies being made today. The plot is a bit garbled and confusing but excellent and memorable dialogue such as ‘Not like this, not like this’ and ‘I know kung fu’ help pep up the slow sequences between the great and many fight scenes. Keanu Reeves looks set to take over the mantle once held by Jackie Chan, Steven Seagal and Ralph Macchio.
Elektra
One film that I found to be very underrated by the critics was ‘Elektra’. Then again – when have the critics ever shown any respect for good martial arts movies? I wouldn’t be surprised if Jennifer Garner goes on to have a solid career in kung fu movies. Some great fight sequences here.
Jet Li
Jet Li is commonly known among kung fu fans as the ‘Actor’s Kung Fu Actor’. Jackie Chan has his comedy, Ralph Macchio has his intense screen presence, Steven Seagal has his inhuman skills of fighting… Jet Li has the acting ability – some even contend that he is even better than most non-Kung Fu practicing actors, hence their unwillingness to appear on screen with him. Jet Li got his start as the Asian kid in Goonies and Indiana Jones 2 and eventually moved into great martial arts-orientated films like ‘The One’ and ‘Unleashed’.
Anyways guys, that’s a good start and if you manage to track down all these gems I reckon you’ll be on your way to be a true martial arts film fan like me. Peace out. Stu.
Sup, my name is Stu Kicks and I thought I'd write a guide to mad Kung Fu and martial arts movies for all you know-nothings out there. Me and my friends watch heaps of this shit over and over and we don’t let no school get in our way so you know I’m straight up.
The King of Kung Fu
Most people will try to tell you that the King of martial arts movies is Bruce Lee… well I ask of them, if he’s so good how come he never did another movie after the 70s? I saw Game of Death 2 and it was fucking shit. Obviously, the true king is Jackie Chan. Starting with ‘Rush Hour’ and ‘Shanghai Noon’, Jackie Chan has dominated martial arts films ever since – his recent benchmark being ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, which has some tops fight sequences. For more obscure Jackie Chan films, check out ‘The Tuxedo’ and ‘The Medellion’.
The Karate Kid
Many people remember ‘The Karate Kid’ as the moment when screen legends Ralph Macchio and Elisabeth Shue first erupted onto our screens, but for martial arts fans it is best remembered for being the first great martial arts movie. The sequel was pretty good, but it wasn’t until the third film and the much anticipated ‘Next Karate Kid’ that the full potential of martial arts in film was realized. True fans still clamour for a fifth Karate Kid film that would see the next Karate Kid and Ralph Macchio reunite. Rumour has it that the Academy Awards will give Ralph Macchio an automatic Oscar if this happens.
Steven Seagal
Seagal is currently the greatest non-Asian and non-Italian working in martial arts film today. In true testament to his abilities, he manages to put out at least two films a year that are so good they can’t even wait for the big screen. Us kung fu fans are so desperate for his films that they come straight to DVD, they don’t even bother putting them up on the big screen! Cause they know we NEED to own it straight away! Highlights of Seagel’s astonishing career include ‘Under Seige 2’, ‘The Glimmer Man’, ‘Today You Die’ and ‘Exit Wounds’.
The Matrix
The Matrix is the best example of good martial arts movies being made today. The plot is a bit garbled and confusing but excellent and memorable dialogue such as ‘Not like this, not like this’ and ‘I know kung fu’ help pep up the slow sequences between the great and many fight scenes. Keanu Reeves looks set to take over the mantle once held by Jackie Chan, Steven Seagal and Ralph Macchio.
Elektra
One film that I found to be very underrated by the critics was ‘Elektra’. Then again – when have the critics ever shown any respect for good martial arts movies? I wouldn’t be surprised if Jennifer Garner goes on to have a solid career in kung fu movies. Some great fight sequences here.
Jet Li
Jet Li is commonly known among kung fu fans as the ‘Actor’s Kung Fu Actor’. Jackie Chan has his comedy, Ralph Macchio has his intense screen presence, Steven Seagal has his inhuman skills of fighting… Jet Li has the acting ability – some even contend that he is even better than most non-Kung Fu practicing actors, hence their unwillingness to appear on screen with him. Jet Li got his start as the Asian kid in Goonies and Indiana Jones 2 and eventually moved into great martial arts-orientated films like ‘The One’ and ‘Unleashed’.
Anyways guys, that’s a good start and if you manage to track down all these gems I reckon you’ll be on your way to be a true martial arts film fan like me. Peace out. Stu.
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