jhfagan Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 On my recent Hong Kong martial arts movies viewing binge, I wondered to myself, what's the best and worst contemporary martial arts movies made? Well, I don't know EVERY movie out there, but a few that I do know of, make my worst list: Gymkata Mortal Kombat Annihilation Game Of Death 2 No Retreat No Surrender ( one of Van Damme's earlier films ) A HORRIBLE martial arts film. Just horrible. and I know I'll probably get flack for this, but ... The Last Dragon It IS fun to watch sometimes, and the martial arts are decent, and Sho'nuff is classic, but the movie is too cringe inducing for me more times than not. Best? Another long list, but just a few: With the exception of Game Of Death, all Bruce Lee movies are lumped as one awesome martial arts movie! Crouching Tiger, of course. ( you don't fuck with "The Fat" !!! ) (probably get flack for this too but.... ) the first Mortal Kombat For "martial arts" its great! But bad bad marks for casting Conner McCleod as the Thunder God.ugh And to round it all out, Big Trouble In Little China!!!!!!!! Yeah baby. This is required viewing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlucci Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Top Martial Arts movie of all time? The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, aka Master Killer. I doesn't get any better than that. A must-see for all fans of the genre. Carlos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaRedSnappa Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 (edited) IMHO... Top martial arts movies: Iron Monkey - Funny with some spectacular fight scenes and of course, the great Donnie Yen (who's so criminally under-used in American movies like Blade II and Shanghai Knights). Enter the Dragon - While all of Bruce Lee's other films have some great fight scenes, the plots and production values were more reminiscent of a typical porno. Enter the Dragon is a big budget movie with great fight scenes and a cast of literally hundreds. Shogun Assassin - Lone Wolf and Cub. The Masters of Death. 'Nuff said! Ong Bak - Combine the acrobatics of early Jackie Chan with the fighting of Jet Li and you get Ong Bak. Hero: I think this movie is better in every way compared to the more acclaimed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (not that I'm saying I didn't like Crouching Tiger). The visuals are simply breathtaking and the story resonates. Master of the Flying Guillotine - I remember watching this as a kid but it didn't hold up as well when I watched it on DVD a couple of years back. I think a remake of that movie with better production values/effects would be pretty cool though. Despite it not holding up well with age, there are a lot of really inventive characters in this movie and it will always hold a place in my heart. Worst martial arts movies: Gymkata - I almost hesitate to put this in here, since it's almost offensive to call this a martial arts movie. However, the laughable placement of gymnastic equipment (metal bars sticking out of buildings for him to swing around and something that looked an awful lot like a pommel horse in an old town!) puts this on the worst list. Best of the Best - This movie is so cliched and sappy that you will find yourself laughing out loud at it. Eric Roberts at his best (or worst). The Last Dragon - This movie is everything bad about the 80's. The horrible acting is perfectly matched with the horrible plot. If not for Sho'Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, I'd probably vote this the worst. The Karate Kid (and its sequels) - I used to love the Karate Kid (not so much the second one and not at all the third one) when I was in my teens. However, having recently seen the first and second one again, they are not good. With the exception of Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, the acting is pedestrian and the characters are cartoony. The fights are unimpressive at best. Daniel-san is such a whiny little git that I enjoyed watching him get his ass kicked by Cobra Kai. If not for the dreaded flying crane kick that won the all-valley karate tournament, we all could have been spared two sequels. Edited February 4, 2009 by Masta Red Snappa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle-K Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 I love Iron Monkey... It's probably my overall fav... Some that haven't been mentioned yet: - Drunken Master 2 (Jackie Chan at his best) - Kung Fu Hustle (goofy fun!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Monkey Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Ong Bak - Combine the acrobatics of early Jackie Chan with the fighting of Jet Li and you get Ong Bak. Man, Ong Bak was fun, wasn't it? It isn't often that I'd say a martial arts movie is "charming," but that foot chase through the city and the funny autorickshaw chase were just that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaRedSnappa Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Man, Ong Bak was fun, wasn't it? It isn't often that I'd say a martial arts movie is "charming," but that foot chase through the city and the funny autorickshaw chase were just that. After wire-work spread like wildfire (to even Charlie's Angels!), it was refreshing to see a martial arts movie bereft of it. It just makes you appreciate the things Tony Jaa can do that much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Monkey Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 After wire-work spread like wildfire (to even Charlie's Angels!), it was refreshing to see a martial arts movie bereft of it. It just makes you appreciate the things Tony Jaa can do that much more. True dat. Double true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foogledricks Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 They Call Me Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lutter Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 My Favs... Drunken Master 2 (I'm talking the original cut: screw the happy ending! ) Police Story (I still can't believe Jackie really did that ending scene) Enter the Dragon (A Perfect Film in my mind) Hero (THE BEST Jet Li film. Hands down KICKASS and needs a proper BD release) God of Cookery (it's Martial Arts... with COOKING. My personal favorite Stephen Chow movie) "Worst"... Ong Bak (Tony Ja is amazing, however the acting/story were AWFUL ... I'm actually looking forward to Chocolate however [from the same Director]) Game of Death 2 (shouldn't even exist.) Big Trouble in Little China (I hate this movie. I don't know why. It gives me a headache. And I LOVE Carpenter/Kurt Russell too! I love The Thing & Escape from New York! Even Escape from LA! ) Mortal Kombat (even when I was a kid I thought this film was utterly retarded. MK: Annihilation was actually quite enjoyable though, IMHO!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainmaykr Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 They Call Me Bruce "First, I'll poke your eis, then, I'll pinch your nowse.." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoisonJam Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 "Worst"... ... Big Trouble in Little China ... :ban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Monkey Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 My Favs... God of Cookery (it's Martial Arts... with COOKING. My personal favorite Stephen Chow movie) "Worst"... Ong Bak (Tony Ja is amazing, however the acting/story were AWFUL ... I'm actually looking forward to Chocolate however [from the same Director]) God of Cookery sounds great; thanks for the heads up! I think it's interesting that you put Ong Bak on the worst list. I can't disagree with your complaints about acting and story, though. Still, I thought the guy who played the city cousin was hilarious and was an stand-out from the acting perspective. But you and me, Lutter? We're done professionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle-K Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 I had to go look up God of Cookery as well... Looks funny... Too bad it's not in netflix... I'll have to dig around... (perhaps Fry's, or some of the obscure asian shops near my work) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan_E Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Big Trouble in Little China is all kinds of awesome! But, back to the subject at hand, I'll add Bloodsport to the list as the only Van Dammage movie I can actually put on this list. But, it can be added to both sides of the list, IMO. Some terrible moments and some cool moments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lutter Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 LOL... I knew that putting BTiLC on my worst list would upset the forum! Sorry! I don't think God of Cookery has been released in Region 1... there's a Hong Kong release that can be picked up on DDDhouse.com here: http://www.dddhouse.com/v3/product_details.php?ProductID=479 It's not the best disc in the world (non-anamorphic widescreen, iirc) but it has english subtitles and is region-free. I can't recommend DDDhouse.com enough... I've gotten tons of stuff on their "Weekly Cheap Sale!" (incl. God of Cookery for like $4 after conversion). Fast Shipping and (strangely for Hong Kong) legit discs. They carry Blu-ray discs as well. If you like Chow also check out The King of Comedy. It's more comedy than Kung Fu but outside of that genre I'd say it's Chow's most touching film as a director. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Best: Black Belt (Kuro Obi): the only movie I've seen that portrays karate accurately Karate Kid: saw it in the theater, it's based on Shorei-kan, and written by someone from my school. Plus, "Sweep the leg!" Enter the Dragon Kung Fu Hustle Legend of Drunken Master Worst: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Love the movie, but the martial arts were pretty goofy (not in an intended way like Kung Fu Hustle) Redbelt: I love Mamet, but his elevation of MMA as the ultimate thing evar was offputting Rush Hour, 2, 3: Ugh. Karate Kid 3: Hillary Swank, bad Tae Kwan Do moonlighting as karate, dancing lessons, barf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob B Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Kun Pow Enter The Fist..... Anyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Kun Pow Enter The Fist..... Anyone You're fired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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