I voted for "Bloodsport" personally because Van Damme didn't do anything in that movie that most people coming off the street couldn't do with enough training. Not that Van Damme isn't naturally gifted, but Bruce Lee (who would have waxed his ass in a real fight) does stuff on camera that most people would never be able to do. I also thought the plot of "Bloodsport" was a lot better than any martial arts movie I've seen, with the possible exception of "Best of the Best" (which is a close #2 IMO, with "Enter the Dragon" and "Kickboxer" tied for 3rd).
My dad's Godson was in a Van Damme film, Double Impact. He's one of the babies that are in the opening scene when the Cross Harbour tunnel is opened in Hong Kong. I voted for Enter the Dragon, although I liked another Bruce Lee one where he helps a Chinese restuarant owner in Rome or somewhere.
Enter The Dragon, if only because it set the blueprint for future martial arts flicks. Bruce Lee at his best, imho.
Enter the Dragon has the single greatest martial arts scene ever, the one I always point to describe what martial arts aspires to be. It is the scene on the boat where Lee gets the blow-hard into the dinghy.
Where the hell is "The Karate Kid"?!?! Mr. Miyagi as the wise old sensei and Daniel san as the troubled young teen trying to fit into his new school. Classic, classic story. And you can't just TEACH that crane kick. You become the crane. Very key.
How am I supposed to even take this list seriously when you omit 'Gymkata'???? If anyone hasn't seen this movie and you have about 80 minutes to spare...trust me, pick it up.... it is crap-tastic!!!
"Enter the Dragon" As a bonus you can enjoy it again as it appears in "the Kentucky Fried Movie". "What was that?"
Worst. List. Ever. Off the top of my head, films that are better than 90% of that list: Wing Chun Fist of Legend Iron Monkey Once Upon A Time in China Parts I, II, and III Hero Crouching Tiger Shaolin Temple Super Cop The Swordsman New Legend of Shao Lin Tai Chi Master ....Van Damme...what nonsense...
There are only 2 Van Damme movies on the list, both of which (Bloodsport and Kickboxer) could be fairly considered classics in the genre. I'll agree that Crouching Tiger and Iron Monkey are both great flicks and shoul dbe on the list, so replace Chinese Connection with Iron Monkey...not sure where I'd fit in CTHD.
> Worst. List. Ever. I think it is perfectly valid to have different lists for western martial arts films and Hong Kong martial artis films. And don't make fun of Van Damme. He rocks.
I beg to differ. No, I bellow in shreiking difference. He neither rocks currently nor has he approached any semblance of rockage in the past. And he may be an excpetional martial artists, but that does not make his films good. He could be the Yngwie Malmsteen of martial arts. He is an overblown, self-important cartoon -- yet he doesn't even fly around. What's that all about? I definitely agree on the validity of both Western and HK films, and the differences therein, but that's not how the thread was presented.
The DOG won't eat DOG in the boat Restaurant I think if you just have a passing interest in martial arts and are not a diehard fan then Bloodsport hits the spot in terms of entertainment. It has comedy, fighting, nice panaramic scenery of Hong Kong, catchy tunes and a hot chick with frizzed out hair. One major difference from the rest of the picks is that the action is like the thread starter said before not too over the top. Also the funniest scene of all the picks is when the dog won't eat his own kind. Kind of funny where in the movies he makes himself out to be able to fight while blind, but in real life he can't even stop a telegraphed punch in the face by a half-drunk biker.
Alright. When they fly in The Matrix, it's because they're in a computer-generated simulation where the rules of physics don't apply. When they fly in Star Wars, it's because they've harnessed the Force. When they fly in that limp-wrist crap Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (worst title for a movie that received mainstream acclaim, ever), it's magic. If I hear any more bullshit about that waste of celluloid...
> And he may be an excpetional martial artists, but > that does not make his films good. Actually, the thing is he is a terrible martial artist. He didn't study anything before he started movies. However, he was and is an excelent gymnast, which is a good base from which to learn movie fighting. And I like his acting. I mean, compared to most US martial artist movie guys (like Steven Segal) he is Shakespearian.
I finally got my copy of Iron Monkey back from a loan to a friend tonight and watched it again: had forgotten how great it was. This got me into a "I need to see more flicks like that" vein, so I did some online research tonight on others to check out. I've got this prelim list of recommended films to start with. Anybody seen any of them? Bride with White Hair The Storm Riders Swordman II The Legend Hero (saw that CJ mentioned it above) Wing Chun Dance With Sword (this is supposedly a kickass new Korean film, but I can't find it on imdb) Butterfly and Sword A Chinese Ghost Story Dragon Chronicles: Maidens of Heavenly Mountain Fist of Legend (will be easy to find, I know) Tai Chi Master (aka Twin Warriors) Bodyguard From Beijing All Men Are Brothers--Blood of the Leopards Dreadnaught Swordman III: The East is Red Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain Heroes Among Heroes Last Hero From China Last Hurrah for Chivalry (early John Woo) Legend of Zu not sure where to find these...Netflix?
Looking back, I noticed that cj had actually already named a few from my list, so that's a start. One problem though, is that I refuse to watch any dubbed movie. I think I rented The Legend once, and had to turn it off right away. So the key is not only to find some of these rarer films, but to find them with English subtitles. I notice that there are plenty of Region 0 import versions of many of these available from Half.com and Amazon marketplace sellers. Do those really work in our players?