TOP MARTIAL ARTS SCENES LIST
Another list, this time for the martial arts fans out there. The best biffs for biff buffs. This list is not exclusively about the martial arts genre, as it includes wider action scenes, but for the most part its about quality combat scene-making.
I'm not impressed with muscle flexing, tricky editing or once-off spectacular moves. I am interested in combat technique, thoughtful choreography and the testing of fighting styles. A well crafted fight scene is a story in itself: with its own rhythm, characters, creativity and emotional turns. Key features also include the display of the stunt work, the performers' personal expression, the falls, the feints, and the many nuances which usually only trained fighters notice. The production too is crucial — many great action scenes are ruined by incompetent directing or composition (I hope to have time to write a separate article on the features of a well directed action scene). And, as for being "realistic", it doesn't matter if they use wires — what matters is if the fighter's skills are being displayed or not; those are real.
That said, here are my favourite fight scenes lists. There are 4 lists in total:
Top 10 “One v One, Hand-to-Hand”
Top 5: “One v One, With Weapons”
Top 5: “One v Many, Hand-to-Hand”
Top 5: “One v Many, With Weapons"
Each entry includes only one scene per film, but of course, these movies have multiple good fights in them. If you've got a contender you think should knock one off this list (with consideration to the above criteria) I'd love to hear about it.
List Legend:
First list fights are primarily “hand-to-hand”, but may have weapons at some point
Youtube links provided, apologies if they don't work
TOP 10 MARTIAL ARTS SCENES — ONE-ON-ONE, HAND-TO-HAND
1. JACKIE CHAN v BENNY URQUIDEZ in WHEELS ON MEALS
Still the greatest filmed fight in my opinion, from my two favourite action stars. Benny is a real life kickboxing and martial arts legend. Any scene in any movie with these two in it is pure poetry + adrenalin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI2dzMEzX2w
2. JET LI v KURATA YASUAKI in FIST OF LEGEND
In a film full of talent, this scene is a class act, with great styles, showmanship and character. The other major one-on-ones are equally impressive. Truly brilliant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn13ts-rWiw
3. DONNIE YEN v COLLIN CHOU in FLASH POINT
Plenty of styles and thoughtful choreo in a tense and breathtaking showdown of skills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buITXcldEcY
4. TONY JAA v MARRESE CRUMP in THE PROTECTOR 2
Insanely good skills, styles, performances and drama. Close to what I'd rate as next level stuff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmOV2etuW0c
5. JACKIE CHAN v BRADLEY ALLAN in GORGEOUS
Probably the least known and most underrated Chan fight, this scene (and their other fight, earlier in the film) is awesome in every way. Blindingly fast, great skills, and a show of sportsmanship to boot. Could have done without the ballet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eam86ETcKZ4
6. JET LI V ANGRY GUY in FEARLESS
It's great to see good tempo choreo (not Hollywood's one-sided nonsense), combining with well considered shots and relatively unobtrusive editing (not Hollywood's cheap shot-cutting).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10E3qjthN3M
7. COLLIN CHOU v KEANU REEVES in THE MATRIX RELOADED
Thanks to Hong Kong's Yuen Wo Ping – IMO the best action choreographer ever — working his magic, this scene even makes Reeves look like a master. Almost. Equally so are the other Matrix scenes when Neo matches against Morpheous and Agent Smith, superb filmmaking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRvxzdkj_YI
8. BRUCE LEE v CHUCK NORRIS in WAY OF THE DRAGON
A masterpeice of filmmaking and fight choreo, this scene is loaded with brilliance. The scene's only blemish is the totally unnecessarily murder at the end. Bad Bruce.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYHZEu7Y7DU
9. JACKIE CHAN v KEN LO in DRUNKEN MASTER II
Athleticism, style, character and comedy like only Chan knows how.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEt4B1poOfM
10 . DONNIE YEN v RIVAL SENSEI in IP MAN
A friendly match with awesome skills. This is a lesson in how much charm can you fit into a fight scene, without compromising intensity. The whole film has this quality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y04SKwZNjME
NOTABLE MISSES:
JACKIE CHAN v MASTER KIM in THE YOUNG MASTER
One of the longest fights scenes on film, and one of the coolest. Could use a little more dubbing though (jooooooke).
ROBERT DOWNIE JR v UNDERGROUND SLUGGER in SHERLOCK HOLMES
This is what happens when great choreo DOES get a good director to the show. Editing is still a bit much.
TONY JAA v LATEEF CROWDER in THE PROTECTOR
I've always wanted to see capoeira offensives explored, and this scene has tremendous athleticism, and matches the styles well. The film also has a Chan-like chase with many baddies which is insane.
JACKIE CHAN v JET LI in THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
Legends in what could have been even better, but was excellent nonetheless.
BRUCE LEE v KAREEEM ABDUL JABBAR in GAME OF DEATH
Again, a heartless ending, but a real spectacle to watch a 5 foot 7 Bruce versus a 7 foot 2 Kareem!
PO v TAI LUNG in KUNG FU PANDA
Awesomeness. A cut above usual animated biffs.
STALLON v LUNDGREN in ROCKY 4
This fight is full of intensity and great drama.
DANIEL v JOHNNY in KARATE KID
Pretty solid execution by the young actors in this scene, and of course, one of the best build ups in movie history!
TOP 5 MARTIAL ARTS SCENES — ONE-ON-ONE, WEAPONS
1. JET LI v SHIDO NAKAMURA in FEARLESS
2. DONNIE YEN v JING WU in SPL
3. ZIYI ZHANG v MICHELLE YEOH in CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON
4. MATT DAMON v ASSASSIN in THE BOURNE IDENTITY
5. JACKIE CHAN v DOJO GUY in DRUNKEN MASTER
NOTABLE MISSES:
JET LI v WHITE SWORD GUY in UNLEASHED
EWAN MAGREGOR v HAYDEN CHRISTIANSEN in STAR WARS 3
SPANIARD v MASKED MAN in THE PRINCESS BRIDE
DONNIE YEN v JET LI in HERO
BALE v END BAD GUY in EQUILIBRIUM
TOP 5 MARTIAL ARTS SCENES — ONE AGAINST MANY, HAND-TO-HAND
1. DONNIE YEN v JAPANESE FIGHTERS in IP MAN
2. TONY JAA v THAI ASSASSINS in ONG BAK 2
3. CYRIL RAFFAELLI v GUARDS in DISTRICT 13 ULTIMATUM
4. JACKIE CHAN v TWO CRIMS in WHO AM I
5. JACKIE CHAN v PUNKS in RUMBLE IN THE BRONX
NOTABLE MISSES:
JACKIE CHAN v THUGS in PROJECT A, PART II
JET LI v JAPANESE DOJO in LEGEND OF THE FIST
SHANE v BARROOM in SHANE
TOP 5 MARTIAL ARTS SCENES — ONE AGAINST MANY, WITH WEAPONS
1. OH-DAE SU v BIG GANG in OLDBOY
2. UMA THURMAN v CRAZY 88s in KILL BILL
3. ERROL FLYNN v ROYAL GUARD in THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD
4. SHREDDER v THE TURTLES in TMNT
5. CHOU YUN FAT v OUTLAWS in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON
One parting jab... While I love action, combat, skills, artistry and the competitiveness of "fighting", on the other hand, I hate violence. Violence is the malicious, unlawful actions and words intended to harm, injure and kill others. Unfortunately in our current world, filmmakers tend to take the excellent and innocent aspects of combat – which could simply be physical or competitive disciplines – and use it to glorify the dark sides of our fallen nature. Bruce Lee, a master of both martial arts and theatrical performance, polarises me internally, as his characters are often guilty of killing defeated opponents completely unnecessarily. (And allegedly, this was often Bruce's idea. Anyone who is familiar with the events in his early life which provoked him to learn martial arts, would understand where that kind of attitude comes from). To me, meaningfulness matters, as it directly affects my enjoyment and investment in the action taking place. Thus he features less on my list than if it were only about displaying his skills. Yes, yes, fighting is war and war has no rules, I've heard the rhetoric. We don't have to promote it by sanctifying killers instead of fighters.