Archive for September 2011
The Best Kung Fu Movies – Thousands to Choose From!
The Kung Fu movie genre is one of the biggest movie genres of all time. China, in particular Hong Kong have led the way and have remained the leaders for making the best kung fu movies. So what makes a classic martial arts movie? Let’s take a look.
The thing about martial arts movies is that they are timeless. Even the old ones just get better with time and gain classic status, while some of the newer movies coming out are instant classics.
The older style of movies employed less special effects such as hidden wires and CGI and depended solely on the martial arts skills of the actors. When CGI first became big, many Chinese movie makers were very quick to use it in their all of their movies at every opportunity, much to the dismay of many movie goers.
Some of the more recent kung fu movies have forgotten all about CGI and only use hidden wires very sparingly for dramatic effect. One example is the 2008 movie ‘Ip Man’ staring Donny Yen. The movie was a showcase for Chinese martial arts and demonstrated some classic story telling. Not surprisingly it received a whole host of rewards at the Hong Kong movie awards.
Everyone enjoys different types of martial arts movie but for me the best kung fu movies are the ones which are set in old China and show how life used to be in this fascinating country. The good thing is that there are just so many kung fu movies available that it would take a whole lifetime to watch.
Many are available very cheaply as well via the internet which means building up a vast library of classic martial arts movies isn’t a very expensive hobby at all. There are literally thousands and thousands to choose from.
Kung Fu Movies – More Than Just Action Flicks
People watch kung fu movies for the action and the blood. However, these movies are much more than that. They portray the struggles of those who usually try to fight for what’s right in their own mind. A lot of kung fu movies also depict the struggles of those who are trying to achieve their ultimate life goal – whether that be an ultimate champion or just the respect of their family and friends.
Kung fu movies represent the culture of a society such as Hong Kong. Although not all movies depict the true day to day life of the people of that area, it is a close resemblance to what goes on, especially in the shadier spots in Hong Kong and China overall. Martial arts is not all about the champions either, it’s also about the little guy trying to fight for what he believes in. Whether or not fighting to the death is the right way to resolve the conflict is up to the viewer to decide. However, in these movies, you have to realize that sometimes you have to take the law into your own hands in order for justice to be served.
Kung fu movies made in the United States do not always capture what the genre is all about. That’s because United States culture does not revolve around martial arts. It is not their way of life. However, it does show that Americans can successfully assimilate into this kind of lifestyle if they so choose. All it takes is a little determination and a will to succeed – just like in the movies.
Kung Fu Movies
Kung fu movies have a long history and are also increasing in popularity today. Although Hong Kong still leads the way in producing this genre, they are enjoyed worldwide and millions of people watch them every year.
Over the years there have been several different styles portrayed. There are serious kung fu movies and the very light-hearted comical versions. Both types are popular and judging by recent box office successes, filmmakers will continue to create this style of movie for years to come.
When the original kung fu movies were made there were no CGI effects and a great deal of time and skill went into the movies. Chinese movie makers were the first to see the potential that CGI gave them and enabled them to create even more amazing movies. Fans felt that this took away the core element of the movies. Many are happy that, over the last few years, the original techniques and styles are returning. The use of hidden wires is being used and that is kind of rare today.
Some of the better kung fu movies are the ones that tell a story and are often set in old China town. These capture the audience from the beginning and carry them through the movie. The amazing martial arts techniques and moves are great entertainment and fun to watch. They have a style that no other film genre can capture and this is what makes them so popular.
The best kung fu movie? That could be the subject of much debate, but movies like Hero, House of Flying Daggers and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon have only increased audience appetite for more martial arts movies. Many have been huge box office hits and have won several awards. They have also increased the popularity of great legends such as Jackie Chan. More and more people are watching these movies and enjoying them. You will find that once you begin to watch kung fu movies then you will be desperate for the sequel to come out in the cinemas.
Even Disney managed to appeal to the younger audiences with films like Kung Fu Panda. This created an interest in martial arts in the younger generation. Who knows if the film directors are producing these films to encourage more people to take up the sport or purely for ratings and awards? They will continue to make them and make them very well to encourage people to want to watch them. The skill and level of movie making is amazing and these films will continue to capture their audiences. Whether you are a fan or simply appreciate an amazing film, future productions of this genre are ones to watch and enjoy.