The AsianMoviePulse Top 100 martial arts fights countdown continues – #21-11. Featuring fights from Iron Monkey, Way of the Dragon, Tai Chi Master
20. Donnie Yen Vs Bad Monks – Iron Monkey
Regarded by many as one of the best martial art films of the 90s as well as being one of Yuen Woo Ping’s finest, this film featured not only excellent fight scenes but some of the best use of wirework (wire fu) seen. The fight with the Bad Monks is no exception. Here Donnie Yen takes on many monks using the trademark Yen Kicking techniques which have made him famous today inner played with great hand techniques to take on armed enemies. The conclusion of the fight sees a masked nun come down from the skies to ambush Yen.. but of course Mr Donnie Yen is having none of it! A true classic from the 90s!
19. Way of the Dragon – Bruce Lee Vs Chuck Norris
You see we do have some love for Bruce Lee!
After all it was Bruce who made most of this all possible. If it wasn’t for his exploits many of todays martial arts stars would never have seen the light of day. One of our favourite Bruce Lee fight scenes and maybe one of his most important is the fight with Chuck Norris.
Not only was this one of the first times we ever got to see a fight between two true international superstars of the arts but also the fight could not have taken place in a more fitting location.
The Colosseum.
The Colosseum during the Roman Empire was used to host Gladiatorial contests and for their day there was no bigger Gladiators in martial arts than Chuck Norris (former 6 time consecutive Karate world champion) and Bruce Lee (arguable the world’s most important martial artist)
18. Jet Li Vs Chin Siu Ho – Tai Chi Master
Jet Li. Mr Wushu himself, in this fight Jet Li successfully exchanges Wushu for Tai Chi and to devastating effect! Under the guidance of the great Yuen Woo Ping (who had earlier directed the Drunken Tai Chi movie with Donnie Yen), Jet Li fantastic in the lead here (alongside Michelle Yeoh), for many along with Fist of Legend this is one of Jet Li’s best films (also known as Twin Warriors).
Jet Li masterfully uses wirework to fully showcase the inner powers of Tai Chi in order to defeat his former friend (Chin Siu Ho). This film showcases wirework at its best. Just as Jackie Chan is known as the Drunken Master, Jet will forever be known as the ‘Tai Chi’ Master.
17. Pedicab Driver – End Fight
How does he do it! How does the big man move so quick! So agile, so quick so fluid with his moves. Its no surprising that Sammo Hung is regarded as one of the best scene fighters of all time. Here in Pedicab Driver we see Sammo at his best! Dishing out the punishment to multiple foes, stunning stunt work and acrobatic moves. Just as Superman had us believing that a man could fly. Sammo shows us that a big man can really move! A quick mention to the stunt team here too, some of the falls – amazing!
16. Prodigal Son – Yuen Biao Vs Frankie Chan
Yuen Biaos greatest film? This really should have been the film that kick started his international career. Prodigal Son as we already mentioned in a previous article is one of the best martial arts movies of all time. Not only because of the fighting but also due to the excellent story and of course the brilliant Wing Chun training scenes (No true kung fu movie is complete without a good training sequence!). The end fight whilst not the best fight in Prodigal son easily surpasses many fight scenes from other movies during its time. Yuen Biao never looked so good, here Yuen does not only focus on his excellent kicking techniques but instead uses the fluid close combat speed of Wing Chun.
15. Dragons Forever – End Fight (Factory)
Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao in the same film? The same fight scene? For the second time! Of course this fight is gonna be in the top 20! Crazy Stunt work, Killer Moves, great comedy, and to top it off this is Jackie Chan Vs Billy the Jet 2! This fight would have been higher on the list if it wasn’t for the doubling for Jackie Chan for some of the stunts.
14. Prodigal Son – Lam Ching Ying Vs Ninjas
The Late Great Lam Ching Ying, there was no better showcase of his talents that in Prodigal Son. Possibly the best fight scene in the Prodigal son, here we see a team of Ninjas attempt to attack and kill Lam and Yuen Biao. The timing here is some of the best I’ve ever seen in a group fight. It is Yuen who is first attacked near a empty market stall he quickly dispatches of them before they move onto their next target Lam Ching Ying. Outside of Warriors Two (also by Sammo), Lam showcases some of the best screen Wing Chun ever in order to fend off the Ninjas. As with any good screen fight the scene is so well put together that at times it seems like a well choreographed dance. Outstanding!
13. Knockabout – End Fight
Yuen Biao again, but this time he’s joined by Sammo as they attempt to take down the great Lau Kar Wing (brother of Lau Kar Wing). Yuen shows amazing flexibility in this fight and his peking opera skills are truly on showcase here with his aerial work, a very long end fight scene but worth every minute of your attention.
12. Heroes of the East – Gordon Liu Vs Yasuaki Kurata
What top 20 would be complete without the great Gordon Liu! Arguable one of Gordon’s best movies. The end fight sees Gordon ‘Iron Arms’ Liu up against Japanese Actor Yasukai Karata (later famous for his battle with Jet Li in Fist of Legend). The fight starts with a clever hidden pole fight with darts and ninja stars thrown in for good measure.
11. 8 Diagram Pole Fighters – End Fight
Gordon is back again. Just missing out on the top 10 is this great fight scene from one of the all time great martial art movies from the 80s. Gordon is back once against in the familiar Shaolin gear which originally made him famous, but this time he seeks to master the pole. Here is takes on Pan-Mei and his gang. Whilst the first half of the fight scene is great the second off is completely off the hook as with Gordon on his last legs his Shaolin buddies come in to help just in the time. This is a film where you will find some of the best pole and spear work ever put to film.
