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Guide Picks - Ten Most Influential Martial Arts Movies |
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These movies are notable not just for great martial arts stories, but because
of the impact they had on viewers and on the film industry. Did you start
training in the martial arts because of Daniel-san and Mr. Miyagi? Or because
of Bruce Lee?
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1) "Enter
the Dragon"
The one that started it all. Bruce Lee stars as the Asian James Bond, traveling
to a remote island to kick some legendary butt. The standard by
which all others are judged.
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2) "Crouching
Tiger Hidden Dragon"
Beautiful. This movie blew critics' minds--that you could have romance,
a compelling story, and incredible cinematography, costuming, and locations
in a martial arts movie. Raised the bar for all the others to follow.
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3) "Seven
Samurai"
One of the greatest movies of all time, period. The inspiration for "The
Magnificent Seven," "Battle Beyond the Stars," and a host
of admiring copycats. What, you don't have this in your collection already?
Shame on you!
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4) "The
Karate Kid"
How many kids got into the martial arts because of Daniel-san and Mr. Miyagi?
When you wash your car, does "Wax on, wax off" echo in your head?
Are you embarassed about those high school photos of you in that silly kamikaze
headband? Blame this movie.
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5) "Billy
Jack"
Billy Jack is a half-Native American, half-white martial artist who spreads
his message of peace by beating up the mean rednecks that persecute the
local pacifists. Hapkido fight sequences courtesy of Grandmaster Bong Soo
Han. "Billy Jack" taught a generation of 70's kids to love peace--and
the martial arts.
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6) "Five
Fingers of Death"
This was one of the first Shaw Brothers movies to get theatrical release
in the U.S., launching the 1970's karate craze. Remember Count Dante? When
Billy "Tae Bo" Blanks was a point-sparring competitor? Ah, those
were the days. Gory flick.
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7) "The
Matrix"
So what if Keanu Reeves doesn't make a convincing martial artist ("Dude!
I know kung fu!"). This movie has paved the way for other great Yuen
Woo Ping films to make it big in the theaters, like "Iron Monkey".
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8) "Rumble
in the Bronx"
Jackie Chan's first big U.S. movie plunks him down in the middle of the
Bronx (which oddly looks a lot like Vancouver, B.C.). Tons of fun, especially
the long fight sequence against the "gang members" (who oddly
look like the cast of Fame). While not the best Chan
movie, it introduced Jackie to a legion of new fans.
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9) "Enter
the Ninja"
Lame attempt at flashback to the 80's haiku: Duran Duran video on the TV
screen. Skinny tie around your neck. And ninjas in every shadow. Whatever
happened to Sho Kosugi, anyway?
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10) "Good
Guys Wear Black"
Chuck Norris' breakout film (no pun intended) had an amazing shot of Chuck
kicking the driver of a speeding automobile through the windshield. The
rest of this 1978 movie wasn't as great as that scene, but for nostalgic
martial arts movie fans, this is great fun. This movie launched Chuck's
career, and paved the way for the other Hollywood martial artists (Van Damme,
Seagal) to follow.
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