It’s about time we posted some reviews of Asian films we’ve watched recently, and there have been some real corkers in there. But because it’s been a while, and to keep the posts a little less text heavy, we’re going to post two at a time over the next few months – of course, by that time we’ll probably have a whole load more films to write about. Anyway, here goes for the first two:
THE LOST BLADESMAN
So the Romance Of The Three Kingdoms story pops up again, or at least part of it, this time with Donnie Yen playing one of the many historical heroes depicted in Luo Guanzhong’s epic novel. Thankfully, because the film only really focuses on the one character, the warrior Guan Yu, the story doesn’t feel tired and in the shape of Donnie Yen (who also served as the film’s action director) the film has a talismanic lead.
The story very much focuses on the relationship between the warrior general Guan Yu (Yen) and the scheming warlord Cao Cao (Warriors Of Heaven And Earth’s Jiang Wen), as the latter tries to persuade the former to betray his sworn brother, Liu Bei (Alex Fong), and join his side in the battle for control of the country. Throw in a spicy love story on the side between Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s concubine (Betty Sun) and you have all the ingredients for an epic, and The Lost Bladesman doesn’t fail to deliver. Some of the big battle scenes are as grand as you’ll ever see on film, although personally we’d have liked a little more invention in the fighting. Donnie Yen is as good as you’d expect, especially with a spear in his hands, although again we would have liked a few more surprises in the action scenes on show.
All in all, a solid effort and if you love Donnie Yen well worth catching.
Check out the UK trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqNXeiNHo1k
ONG BAK 3
It’s almost impossible not to come to this film without certain expectations. Tony Jaa proved to be a revelation on the martial arts scene when he launched his career with the original Ong Bak in 2003. He followed this up with my favourite of his movies, Warrior King (aka Tom Yum Goong), before deciding to give directing a go himself with the last two thirds of the Ong Bak trilogy.
Now I wasn’t totally blown away by the story and setting of Ong Bak: The Beginning, but it had enough in the way of inventive fight sequences to keep the interest from start to finish. However, Jaa’s well publicised breakdown making these two movies and the poor word of mouth on the third part of the trilogy had not exactly enthused me to rush out and see it.
The criticisms of the film have been well documented elsewhere, but rather than focus on its problems here are some of the things we liked: Jaa – he remains a charismatic actor and his martial arts skills are without question (although his acting skills fall down in places!); it has several great fight sequences – particularly at the start and the one across elephant backs towards the end; Dan Chupong – he has the most fun with his role, although his character is out of keeping with the serious tone of the rest of the story; and the ending – we thought it had quite a nice little twist at the end, which we didn’t see coming. Beyond that,
Ultimate verdict: it’s the worst of the three Ong Bak movies, but not as terrible as some have been saying and worth seeing just to finish off the Tien story.
Here’s the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X6eKWzotDI
Coming soon: PONYO, COLD FISH, DETECTIVE DEE, THE MAN FROM NOWHERE, THE FOUNDING OF A REPUBLIC, CHOY LEE FAT, IP MAN 2, 13 ASSASSINS, CITY UNDER SIEGE, CONFESSIONS, I SAW THE DEVIL
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Monday, 18 April 2011
Epic Asia’s Ones to Watch
I know we don't want to admit it, but the old guard of Donnie Yen, Jet Li, Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan will not be around forever. It's time for some youngbloods to step up and fill the action void that will be left when the above decide to hang up their kung fu boots. It's easy to say that the current crop of actors starring in Asian action cinema is seriously lacking, especially given that the film studios seem to be plumping for adorable Asian HK-pop and K-pop stars (and then making them look good at fighting with clever editing) over trained martial artists. But there are still some very talented performers out there and here’s my pick, in no particular order - these guys and gals not only can act but know how to kick ass too.
Tony Jaa
What's left to say about this guy? An amazing talent, charismatic, and also a bit of a nutter by all accounts. He burst onto the scene thanks to Ong Bak, only to impress even more in Warrior King, aka Tom Yum Goong. Ong Bak: The Beginning only underlined his talent, both infront of the camera and behind it, before the pressure to succeed seemed to get to him and, well, you know the rest... We just hope Ong Bak 3 isn’t the last we see of him, because despite flashes of his awesome talent, frankly it was a mess. Come back soon, Tony! For the clip, I just had to link to the uncut fight in the restaurant from Warrior King, not because it’s his best fight in terms of style but simply because it has to be seen to be believed in terms of execution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ditPebZ8g
Wu Jing aka Jacky Wu
First saw Wu Jing in Donnie Yen’s Kill Zone, aka SPL, and I remember thinking ‘this boy is one to watch’ – his alley fight with Donnie is probably my pick from the film. He has continued to impress, without really stepping up convincingly to be a memorable leading man (yet). Can't wait for Shaolin, especially as it’s Wushu that he excels at, which is high up on my must-see list if it (hopefully) is released in the UK later this year. For my clip I’ve picked out this ace scene from Fatal Contact.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E37PFgqKNY8&feature=related
Yanin "JeeJa" Vismistananda
Martial arts film fans have a lot to thank director Prachya Pinkaew and action choreographer Panna Rittikrai for: firstly for introducing the world to Tony Jaa and secondly for discovering the incredible, beautiful and deadly JeeJa Yanin. She’s only been in two films to date, Chocolate and Raging Phoenix, but she’s clearly a prodigious talent and skilled at both Tae Kwon Do and Muay Thai. Here’s the trailer to her new film, Jak-Ka-Len, an action-comedy by the looks of it, but she will be back to her ass-kicking best soon in Chocolate 2 and plays a supporting role in The Kick, also directed by Prachya Pinkaew.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8PWjyvW85k
Andy On
Another one to watch in HK cinema, although he was actually born in the US. I remember watching New Police Story and being impressed by his skills (as showcased in my choice of clip) before I caught his badass role in Fatal Contact (his final fight versus Wu Jing is well worth checking on YouTube).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys-Og55VCM4
Dennis To, aka Yu-Hang To
I’ve not seen much of his work tbh, beyond the Ip Man films, particularly the prequel (sort of) The Legend Is Born: Ip Man, in which he played the title role, but he looks like he’s got some skills. Whether he has the star power to really carry a film remains to be seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-3I5XzEZpo&feature=related
Rina Takeda
Who? Unless you caught High Kick Girl at the Terracotta Far East Film Festival a couple of years back, that’s a fair question. The film was only so-so, but given the right vehicle Rina could well be a star and with a black belt in Ryukyu Shorin-ryu Karate she knows how to throw a kick too. Her latest film, Karate Girl, natch, will showcase at this year’s Terracotta Festival, and I will definitely be queuing up to get a ticket. Here’s the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDNMkXIphk8&feature=related
Jon Foo
Another in the ‘who?’ file, unless you’re a big fan of video game-movie conversions, in which case you will know that Foo starred as Jin Kazama in the recent Tekken film. OK, not a great film, but he came across well and his Wushu was good. You might also recognise him as the kung fu fighter from Warrior King. And it’s good to champion someone who was born in the UK too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIfLs63iPLM&feature=related
Dan Chupong
Other than Tony Jaa, which other Muay Thai-trained actor has been in all three Ong Bak movies? Well, the clue was in the title to this entry: Dan Chupong. He arguably doesn’t have the same raw talent as Tony, but anybody who can kick ass wearing heavy mascara and still look cool is OK in my book. Tried to find some awesome clips from the highly underrated Born To Kill, but couldn’t so you will have to make do with this clip from Ong Bak 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmHXYAsZNdM&feature=related
Iko Uwais
I’d never heard of this fella until relatively recently when I watched Merantau at a mate’s place and have to say I was impressed. I’ve not seen much of the martial art he’s skilled in, the Indonesian Pencak Silat, but what I’ve seen so far definitely makes me want to see more. Fortunately, he’s got a new film, The Raid, due for release in 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO6hmq-PbKE
Daniel O’Neill
OK, this is a total long shot as I can honestly say I’ve not seen any films in his acting repertoire (although as a former stuntman I’ve probably seen him in something without knowing it). But while researching this blog entry, I came across this clip from Bangkok Adrenaline and he looks pretty good. He’s skilled in Tae Kwon Do and acrobatics – check out that final kick! I might have to rent this to see more…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf7wM1L4Y7g&feature=related
Tony Jaa
What's left to say about this guy? An amazing talent, charismatic, and also a bit of a nutter by all accounts. He burst onto the scene thanks to Ong Bak, only to impress even more in Warrior King, aka Tom Yum Goong. Ong Bak: The Beginning only underlined his talent, both infront of the camera and behind it, before the pressure to succeed seemed to get to him and, well, you know the rest... We just hope Ong Bak 3 isn’t the last we see of him, because despite flashes of his awesome talent, frankly it was a mess. Come back soon, Tony! For the clip, I just had to link to the uncut fight in the restaurant from Warrior King, not because it’s his best fight in terms of style but simply because it has to be seen to be believed in terms of execution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ditPebZ8g
Wu Jing aka Jacky Wu
First saw Wu Jing in Donnie Yen’s Kill Zone, aka SPL, and I remember thinking ‘this boy is one to watch’ – his alley fight with Donnie is probably my pick from the film. He has continued to impress, without really stepping up convincingly to be a memorable leading man (yet). Can't wait for Shaolin, especially as it’s Wushu that he excels at, which is high up on my must-see list if it (hopefully) is released in the UK later this year. For my clip I’ve picked out this ace scene from Fatal Contact.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E37PFgqKNY8&feature=related
Yanin "JeeJa" Vismistananda
Martial arts film fans have a lot to thank director Prachya Pinkaew and action choreographer Panna Rittikrai for: firstly for introducing the world to Tony Jaa and secondly for discovering the incredible, beautiful and deadly JeeJa Yanin. She’s only been in two films to date, Chocolate and Raging Phoenix, but she’s clearly a prodigious talent and skilled at both Tae Kwon Do and Muay Thai. Here’s the trailer to her new film, Jak-Ka-Len, an action-comedy by the looks of it, but she will be back to her ass-kicking best soon in Chocolate 2 and plays a supporting role in The Kick, also directed by Prachya Pinkaew.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8PWjyvW85k
Andy On
Another one to watch in HK cinema, although he was actually born in the US. I remember watching New Police Story and being impressed by his skills (as showcased in my choice of clip) before I caught his badass role in Fatal Contact (his final fight versus Wu Jing is well worth checking on YouTube).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys-Og55VCM4
Dennis To, aka Yu-Hang To
I’ve not seen much of his work tbh, beyond the Ip Man films, particularly the prequel (sort of) The Legend Is Born: Ip Man, in which he played the title role, but he looks like he’s got some skills. Whether he has the star power to really carry a film remains to be seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-3I5XzEZpo&feature=related
Rina Takeda
Who? Unless you caught High Kick Girl at the Terracotta Far East Film Festival a couple of years back, that’s a fair question. The film was only so-so, but given the right vehicle Rina could well be a star and with a black belt in Ryukyu Shorin-ryu Karate she knows how to throw a kick too. Her latest film, Karate Girl, natch, will showcase at this year’s Terracotta Festival, and I will definitely be queuing up to get a ticket. Here’s the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDNMkXIphk8&feature=related
Jon Foo
Another in the ‘who?’ file, unless you’re a big fan of video game-movie conversions, in which case you will know that Foo starred as Jin Kazama in the recent Tekken film. OK, not a great film, but he came across well and his Wushu was good. You might also recognise him as the kung fu fighter from Warrior King. And it’s good to champion someone who was born in the UK too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIfLs63iPLM&feature=related
Dan Chupong
Other than Tony Jaa, which other Muay Thai-trained actor has been in all three Ong Bak movies? Well, the clue was in the title to this entry: Dan Chupong. He arguably doesn’t have the same raw talent as Tony, but anybody who can kick ass wearing heavy mascara and still look cool is OK in my book. Tried to find some awesome clips from the highly underrated Born To Kill, but couldn’t so you will have to make do with this clip from Ong Bak 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmHXYAsZNdM&feature=related
Iko Uwais
I’d never heard of this fella until relatively recently when I watched Merantau at a mate’s place and have to say I was impressed. I’ve not seen much of the martial art he’s skilled in, the Indonesian Pencak Silat, but what I’ve seen so far definitely makes me want to see more. Fortunately, he’s got a new film, The Raid, due for release in 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO6hmq-PbKE
Daniel O’Neill
OK, this is a total long shot as I can honestly say I’ve not seen any films in his acting repertoire (although as a former stuntman I’ve probably seen him in something without knowing it). But while researching this blog entry, I came across this clip from Bangkok Adrenaline and he looks pretty good. He’s skilled in Tae Kwon Do and acrobatics – check out that final kick! I might have to rent this to see more…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf7wM1L4Y7g&feature=related
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Top forthcoming Asian epics for the year ahead and beyond
A bit late in posting this, but here are some epic Asian films I’m really looking forward to (in alphabetical order). Not sure if all of these are coming out this year in the UK (first five are for sure), but fingers crossed…
Blades Of Blood
I don’t really know the comic book material this is based on and I missed its screening at the London Korean Film Festival, but I like the look of it from the trailer. A Bittersweet Life’s Hwang Jung-Min as a grumpy blind swordsman, Zatoichi style, looks inspired.
Here’s the Korean trailer out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JljVW-R6xpE
Clash Of Empires
Or what happened when two great empires, the Romans and the Chinese, met? Based loosely on a 16th century historical document entitled ‘The Malay Annals’, this action-packed epic features dazzling visual effects and tremendous battle sequences.
Trailer coming soon…
Confessions Of A Dog
Love Japanese Yakuza films and Gen Takahashi’s three-hour epic about the most dangerous gang on the streets – the Japanese police – looks like a cracker. The film was banned in Japan, which just makes me want to see it more.
Here’s the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsFy_BzAzok&feature=player_embedded
I Saw The Devil
Caught this at the London Korean Film Festival and it was every bit as good, violent and controversial as all the good (and bad!) press round its homeland release made out. From the director of The Good, The Bad, The Weird, A Bittersweet Life and A Tale Of Two Sisters, Ji-woon Kim’s film stars Oldboy’s Min-sik Choi as a vicious serial killer who stops being the hunter and becomes the hunted, when Byung-hun Lee’s special agent takes an interest in his malevolent hobby.
Check it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCFVoPdfL30&feature=related
Ip Man 2
If you enjoyed the first film, you probably can’t wait for the release of the second instalment of Donnie Yen’s biopic of the master martial artist who mentored Bruce Lee. The legend that is Sammo Hung also choreographed the fight sequences, as well as starred in the movie, if you need any further persuading. While you wait for this release, you can always pick up the prequel, The Legend Is Born – Ip Man, which was released on DVD last year – it even stars Sammo, the ever brilliant Yuen Biao and the real Ip Man’s son, the very sprightly OAP Ip Chun.
Trailer goodness here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHAh36XUDrA&feature=related
Monkey King
Anything Jet can do, Donnie can do better(?). Donnie Yen takes on this retelling of the Monkey King legend, although I’d be surprised if this makes it to our screens this year (so one to book in for 2012). The blurb reckons this new film will portray the Monkey fable as never seen before – just so long as he rides around on a little pink cotton wool cloud!
Trailer coming soon (hopefully!).
Shaolin
Apparently a remake of Jet Li’s debut film, The Shaolin Temple (although you wouldn’t know from the trailer), this stars Andy Lau (always watchable, The Warlords) and Wu Jing (aka Jacky Wu, Kill Zone, aka SPL), who’s the most promising young action star in Chinese cinema, in my humble opinion. Jackie Chan also makes a cameo apparently, although hopefully he’s in it a little longer than the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance in the trailer.
Trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19l_Euggo5A&feature=related
Wu Xia (Swordsmen)
Got to say this remake/reinvention/reimaging/re-whatever of the classic One Armed Swordsman probably has me the most excited. Not only does it star Donnie Yen (Legend Of The Fist, Ip Man) and Takeshi Kaneshiro (House Of Flying Daggers, Red Cliff), but it’s also directed by The Warlords’ Peter Chan. Simply can’t wait!
Trailer coming soon.
Blades Of Blood
I don’t really know the comic book material this is based on and I missed its screening at the London Korean Film Festival, but I like the look of it from the trailer. A Bittersweet Life’s Hwang Jung-Min as a grumpy blind swordsman, Zatoichi style, looks inspired.
Here’s the Korean trailer out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JljVW-R6xpE
Clash Of Empires
Or what happened when two great empires, the Romans and the Chinese, met? Based loosely on a 16th century historical document entitled ‘The Malay Annals’, this action-packed epic features dazzling visual effects and tremendous battle sequences.
Trailer coming soon…
Confessions Of A Dog
Love Japanese Yakuza films and Gen Takahashi’s three-hour epic about the most dangerous gang on the streets – the Japanese police – looks like a cracker. The film was banned in Japan, which just makes me want to see it more.
Here’s the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsFy_BzAzok&feature=player_embedded
I Saw The Devil
Caught this at the London Korean Film Festival and it was every bit as good, violent and controversial as all the good (and bad!) press round its homeland release made out. From the director of The Good, The Bad, The Weird, A Bittersweet Life and A Tale Of Two Sisters, Ji-woon Kim’s film stars Oldboy’s Min-sik Choi as a vicious serial killer who stops being the hunter and becomes the hunted, when Byung-hun Lee’s special agent takes an interest in his malevolent hobby.
Check it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCFVoPdfL30&feature=related
Ip Man 2
If you enjoyed the first film, you probably can’t wait for the release of the second instalment of Donnie Yen’s biopic of the master martial artist who mentored Bruce Lee. The legend that is Sammo Hung also choreographed the fight sequences, as well as starred in the movie, if you need any further persuading. While you wait for this release, you can always pick up the prequel, The Legend Is Born – Ip Man, which was released on DVD last year – it even stars Sammo, the ever brilliant Yuen Biao and the real Ip Man’s son, the very sprightly OAP Ip Chun.
Trailer goodness here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHAh36XUDrA&feature=related
Monkey King
Anything Jet can do, Donnie can do better(?). Donnie Yen takes on this retelling of the Monkey King legend, although I’d be surprised if this makes it to our screens this year (so one to book in for 2012). The blurb reckons this new film will portray the Monkey fable as never seen before – just so long as he rides around on a little pink cotton wool cloud!
Trailer coming soon (hopefully!).
Shaolin
Apparently a remake of Jet Li’s debut film, The Shaolin Temple (although you wouldn’t know from the trailer), this stars Andy Lau (always watchable, The Warlords) and Wu Jing (aka Jacky Wu, Kill Zone, aka SPL), who’s the most promising young action star in Chinese cinema, in my humble opinion. Jackie Chan also makes a cameo apparently, although hopefully he’s in it a little longer than the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance in the trailer.
Trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19l_Euggo5A&feature=related
Wu Xia (Swordsmen)
Got to say this remake/reinvention/reimaging/re-whatever of the classic One Armed Swordsman probably has me the most excited. Not only does it star Donnie Yen (Legend Of The Fist, Ip Man) and Takeshi Kaneshiro (House Of Flying Daggers, Red Cliff), but it’s also directed by The Warlords’ Peter Chan. Simply can’t wait!
Trailer coming soon.
Friday, 28 January 2011
TOP FIVE EPIC ASIAN FILMS OF 2010
OK, so I know I’m a little late in posting this, given that we’re already well into 2011, but here are my five favourite picks of epic Asian films (not just martial arts films) in 2010. In no particular order:
True Legend
Directed by the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping (fight choreographer for The Matrix, Kill Bill and Fist Of Legend) and starring Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and Vincent Zhao (Once Upon A Time In China V and IV), this all-action epic is about a retired Chinese general who’s brought back into action when his nefarious brother kidnaps his son and leaves him for dead. OK, so there's some CG stuff in there, but the fight scenes are breathless.
Check out the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmDi-h0FuHw
Tai-Chi Master
OK, so not a new film (this actually dates from 1993) but this received an all-singing, all-dancing DVD release in 2010, so gets the nod. Jet Li (Hero, The Warlords) and Michelle Yeoh are on fire as Shaolin temple orphans who kick everyone’s asses in another Woo-Ping directed martial arts epic.
Here's the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8wV7dCifLE
Goemon
So something of a Marmite film – you either love it or hate it – this stylish Japanese epic is set in feudal Japan and follows the exploits of a Robin Hood type who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Even if the leisurely pace is not to your liking, the incredible visual effects can’t fail to astonish.
In case you missed it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZRYAnaOlBo
14 Blades
One for Donnie Yen fans. This traditional foray into martial arts showcases Yen’s (Hero, Legend Of The Fist) incredible and varied fighting styles. There’s a little over dependence on CGI, but otherwise well worth checking out.
Trailer's here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCgU9I1GLU
Mulan
Definitely not the Disney animated version, co-directors Jingle Ma and Wei Dong’s epic is a fantastic live action adaptation of the Chinese legend. Vicki Zhao (Red Cliff) and Jaycee Chan, son of international superstar Jackie Chan, star in this story of a young woman who disguises herself as a male soldier to defend her country against barbarian hordes.
And here's the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzNZCgH2f6M
Coming soon (promise!), our picks for 2011...
OK, so I know I’m a little late in posting this, given that we’re already well into 2011, but here are my five favourite picks of epic Asian films (not just martial arts films) in 2010. In no particular order:
True Legend
Directed by the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping (fight choreographer for The Matrix, Kill Bill and Fist Of Legend) and starring Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and Vincent Zhao (Once Upon A Time In China V and IV), this all-action epic is about a retired Chinese general who’s brought back into action when his nefarious brother kidnaps his son and leaves him for dead. OK, so there's some CG stuff in there, but the fight scenes are breathless.
Check out the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmDi-h0FuHw
Tai-Chi Master
OK, so not a new film (this actually dates from 1993) but this received an all-singing, all-dancing DVD release in 2010, so gets the nod. Jet Li (Hero, The Warlords) and Michelle Yeoh are on fire as Shaolin temple orphans who kick everyone’s asses in another Woo-Ping directed martial arts epic.
Here's the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8wV7dCifLE
Goemon
So something of a Marmite film – you either love it or hate it – this stylish Japanese epic is set in feudal Japan and follows the exploits of a Robin Hood type who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Even if the leisurely pace is not to your liking, the incredible visual effects can’t fail to astonish.
In case you missed it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZRYAnaOlBo
14 Blades
One for Donnie Yen fans. This traditional foray into martial arts showcases Yen’s (Hero, Legend Of The Fist) incredible and varied fighting styles. There’s a little over dependence on CGI, but otherwise well worth checking out.
Trailer's here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCgU9I1GLU
Mulan
Definitely not the Disney animated version, co-directors Jingle Ma and Wei Dong’s epic is a fantastic live action adaptation of the Chinese legend. Vicki Zhao (Red Cliff) and Jaycee Chan, son of international superstar Jackie Chan, star in this story of a young woman who disguises herself as a male soldier to defend her country against barbarian hordes.
And here's the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzNZCgH2f6M
Coming soon (promise!), our picks for 2011...
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Ninja Weapons
An epic Asian movie becomes even more epic if it involves everyone’s favourite black-masked film assassins: ninjas. As well as being specialists in the art of Ninjutsu, these virulent killers also come armed to the teeth. But what should every self-respecting ninja keep attached to their utility belt? Read on to find out…
Swords
While films often portray ninjas with short swords, known as ninjatos, this has no historical precedence. In fact, it’s more likely that they used a longer sword similar to that of the samurai, known as a Katana. Swords weren’t just used by the ninjas for fighting either: ninjas often tied cord to the sword’s scabbard (aka tsuba) so that when used vertically as a step to scale high walls, they could rescue the tsuba with a simple tug of the cord. Ingenious!
Equally tricksy, ninjas often filled their tsuba with a mix of powders so that when the sword was quickly drawn the powders would disperse and potentially blind their opponent for a brief moment, giving the ninja the upper hand immediately.
Thrown weapons
While ninjas used an array of thrown weapons, from feather tipped darts to small knives, the most famous of these was the shuriken, a star-shaped bladed disc that will always land a school boy in detention if they try to make them in Metal Work at school.
Bows
The samurai longbow, aka yumi, was too unwieldy for ninjas, so they used scaled down versions which has less range but could be just as deadly accurate.
Other weapons
Ninjas are a resourceful lot and will select the weapon which best suits the job in hand. As well as the above, ninjas have been known to use: a chain and sickle combo (known as a kusarigama), a sickle on its own (kama), a pair of short pronged daggers (sais), Wolverine-style claws (tekagi) and various other deadly weapons.
On top of this, they often carry poison bottles, darts to dip in the poison and shoot through blowguns, caltrops (a small multi-spiked weapon that is dropped on the floor and works a little like a piece of Lego when trod on with a bare foot), various explosives, various flash powders and irritants to blind opponents, a rope and grappling hook.
However, despite all the weaponry listed above, always keep in mind what the holy book of the ninja, the Bansenshukai, states: “A successful ninja is one who uses but one tool for multiple tasks…”
The bottom line is: don’t mess with a ninja.
Top 5 Epic Screen Fights
Here is our pick of the best one-versus-one martial arts battles ever caught on celluloid, in date order. We’d love to hear what you think and also what fights you’d pick:
Bruce Lee vs Chuck Norris (Way Of The Dragon, 1972, dir. Bruce Lee)
Martial arts icon Bruce Lee had many memorable screen fights in his short film career but this one against the future Texas Ranger is head and shoulders the best one-on-one battle. Lee shows off all his Jeet Kune Do skills, while Norris displays the talent that earned him six Professional Middleweight Karate Championships in a row, all filmed in the majestic surroundings of the Colosseum in Rome. It may not be as slick as some of the other fights in this list, but it is a classic and set the style for many screen fights that would follow.
Check it out:
On YouTube
Way Of The Dragon at IMDb
Jackie Chan vs Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez (Wheels On Meals, 1984, dir. Sammo Hung)
Probably the most lively and playful fight in this list, but there’s no mistaking the amazing skill on show. Although Chan will always be known for popularising the Drunken Master style, he was probably at his peak in terms of fighting prowess in this action comedy set in Spain. Here he comes face to face with legend Benny The Jet (you probably know him best as the assassin sent to kill John Cusack in Grosse Point Blank) and frankly is getting seven bells kicked out of him, until he decides to turn the climactic fight into a sparring match. And while this is going on, the other two thirds of the holy Jackie Chan-Sammo Hung-Yuen Biao martial arts triumvirate are pitched in amazing battles of their own.
Check it out:
On YouTube
Wheels On Meals at IMDb
Jet Li vs Billy Chow (Fist Of Legend, 1994, dir. Gordon Chan)
So we could have gone for Jet versus Donnie Yen in Once Upon A Time In China 2, but our pick of Jet Li’s fights is this one, which was also orchestrated by legendary action choreographer Yuen Woo Ping (The Matrix, Kill Bill). So there are no poles, but it’s easily the most brutal fight in this list, as Li, playing real Chinese hero, Chen Zhen, comes face to face with a long legged Japanese colonel, played by the Canadian born Billy Chow – this fight looks like it really hurt. While this is Li’s take on Chen Zhen’s story, the exploits of the martial arts legend were originally portrayed on screen by Bruce Lee in Fist Of Fury, and it has recently been given a modern twist by Donnie Yen in the forthcoming Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen.
Check it out:
On YouTube
Fist Of Legend at IMDb
Michelle Yeoh vs Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2000, dir. Ang Lee)
While boys primarily rule the roost in martial arts action films, Michelle Yeoh has proved that whatever the boys can do, girls can do too. While watching this incredible, balletic multiple weapons fight in Ang Lee’s masterful epic, it’s worth remembering that Yeoh, despite her many years in martial arts films, and her young co-star Zhang Ziyi, never had any formal martial arts training, instead relying on their impeccable dance skills and the ever inventive talent of action choreographer Yuen Woo Ping. Amazing stuff.
Check it out:
On YouTube
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon at IMDb
Donnie Yen vs Wu Jing (Kill Zone, 2005, dir. Wilson Yip)
Although this movie is a gritty crime drama, there’s still room for Donnie Yen to show why he’s the best martial arts superstar currently working in film today. Shot in the enclosed environs of a tight alleyway, Yen brings the pain to rising martial arts star Wu Jing in this absurdly quick paced knife vs baton fight. Choreographed by Yen himself, there are apparently no camera tricks or wires used and although Yen is better known for his famous pole work, his use of the baton here makes this one of the best fight scenes ever.
Check it out:
On YouTube
Kill Zone at IMDb
So that’s what we think, but what would you pick? Post and let us know...
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