Their love of the martial arts made them famous. Some of their story plots may be forgettable, but they’ll always garner rave reviews for their kung fu skills
Martial arts movie actors are a truly different breed and their international appeal is obvious.
They make it seem so simple with their athletic moves and effortless take on baddies without even breaking a sweat. Their epic fight scenes are choreographed down to the last second, gripping viewers with their acrobatic grace and fearless kick-ass combats on the big screen. But at the foundation of these exhilarating action scenes lie tremendous skill and training on the part of these actors.
Here, we take a look back at four of the most significant martial arts stars of our time. Drum roll please...
Donnie Yen Chi-tan
Background: Before the critically-acclaimed Ip Man films swept the box-offices, did you know much about Donnie Yen? The actor, who started out as a stuntman, often played in the shadow of established stars in big-budget movies. But until recently, "he had never tasted what it meant to be a superstar," he said in an interview with The New York Times in 2009.
Some knew him as an martial arts actor from his breakthrough role in Once Upon a Time in China (1992) where he shared a dramatic fight scene with his co-star, Jet Li, and some knew him as an action choreographer who arranged numerous fight scenes in Hong Kong films by renowned directors - including Wilson Yip's Flash Point (2007), in which he starred as the lead character, producer and action choreographer, and he won Best Action Choreography at the Golden Horse Film Awards - but few remembered his full name, and let alone his works
That is, until Ip Man came along and changed all of that.
Best-known role:Ip Man (2008); Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster (2010)
Fight quotient: Breathtaking. Unquestionably, Donnie Yen has become the leading man to watch. With a set of Impressive martial arts skills, good looks and a cool demeanour, clearly, Donnie Yen has become Hong Kong's top action star and the leading man to watch. In a media report, renowned Hong Kong director Peter Chan mentioned that he "is the 'it' action person right now" and "has built himself into a bona fide leading man, who happens to be an action star." Indeed, the next Chinese martial arts hero has arrived.
Started to loveeee him since like from some random movies during my free time watching the teevee. He's super manly, macho, charming, a great fighter ! To die forrrrrrrrrrrr. All his somersaults, i totally love it. Although i missed the movie IP Man, there's another movie called Bodyguards and Assassins. Oh my paper, love itttttttttttttttttt. Fighting only with one hand. Hahahahahaha weeeeeeee <3>
Jet Li
Background: Over the last 25 years, Jet Li has established himself as one of the fastest and most graceful fighter in film. Well regarded for his kung fu accomplishments, the Beijing-born wushu champion shot to fame and triggered a global following with his first film Shaolin Temple (1982). He went on to star in many more critically acclaimed martial arts epic films. Not just a popular figure in the east, Jet Li also landed roles in Hollywood, debuting as a villain in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) followed by his first lead role in Romeo Must Die (2000).
It appears that the legendary martial arts actor who announced his retirement from martial arts films four years ago is coming out of his early retirement plans. According to reports, Jet Li will be reuniting with renowned director Tsui Hark on a new film starring Tony Leong Ka-fei and Donnie Yen.
Best-known role: Shaolin Temple (1982); Once Upon A Time In China (1991); Fist of Legend (1994)
Fight quotient: Timeless. He was a child prodigy in the world of martial arts, having won his first championship at the age of 11. His fame from his sports winnings - 15 gold medals and one silver medal in Chinese wushu championships - and popularity as an international action film star certainly qualifies him as a national treasure.
Started to like him after watching a movie called Huang Fei Hong. Love how the way he ditched his opponent. With his flying legs and super-fast-hands !!!!
Tony Jaa
Background: Tony Jaa, a Muay Thai master whose formidable and impressive martial arts skills have dazzled action lovers all around the world, is better known in his native Thailand by the name Jaa Panom. The martial arts powerhouse was nicknamed Tony Jaa by Ong Bak's director (the "T" in Tony stands for Thailand, and the "Jaa" is the actor's Thai nickname).
The actor who started out a stuntman back in 1997 got his big break as a leading man in Ong Bak (2003) where he did all the stunts without assistance and showed off his all grit and no glitz fighting style. Following the film's success, Tony took over the directing of Ong Bak 2 - which is unrelated to the first film in any story sense - but had a famously difficult road to completion that saw the actor crumbled under the pressure from debts and production issues.
The Ong Bak franchise returns for the third time this year, supposedly a direct sequel to Ong Bak 2. Expect plenty of bone-crunching and cranium-bashing fights for our viewing pleasure.
Recent news reported that the Ong Bak star has traded his high-flying kicks for monkhood. The actor was shaved his head, took his vows and was ordained as a monk in May this year.
Best-known role:Ong Bak 1 (2003) and Ong Bak 2 (2008). Ong Bak 3 will hit theatres here on July 22.
Fight quotient: Deadly. Whenever Tony Jaa goes soaring through the air with his elbow outstretched in Ong Bak, you know the fight will soon be over, when he comes crashing down at his opponent with such lethal force it makes us wince. Forget about the silly plot and characters, the man himself is the real deal.
I love everything about him on his skills for martial art ! Omggggggg i love the way he fights.
Like as though he could fly. Beats his opponent with his elbow ! He's like dancing hahahaha ! And somebody said he's dead. Well then where did the ONG BAK 3 come from ? Crazy people he's not dead yet !
Jackie Chan
Background: Known for his acrobatic fighting style and comic talent, Jackie Chan is one of the most recognized names in martial arts and action films around the world. Trained in multiple traditional kung fu styles such as karate, judo and shaolin, the star stood out amongst the rest of martial arts masters and actors with his clever blend of exhilarating martial arts action with a comical screen persona.
His proficiency in creating successful films and inventiveness in using props during fights led to the success of his action-comedy genre and made him the first-ever martial arts comedy star and led him to great success in Hollywood.
Jackie also does most of his own stunts and is famous for his impressive list of injuries which he is unable to get insurance anywhere in the world.
Best-known role:Drunken Master (1979); Police Story (1985); Rush Hour (1998)
Fight quotient: Death-defying turned family-fun.His speed, agility and acrobatic fighting style which he blends it so well with his comic sense undoubtedly earned him (and his movies) the thumbs up for family and kids appeal. In fact, Jackie also has a successful animated television series called the Jackie Chan Adventures.
Jackie chan's nose is as big as my papa's nose. Well, i think my pa loooks like him. He's good with ditching his opponents with furnitures.
Did i mention that i LOVE to watch action moviessssssss. Fightingggggggggg woohoo !
Did you watched the movie named Chocolate ? It was like quite some time ago.
This girl is from Thailand, and her moves are really superb !!!!!!! Pretty too hehehehehe.
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