Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Book (45 page)

Starring Jacky Wu Jing, Billy Chow

TV movie, yes. Best taichi
and baqua
ever filmed (so far)? Yes.

The Matrix
(1999)

Directed by the Wachowskis

Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping

Starring Keanu Reaves, Laurence Fishburne

White men can’t jump, or really do balanced kung fu … or can they?

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
(2000)

Directed by Ang Lee

Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping

Starring Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi

Ang caps wuxia
films with a simple, now obvious, conceit: his characters’ bodies are doing what their hearts cannot.

Shaolin Soccer
(2001)

Directed by Stephen Chow

Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung

Starring Stephen Chow, Vicky Zhao Wei

A riotous comedy, and a charming showcase of kung fu’s possible contribution to the world.

Hero
(2002)

Directed by Zhang Yimou

Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung

Starring Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Dao-ming

A cinematic masterwork of color and meaning that accurately compares kung fu to music, calligraphy, art, writing, creativity, and nature.

Kung Fu Hustle
(2004)

Directed by Stephen Chow

Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping, Sammo Hung

Starring Stephen Chow

Chow’s love letter to kung fu, and kung fu movies (that most westerners haven’t seen).

Sha Po Lang
(2005)

Directed by Wilson Yip

Choreographed by Donnie Yen

Starring Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Wu Jing

Donnie adds ground fighting to kung fu’s cinematic arsenal.

Fearless
(2006)

Directed by Ronny Yu

Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping

Starring Jet Li

Jet’s version of Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven: putting his previous vengeance-fueled films in context.

Kung Fu Panda
(2008)

Directed by John Stevenson, Mark Osborne

Choreographed by Jen Yuh Nelson, Simon Wells, Rodolphe
Guenoden

Starring Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman

Quite simply, the best American kung fu film of all time (so far). Everything, especially the kung fu, is on the money.

Ip Man
(2008)

Directed by Wilson Yip

Choreographed by Sammo Hung

Starring Donnie Yen, Louis Fan

Donnie finds his serene center by playing one of history’s best wing chun teachers.

Red Cliff
(2008-2009)

Directed by John Woo

Choreographed by Corey Yuen Kwai

Starring Tony Leung, Kaneshiro Takeshi

Woo can go home again with this epic, kung fu-filled, visualization of one of China’s greatest battles.

Bodyguards and Assassins
(2009)

Directed by Teddy Chen

Choreographed by Stephen Tung Wai, Lee Tat-chiu

Starring Donnie Yen, Leon Lai

Brutal, tragic, powerful tale of sacrifice and patriotism.

True Legend
(2010)

Directed by Yuen Wo-ping,

Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping

Starring Vincent Zhao

Fragmented, sure, but brimming with Master Yuen’s kung fu brilliance.

Reign of Assassins
(2010)

Directed by Su Chao-pin, John Woo

Choreographed by Stephen Tung Wai

Starring Michelle Yeoh

Woo cements his, and Yeoh’s, comeback with this delightful, period, kung fu
Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Shaolin
(2010)

Directed by Benny Chan

Choreographed by Corey Yuen Kwai, Yuen Tak

Starring Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Jacky Wu Jing, Jackie Chan

The actual Shaolin Temple gave its blessing, and contributed its expertise, to this tale of might vs. right.

Selected Index