Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Book (44 page)

Starring Yuen Baio, Lam Ching-ying, Frankie Chan

Arguably Sammo Hung
’s masterpiece, showcasing superlative wing chun
.

Legendary Weapons of China
(1982)

Directed by Liu Chia-liang

Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang

Starring Liu Chia-liang

Master Liang’s quintessential kung fu film, capturing his kung fu at the height of his powers.

Five Element Ninja
(1982)

Directed by Chang Cheh

Choreographed by Cheng Tien-chi

Starring Cheng Tien-chi

Chang Cheh
’s last great, sharply structured, kung fu thriller.

Human Lanterns
(1982)

Directed by Sun Chung

Choreographed by Tang Chia

Starring Chen Kuan-tai, Lo Lieh

Slasher killers plus great kung fu equals the best (and maybe only)
of
its kind.

The Shaolin Temple
(1982)

Directed by Cheung Yam-yim

Choreographed by Yue Hoi, Ma Yin-tat

Starring Jet Li

Mainland China unbuckles its propaganda straitjacket for their first mainstream kung fu production.

A Fistful of Talons
(1983)

Directed by Sun Chung

Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung

Starring Billy Chong Chuen-lei

Sun Chung
’s swan song is a suitably imaginative, fast-moving kung fu adventure.

Duel to the Death
(1983)

Directed by Tony Ching Siu-tung

Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung

Starring Norman Chu, Damian Lau

This tale of Chinese kung fu vs. Japanese cheaters is loads of fast-moving, brain-stretching fun.

Project A
(1983)

Directed by Jackie Chan

Choreographed by Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung

Starring Jackie Chan

Jackie drags the period kung fu film, kicking and screaming, into the 20
th
century.

Disciples of the 36th Chamber
(1984)

Directed by Liu Chia-liang

Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang

Starring Hsaio Ho, Gordon Liu Chia-hui

Master Liang’s energetic take on the story of Fong Sai-yuk
.

Eight Diagram Pole Fighter
(1984)

Directed by Liu Chia-liang

Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang

Starring Gordon Liu Chia-hui

The only Liang film chosen as one of China’s Top 100 Films of all time.

Opium and the Kung Fu Master
(1984)

Directed by Tang Chia

Choreographed by Tang Chia
, Yuen Wah
, Yuen Bun, Li Hai-sheng

Starring Ti Lung

Tang Chia
’s last, and best, film, turns the Cantonese kung fu comedy inside out.

Wheels on Meals
(1984)

Directed by Sammo Hung

Choreographed by Chin Kar-lok, Mars

Starring Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Baio

Fun, modern day adventure, highlighted by a classic realistic fight ‘tween Jackie and Benny the Jet Urquidez.

Shaolin Temple II: Kids from Shaolin
(1984)

Directed by Cheung Yam-yim

Choreographed by Yue Hoi, Ma Yin-tat

Starring Jet Li

Exceptional kung fu makes up for some creaky silliness.

Police Story
(1985)

Directed by Jackie Chan

Choreographed by Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association

Starring Jackie Chan

Jackie drags the modern kung fu film, kicking and screeching, into the 20
th
century.

Yes Madam
(1985)

Directed by Corey Yuen Kwai

Choreographed by Corey Yuen Kwai, Mang Hoi

Starring Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Rothrock

The creation of the woman wushu warrior with automatic weapons genre.

Righting Wrongs
(1986)

Directed by Corey Yuen Kwai

Choreographed by Corey Yuen Kwai
, Yuen Baio
, Hsu Hsia
, Mang Hoi

Starring Yuen Baio, Cynthia Rothrock

Yuen Baio
adds his own effort to the list of Hong Kong’s finest kung fu thrillers.

Martial Arts of Shaolin
(1986)

Directed by Liu Chia-liang

Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang

Starring Jet Li

Master Liang meets Jet Li
in this kung fu lover’s magnum opus.

Peking Opera Blues
(1986)

Directed by Tsui Hark

Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung

Starring Brigitte Lin, Sally Yeh, Cherie Chung

Tradition-tweaking Tsui delights with this fun feminist adventure.

A Better Tomorrow
(1986)

Directed by John Woo

Choreographed by Stephen Tung Wai

Starring Ti Lung, Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung

Woo explodes the genre with his first great “gun fu” thriller.

A Better Tomorrow II
(1987)

Directed by John Woo

Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung

Starring Ti Lung, Chow Yun-fat

Woo discovers that the audience’s appetite for extreme gun fu is insatiable.

Project A II
(1987)

Directed by Jackie Chan

Choreographed by Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association

Starring Jackie Chan

What many consider Jackie’s apex as a director of kung fu adventures.

Eastern Condors
(1987)

Directed by Sammo Hung

Choreographed by Sammo Hung, Yuen Baio, Yuen Wah, Corey Yuen Kwai, Hsaio Ho

Starring Sammo Hung, Yuen Baio

Sammo shoots the works in this jumble of almost every modern day war classic.

Police Story 2
(1988)

Directed by Jackie Chan

Choreographed by Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association

Starring Jackie Chan

It’s really two movies in one, but both features almost unbelievably fast, intricate kung fu.

Dragons Forever
(1988)

Directed by Sammo Hung

Choreographed by Sammo Hung Stuntmen Association, Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association

Starring Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Baio

The last of the “Three Brothers” films, with nearly every kung fu actor they could fit.

Tiger on Beat
(1988)

Directed by Liu Chia-liang

Choreographed by the Liu Chia Family

Starring Conan Lee, Chow Yun-fat

Master Liang tries his hand at “gun fu,” with some of his superlative kung fu thrown in.

Pedicab Driver
(1989)

Directed by Sammo Hung

Choreographed by Sammo Hung Stuntmen Association

Starring Sammo Hung

The best of Sammo’s “dark period” kung fu thrillers.

The Killer
(1989)

Directed by John Woo

Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung

Starring Chow Yun-fat, Danny Lee, Sally Yeh

Woo raises the cinematic standard of gun fu with this smart, visually thrilling masterpiece.

God of Gamblers
(1989)

Directed by Wong Jing

Choreographed by Paul Wong Kwan

Starring Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Joey Wong

Schlockmeister Wong Jing
finally gets one right, thanks to Chow’s superlative performance.

Bullet in the Head
(1990)

Directed by John Woo

Choreographed by Lau Chi-ho

Starring Tony Leung, Jacky Cheung, Waise Lee

Woo’s gun fu Apocalypse Now
meets Deer Hunter
… which is as intense as it sounds.

Once Upon a Time in China
(1991)

Directed by Tsui Hark

Choreographed by the Yuen Family

Starring Jet Li

Wong Fei-hung, and Jet Li
’s career, is revived in this excellent effort.

Police Story 3: Supercop
(1992)

Directed by Stanley Tong

Choreographed by Mak Wai-cheung, Stanley Tong

Starring Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh

Jackie finally lets a woman make equal time.

Once Upon a Time in China II
(1992)

Directed by Tsui Hark

Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping

Starring Jet Li, Donnie Yen

Tsui gets the balance of action, comedy, romance, and politics exactly right.

Full Contact
(1992)

Directed by Ringo Lam

Choreographed by Liu Chia-wing

Starring Chow Yun-fat, Simon Yam

Lam’s best gun fu effort, with exceptional performances by Chow, Yam, and Anthony Wong
.

Hard Boiled
(1992)

Directed by John Woo

Choreographed by Kuo Chui

Starring Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung

Woo says so long to Hong Kong (for now) with this satisfying gun fu extravaganza.

The Heroic Trio
(1993)

Directed by Johnnie To, Tony Ching Siu-tung

Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung

Starring Anita Mui, Maggie Cheung, Michelle Yeoh

The best woman wushu warrior comic book adventure Marvel Comics never made.

The Bride with White Hair
(1993)

Directed by Ronny Yu

Choreographed by Kuo Chui

Starring Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung

Swooningly romantic, emotionally thrilling wuxia
.

Iron Monkey
(1993)

Directed by Yuen Wo-ping

Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping

Starring Donnie Yen

Master Yuen makes the best “wire-work” kung fu film (so far).

Fist of Legend
(1994)

Directed by Gordon Chan

Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping

Starring Jet Li, Billy Chow

Jet Li
cinematically captures his kung fu at its height.

Drunken Master II
(1994)

Directed by Liu Chia-liang, Jackie Chan

Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
, Jackie Chan
Stuntmen Association

Starring Jackie Chan

Jackie’s kung fu masterpiece (so far).

Ashes of Time
(1994)

Directed by Wong Kar-wai

Choreographed by Sammo Hung

Starring Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung, Brigitte Lin, Jacky Cheung

Kung fu returns to the art film realm.

The Blade
(1995)

Directed by Tsui Hark

Choreographed by Stephen Tung Wai, Mang Hoi, Yuen Bun

Starring Vincent Zhao

Tsui’s masterful remake of
The One-Armed Swordsman
.

The Taichi Master aka Master of Taichi
(1997)

Directed by Yuen Wo-ping, Cheung Sing-yim

Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping, Yuen Cheung-yan