Themartial artssubgenre has been around for quite some time, with the 2000s being a particularly significant year that produced many memorable films. Martial arts films found early success during the ’70s and ’80s, with Hong Kong producing the most notable films. Thanks to the work ofmartial artists like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Donnie Yen,martial arts films had a sort of revival from the late ’90s into the 2000s.
Many of the best martial arts films of the decade have left an indelible mark on the action genre, inspiring other parts of the world to try their hand at creating neatly choreographed sequences on par with Eastern films. The best martial arts films are not only influential in the film industry, but they also balance electrifying fight scenes with striking visuals and a compelling story.
The Hidden Blade
Cast
The Hidden Blade is a Japanese period drama directed by Yoji Yamada. Set in the mid-19th century during the tumultuous final years of the Edo period, the film follows samurai Munezo Katagiri as he navigates the challenges of shifting societal norms and his own personal conflicts. The ensemble cast features Masatoshi Nagase, Takako Matsu, and Yukiyoshi Ozawa.
Light on action compared to other great 2000s martial arts films isThe Hidden Blade— thesecond installment of director Yoji Yamada’s Samurai Trilogy. Set during a time of cultural assimilation in 1860s Japan,The Hidden Bladetells the story of a lower-class samurai caught in between a world of violence and a desired romantic relationship.
The Hidden Bladeis more of a character-driven tale, but the film is not without violence. The sparse action scenes throughout the film are captured with a style unique to Yamada and add to the film’s emotional stakes. Mutsuo Naganuma’s cinematography efforts throughout the rest ofThe Hidden Bladeare just as eye-catching and make for an engaging film on top of a strong narrative and excellent acting performances.
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The Hidden Blade’s predecessor,The Twilight Samurai, earned higher levels of critical praise — receiving a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 76th Academy Awards. However,The Hidden Bladeis still lauded by critics and was given three notable awards in Japan for the film’s direction and performances.
9Kung Fu Panda (2008)
An Animated Film Inspired By Live-Action Classics
Differing from the other great martial arts films of the 2000s is DreamWorks' animated filmKung Fu Panda. With Jack Black as the voice ofKung Fu Panda’s endearing protagonist, an anthropomorphic panda named Po, the film is a lively and heartfelt tale about an unlikely hero. Premiering in 2008,Kung Fu Pandais the first addition of a multimedia franchise, and it’s easy to see how the first film led to such great lengths of success.
In addition to the film’s clear appreciation of the technical and visual aspects of the martial arts subgenre,Kung Fu Pandainvites audiences of all ages to enjoy the movie.
Kung Fu Pandais inspired bywuxia martial arts filmsand martial arts comedies. Po’s hero’s journey, the visuals of the film, andthe martial arts sequences themselves are said to have been inspired by earlier 2000smartial arts films, includingHouse of Flying DaggersandHero.
In addition to the film’s clear appreciation of the technical and visual aspects of the martial arts subgenre,Kung Fu Pandainvites audiences of all agesto enjoy the movie. Despite being marketed as a film for kids,Kung Fu Panda’s compelling villains, charming team of heroes, and well-written comedy are things older audiences can appreciate too.
House of Flying Daggers
House of Flying Daggers is a 2004 martial arts romance film directed by Zhang Yimou. Set during the Tang Dynasty, the film stars Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Andy Lau. The story follows a skilled dancer who becomes embroiled in a rebellion against the government, and the two officers sent to capture her. Known for its vivid cinematography and elaborate fight choreography, the film explores themes of love, loyalty, and deception.
Many 2000s martial arts films have become influential pieces of work due to inventive action sequences and engrossing narratives. However, there are some films, likeHouse of Flying Daggers, that are excellent because of their visual elements.House of Flying Daggerssees two police officers get tangled up in a love triangle with a rebel helping prevent the Tang dynasty from controlling China.
The story offers up some interesting character dynamics, but while the story isn’t terrible, it’s also not a highlight of the film for many critics. Instead,critics and audiences have enjoyedHouse of Flying Daggersfor its vibrant color palette— something director Zhang Yimou is known for implementing in several of his films.
Like Zhang’s previous filmHero,House of Flying Daggersincorporates wuxing color theory, which sees colors like red, black, and yellow associated with the five elements of traditional Chinese metaphysics.The colorful and detailed visuals in the film, from the costuming to the set design, immerse audiences in a stylized world full of action and romance.
Fearless
This biopic chronicles the life of Chinese martial arts legend Huo Yuanjia, who rises from personal tragedy and the despair of defeat to inspire his nation. Battling foreign challengers to restore pride, Huo becomes a symbol of Chinese resilience and spirit.
Responsible for some ofJet Li’s best fight scenesisFearless.Loosely based on the life of Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia,Fearlesstells the story of the martial artist’s journey to restore nationalism by fighting various foreign enemies. The numerous confrontations Huo finds himself in allow for a range of innovative approaches to martial arts that ensure the back-to-back action sequences don’t feel repetitive.
Choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping,the action is quick and precise, giving plenty of room for Li and others to show off their skills. Most ofFearless' action scenes avoid using weapons and instead focus on hand-to-hand combat and hasty kicks.
However, as exciting as the action inFearlessis, there are also some valuable lessons to be learned. Though not entirely accurate,Fearlessdoes paint a substantial portrait of the Qing dynasty’s final years.Fearlessdoes a great job of balancing a historical tale with an epic adventure, resulting in an undeniably entertaining film.
Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior
Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior follows a young martial artist from a rural Thai village as he embarks on a perilous journey to retrieve the stolen head of their sacred Buddha statue, facing dangerous adversaries and showcasing remarkable Muay Thai skills.
Some martial arts films, likeOng-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, tend to prioritize flashy action sequences over a compelling narrative or dynamic characters. This can often lead to tiresome fight scenes that are repetitive and fail to bring anything new to the subgenre. However, that’s not the case withOng-Bak’s action.
The film’s story, which follows a rural villager fighting a series of characters to retrieve a stolen statue, is fun, but largely predictable. Instead,many critics and audiences have admiredOng-Bakover the years because of its inventive fight choreography.Ong-Bak’s craziest stuntsand impressive confrontations are choreographed by Panna Rittikrai and brought to life by the film’s star, Tony Jaa.
A Thai martial artist himself, Jaa brought the art of Muay Thai to international audiences. As a result, much ofOng-Bakis filled with numerous Muay Thai techniques, with a few additional martial arts styles being represented inOng-Bakand its sequels. For his commitment to action, opting out of using mechanical assistance or CGI, Jaa earned praise and positive comparisons to martial arts legends like Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 follows an assassin as she seeks revenge after being betrayed by her former employer, Bill, and fellow assassins. Released in 2003, the film initiates a violent journey of vengeance directed by Quentin Tarantino and stars Uma Thurman as the central character known as The Bride.
Several American directors have been inspired by classic martial arts films, with their appreciation of such films being seen in their own work. One of these directors is Quentin Tarantino, whoseKill Bill: Volume 1is inspired by numerous martial arts filmsfrom the ’70s. Uma Thurman leads the film as one ofTarantino’s best movie characters,the Bride, who is out for revenge against the group of assassins that threatened her life.
Kill Bill, which was split into two parts with the second half releasing a few months later, has gone on to become a fan-favorite of movie lovers.Kill Billhas a gripping and well-written revenge story, fascinating characters, and incredible action scenes.
Theaction sequences inKill Billare not only expertly choreographed by Yuen Woo-Ping, but they are eye-catching as well — further provingTarantino’s prowess for stylized violence. Another signature element of Tarantino’s films includes pop culture references, which can be found in the aforementioned martial arts inspiration. Various filmmaking techniques, character outfits, and names are inspired by prominent martial arts figures like the Shaw Brothers Studio and Bruce Lee.
Ip Man
Directed by Wilson Yip, Ip Man is a biographical martial arts film starring Donnie Yen as Ip Man, the legendary Wing Chun grandmaster and mentor to Bruce Lee. Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the film depicts Ip Man’s efforts to protect his community and preserve his martial arts traditions despite the atrocities of war.
Wilson Yip’sIp Manserves as a biographical martial arts film. Donnie Yen stars as the titular master of Wing Chun, who is a widely influential figure in the martial arts world, with his most prominent student being Bruce Lee.Ip Mantells a simple, yet engaging story that essentially details Ip’s early days as a promising martial artist.
Rounding out a successful decade for Yen,Ip Manearned much acclaim asthe figure’s story and Yen’s performance captivated critics and audiences. In the years that followed,Ip Manbecame a film seriesthat continued to build upon the story.
Ip Manhelped bring the style and techniques of Wing Chun to a larger audience and was executed extremely well thanks to the choreography efforts of martial artist Sammo Hung and stunt coordinator Tony Leung Siu-hung. Withevery new sequel comes even better action, but thefirstIp Manhas some of the best fights. The choreography is fast-paced and truly remarkable, establishing Ip’s skill and innovation when it comes to close-range combat.
Kung Fu Hustle
Kung Fu Hustle is a 2004 martial arts comedy directed by Stephen Chow, set in 1940s Shanghai. It follows small-time criminals Sing and Bone, who aspire to join the infamous Axe Gang but inadvertently provoke powerful kung fu masters, leading to a conflict that reveals hidden talents and unlikely heroes.
Ranking high alongsidethe best martial arts comediesisKung Fu Hustle. Directed by Stephen Chow,Kung Fu Hustleis the follow-up to his successful sports comedyShaolin Soccer. Chow’s film,partially inspired by the director’s childhood dreamof being a martial artist someday, follows an aspiring gangster hoping to join the infamous Axe Gang.
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Kung Fu Hustle’s action is delightfully over-the-top, and it’s evident that those involved with the film have an immense appreciation for martial arts, both as a film subgenre and as a system of combat. The choreography inKung Fu Hustleis done by the influential Yuen Woo-ping.Kung Fu Hustletakes full advantage of CGI and wire work, creating some truly exciting action scenes.
For as absurd asKung Fu Hustlecan get, it’s never too much for audiences to handle. Most of the film’s humor is executed through references to other pieces of work and cartoonish special effects. These special effects are balanced with a memorable score, performed by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and featuring many traditional Chinese songs.
A Nameless Swordsman Defeats Three Assassins
Hero (2002)
In ancient China, an unimportant fighter is being honored for defeating three of the king’s most dangerous enemies.
Like Zhang Yimou’sHouse of Flying Daggers, the wuxia martial arts filmHerois covered in vibrant colors meant to represent various themes such as desire, jealousy, and friendship.Herotells the story of Jet Li’s character, Nameless, after he is summoned by the king to explain how he defeated the three assassins trying to kill the king.
Herohas a Rotten Tomatoes critics' score of 94%.
Herohas a non-linear structure, asNameless' time with the king is interposed with his confrontations with the assassins. One of these fights is against Donnie Yen’s Long Sky, which sees the swordsman characters flying through the air and leaning off poles. As effective as rough, gritty action scenes can be, what makes those inHeromost memorable is the way they are presented with style.
The choreographed movements are fluid and have been described by some critics as poetic, withthe famous battle between Nameless and Long Skybeing a great example.Hero’s action scenes and cinematography complement one another well, creating an immersive world for audiences to be a part of.Heroearned several nominations at significant award ceremonies, including the Academy Awards and the Hong Kong Film Awards.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a martial arts film directed by Ang Lee. Released in 2000, the story revolves around warriors Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien, played by Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh, as they pursue a stolen sword and encounter a mysterious young aristocrat. The film is renowned for its lush visuals and choreographed fight scenes, blending romance and adventure against a historical Chinese backdrop.
Arguably the best wuxia film and one of the most appreciated martial arts films isAng Lee’sCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Starring Michelle Yeoh as the film’s protagonist,Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonfollows Yeoh’s Yu Shu Lien on a quest to retrieve her lover’s stolen sword.Fusing multiple genres, such as fantasy, martial arts, romance, and drama,Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonstill feels grounded, and much of the credit goes to Yeoh.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonhas a solid story, polished visuals, and masterful fight sequences, influencing many of the other martial arts films that would follow within the decade.
The Academy Award-winning actress is supported by incredible actors like Chow Yun-fat and Zhang Ziyi. However,Yeoh’s status as an action herowas truly cemented by Lee’s film.Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonhasa solid story, polished visuals, and masterful fight sequences, influencing many of the other martial arts films that would follow within the decade.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragoninfluenced Hong Kong filmmakers but made just as strong of an impact on Western audiences as well. The film popularized wuxia films, introducing the genre to audiences largely unfamiliar with typical narratives and themes.Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonwas also extensively celebrated at award ceremonies like the Academy Awards, receiving the most nominations for a non-English-language film until 2018.
