Siu-Wong Fan, also credited as Louis Fan in some of his work, is a martial artist and Hong Kong actor who made a name for himself as the titular character inRiki-Oh. Fan’s father worked for theShaw Brothers Studioand, after learning wushu at a young age, it was clear his talents were destined for film. While Fan does have a prominent role in quite a fewIp Manfilms,most of his work is as a supporting character.
Throughout his career, Fan has worked alongside some of thebiggest kung fu movie stars of all time. Actors likeMichelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen are just a few people Fan has had the opportunity to work withand prove his martial arts skills are not to be underestimated. The best of Fan’s work can be found in a range of kung fu films, from the dramatic origin story of a Buddhist monk to the gruesome and violent battles of a super-human being.
With Jet Li as its lead,Flying Swords of Dragon Gateis amartial arts fantasy filmthat’s sure to entertain, even when the film’s plot is puzzling at times. Fan has another minor role inFlying Swords of Dragon Gateas Ma Jinliang, and he’s just one of the many eccentric characters in the wuxia film.
10 Martial Arts Styles Every Old School Kung Fu Movie Fan Needs To Know
Classic kung fu films display a wide range of martial arts styles, making them essential for enthusiasts of the genre.
Flying Swords of Dragon Gateis a remake of the ‘60sDragon Gate InnandNew Dragon Gate Innfrom the early ’90s, both of which starred iconic actors from Hong Kong cinema.There are quite a few imperfections inFlying Swords of Dragon Gate, such as the quality of CGI, undeveloped characters, and a story that’s often difficult to keep up with.
Still,Flying Swords of Dragon Gateis lots of fun.The action sequences and entertaining characters keep audiences engaged.It’s a film where the best experience is had when audiences can let loose and enjoy the wild ride.
Acting opposite martial artist Gordon Liu, Fan takes on a leading role inShaolin vs. Evil Dead. Despite having no ties to theEvil Deadfilms,Shaolin vs. Evil Deaddoes include several supernatural creatures and finds inspiration in the ’80s Hong Kong comedy horror filmMr. Vampire. The plot ofShaolin vs.Evil Deadfollows two priests (Liu and Fan) who must work together to fight off supernatural creatures that have taken over.
The conflicting ideals between the two priests, one opting to save the creatures’ souls and the other vowing to destroy them with no remorse, adds depth to the characters.Fan and Liu work extremely well together on screenand their action scenes give life to the film’s shapeless narrative.
The sequel,Shaolin Vs. Dead: Ultimate Power, was funded and released a year later.
The film has also been criticized for its abrupt ending,which was meant to set up the sequel film. Luckily, the sequel,Shaolin Vs. Dead: Ultimate Power, was funded and released a year later.
Equal parts drama and action is the biographical filmMaster of Zen. Starring Fan and Derek Yee,Master of Zentells the story of Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk credited with bringing Chan Buddhism to China and helping createwhat is now known as Shaolin kung fu. Yee portrays Bodhidharma and Fan plays Shenguang, renamed Huike by Bodhidharma.
The character, a soldier who has given up violence and becomes Bodhidharma’s apprentice, is one of Fan’s more dramatic roles. The direction of Brandy Yuen andthe performances by Fan and Yee makeMaster of Zena one-of-a-kind martial arts film. As thought-provoking and moving as the film’s exploration of religion is, the action scenes are just as entertaining. Neither tone overpowers the other, resulting in an all-around enjoyable watch.
Before Stanley Tong became a frequent collaborator of Jackie Chan’s, he made his directorial debut withStone Age Warriors.The film centers on the efforts to find a missing businessman. The man’s daughter (Elaine Lui) and his girlfriend (Nina Li Chi) team up with a guide (Fan) and venture into the New Guinea Jungle in hopes of finding him. The first half ofStone Age Warriorsis a bit slow and risks losing the audience’s attention.
But patient viewers are eventually awardedan action-packed second half that highlights Fan’s martial arts skills. It’s not often that Fan gets to show off his physical talent to the fullest extent, butStone Age Warriors' wild journey allows for it. While traveling through the jungle, the film’s three leading characters run into various enemies, including drug dealers and wild animals.
Starring alongside martial arts actor Donnie Yen, Fan had a minor role inKung Fu Jungle.Fan doesn’t contribute as much inKung Fu Jungleas in other kung fu films, but it’s still a notable entry in his filmography.Kung Fu Junglefollows an incarcerated self-defense instructor (Yen) who gets temporarily released to help officials search for a local killer. InKung Fu Jungle, Fan plays Hung Yip, a martial arts student who is the killer’s next intended target.
Kung Fu Jungledoesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the genre of film, butit does follow a traditional narrative in kung fu movies, which is a treat for fans of the genre. Additionally, the fight choreography inKung Fu Jungleis impressive and allows for one ofDonnie Yen’s best martial arts fight scenes.Kung Fu Junglereceived numerous award nominations and won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Choreography — the fourth time Yen has been given the award.
Acting as a spin-off toPolice Story 3: Supercop,Supercop 2sees the return of Michelle Yeoh as her inspector character Jessica Yang.InSupercop 2, Jessica is dispatched to Hong Kong to help with an investigation into a series of robberies. In Hong Kong, Jessica works with Inspector Lee (Emil Chau). Fan joins the cast in a supporting role as Lee’s partner and the boyfriend of his younger sister.
Though Fan isn’t in the film for long, he does contribute a strong performance. Based onSupercop 2’s poster, many assumed Jackie Chan would be reprising the role of hisPolice Storycharacter, though he only appeared in the film as a cameo. Still,Supercop 2, which isn’t as concerned with comedy asPolice Story, is a film worth watching. As seen time and time again throughout Yeoh’s career,the action in the film is top-notch and still allows for a compelling story.
Ip Man 2
Cast
Ip Man 2, directed by Wilson Yip, follows kung fu master Ip Man as he relocates to post-war Hong Kong. Seeking to establish his Wing Chun school, he faces challenges from local martial arts masters, including Hung Gar master Hung Quan, as he tries to teach the troubled youth.
Fan returned toIp Man 2as his character from the firstIp Manfilm, this time in a supporting role.Ip Man 2picks up after the first film and sees Ip (Donnie Yen) moving with his family to Hong Kong, where he opens up a martial arts school. The sequel has some of thebest fights in theIp Manfilm series, continuing the quality action and conflict that made the first film such a hit.
The reappearance of Jin establishes a contrasting dynamic with Ip compared to the first film. Differing from their original contentious relationship,Jin and Ip form somewhat of a friendship. During one scene, Jin helps Ip and his student Wong Leung escape a hoard of rival martial arts students. Like the first film, the fights inIp Man 2were choreographed by Sammo Hung and are a similar display of creativity and intensity.
Up there with the bestkung fu movies of the ‘80sisRighting Wrongs. In the film, Yuen Biao plays a prosecutor and Cynthia Rothrock plays a cop and the two characters work to uncover the truth behind a string of murders in town. Again, Fan has a minor role, but he remains part of the film’s intense action during his time on screen.The action inRighting Wrongsis fun and plentiful, as established by the first few minutes of the film, in which a gunfight and a car chase take place.
The creative displays of action sequences are topped off by classic kung fu choreography carried out by the film’s cast of martial artists.Still, the story inRighting Wrongsis just as compelling as its quickly-paced action. Though it’s not the focus of the film, woven intoRighting Wrongs’ story are themes questioning the fairness of the law. Upon initial screenings ofRighting Wrongs,audiences responded poorly to its grim ending, resulting in a few alternate endings being filmed, which were added to the 2022 Blu-ray release of the film.
Fan is just one of the manymartial artists starring inIp Manfilms.The film is based on the events of the real-life Ip Man, who is known as the master of Wing Chunand was highly influential in the martial arts world. In the film, Ip is played by Donnie Yen, and he finds himself in matches against other martial artists who are determined to come out on top. One of these opponents is Jin Shanzhao, played by Fan.
Jin is a highly accomplished martial arts master who has defeated many opponents in the city of Foshan except Ip.Jin is an expert martial artist who is confident enough to take on Ip, and his self-assured attitude and skill are evident in Fan’s choreographed fighting.
The success and acclaim ofIp Manled to sequel films that presented plenty more fights for Ip.
Both in terms of his acting and his martial arts talent,Fan is highly worthy of sharing the screen with Yen. The success and acclaim ofIp Manled to sequel films that presented plenty more fights for Ip.
Based on a Japanese manga of the same name,Riki-Oh: The Story of Rickywas Fan’s breakout role in Hong Kong cinema. In the film, Fan plays the titular character, an incarcerated super-human who combines his phenomenal ability with his martial arts training to take down several people in prison. Despite its poor English dubbing,Riki-Ohhas gone on to earn a cult following for its brutal displays of violence. There is no complex narrative inRiki-Ohand while in other films the excessive acts of violence may become tiresome, that’s not the case withRiki-Oh.
Instead, each additional opponent of Ricky’s is more exciting than the one before. The precise fight choreography and Fan’s accomplished martial arts experience groundRiki-Oh’saction in a way. The titular character is seemingly unconquerable, with many of the fight scenes being over-the-top and unrealistic. Still, they are immensely entertaining and don’t ever feel corny or cheap.Riki-Ohis by far Fan’s best work in a kung fu film and confirms his prowess as a martial artist, which has continued to be seen throughout his career.
