The Best Martial Arts Movies of all time
There are literally hundreds, and hundreds of Martial Arts movies that have been made. It makes it difficult to select which one is the best of all time. So many talented martial artists have graced the silver screen from Bruce Lee to Van Damme, Norris to Segal, Ninja Turtles to the Power Rangers. All have entertained us, and fascinated us with their talents. These amazing martial artists have showcased their skills for decades and have inspired many, many people to study martial arts.
Any die -hard martial artist has watched at least one old Kung Fu movies which showed off martial arts such as Wing Chun and Kung Fu. A couple of the popular ones were, ‘Five Deadly Venoms’, ‘ The 36th Chamber of Shaolin’. These cheesy styled movies demonstrated these styles of martial arts and others and served as introduction to such arts and became the inspiration to many for them to start their martial arts training.
One movie for sure which was very influential and when you ask any martial artist what their favourite martial art movie was, “Enter the Dragon’ starring Bruce Lee ranks among the top. Released in 1973 it launched Bruce Lee into a household name. He became what young men in the 70’s wanted to be- the fast moving, nunchuku spinning martial arts superstar. To this day it rates as one the top martial arts films. Bruce Lee had a bunch of fast action fighting martial art movies throughout the late 60’s and early 70’s before his death. His unique look, fantastic fighting skills are still to this day remembered and enjoyed by everyone who watches his movies.
In 1984 there was a movie released called, “The Karate Kid’ with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. Though neither were professional marital artists, the storyline served as inspiration to many people. It has a great story to it and the relationship between the two main characters, Mr. Miyagi and Daniel showed the viewers how the relationship between the Sensei and student is a special one. It taught us that martial arts wasn’t just about fighting, but that it developed our mind, body and spirit at the same time and taught the viewers about the culture behind the martial arts.
There have been many talented martial artists who have found their way to the big screen. Chuck Norris starred opposite Bruce Lee in “Way of the Dragon’ and starred in many films after that on his own, ‘The Octagon’, being just one of his famous movies. Who can forget Jean Claude Van Damme in ‘Bloodsport’? His incredible physique, kicking skills and flexibility made him the envy of many. He too went on and filmed multiple martial arts based movies that were jammed packed filled with his martial arts abilities. Jackie Chan had already established a successful film career in Hong Kong before he became a star here. His fast action fight scenes, performed with precise accuracy and his stunt abilities made him a huge hit when he starred in ‘Rumble in the Bronx’. The English speaking films he has released since have also been enjoyable to watch for his talented fighting skills and quick wit. Steven Segal introduced the magnificent moves of Aikido to the big screen with ‘Above the Law’. His martial arts background and fighting scenes made it look effortless, but deadly.
The Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtles which originally was released in 1990, entertained young children and their parents with the funny, fast action, talented fight scenes of 4 turtle brothers as they fought crime. Other children’s movies that have inspired young people to study martial arts are, Power Rangers, and Kung Fu Panda.
These are just a sample of the many talented martial artists and martial arts themed movies that have fought their way onto the big screen. This genre of film will forever be one that captivates a young audience with talented martial arts skills. Whether its Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon to Scott Adkins in Undisputed 2 and every movie in between, they serve as terrific entertainment and inspiration generation after generation.
Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com
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