Madkungfu's Essential Kung Fu Flicks
20 Kung Fu movies that are definitely worth your time along with that most ressential kung fu raffilliated hip-hop group.....the Yin-Yang Twins! List is rloosely ranked by album and film |
| 1 |  | GZA
Liquid Swords
Enter The Dragon - Bruce Lee's finest hour and the genesis of the popularity of
kung fu films here in the states. Here you get to see one of the greatest martial
arts legends of all time in some of the best choreographed fight scenes ever
commited to film. The guy wasn't half bad at acting either. |
| 2 |  | Wu-Tang Clan
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin - One of the classic martial arts films of the 70s.
While there's a boring civil war element to the plot, the journey of the protagonist
as he becomes a master of each of the 36 chambers of Shaolin is pretty goddamn
inspiring to watch. The film also features masterly choreography and one of the
most kickass protagonists ever in Chia Hui Liu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGkn8TFaySg |
| 3 |  | Ghostface Killah
Supreme Clientele
Master Of The Flying Guillotine - Abandon any preconceptions of reality when
watching this film. With a one-armed kung fu master protagonist, an Indian yoga
fighter who can stretch his arms to about 8 feet in length to a deceptive japanese
fighter with hidden tonfa blades to the titular flying guillotine; a weapon so
spectacularly brutal that you don't even notice how ridiculous it is, this movie is
over the top kickass madness. The film's a ridiculously cheesy awesome joy to
watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGkn8TFaySg |
| 4 |  | Raekwon
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Drunken Master - This is the film that put Jackie Chan on the map in Hong Kong,
and it's not hard to see why. Combining frantic action choreography with the
slapstick humor that would become Jackie's trademark, this is the story of an
arrogant young fighter who goes through the training from hell courtesy of his
uncle, only to learn that his secret fighting style only works when drunk. The humor
really hasn't aged well, and the slapstick is made a bit out of place by some pretty
grim violence, but the fight scenes are excellent and it's Jackie Chan doing what
he's always done best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGtUTnMwLVo |
| 5 |  | Raekwon
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt II
Police Story - Probably Jackie Chan's greatest film and a real triumph of kung-fu
cinema. Chan plays a nice guy cop who has to protect a witness from a crime boss
after being framed for the murder of a corrupt cop. I really can't do the fight
scenes justice in words so just see for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ2Z8pGWmmg |
| 6 |  | Ghostface Killah
Fishscale
The One-Armed Swordsman - The top martial arts film of the 60's this was an
extremely influential film in it's time, in terms of storytelling and choreography. While
the action scenes are pretty dated, and there is some slightly cheesy gore, this is
a very bleak, dramatic film with some real touching moments and some fairly good
cinematography.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzxdKcN4zu4 |
| 7 |  | Method Man
Tical
The Raid: Redemption - Have you ever watched a John Woo movie and thought
"Y'know, this has too much plot. We should have some more action in there"?
Technically not a kung-fu movie, but one of the most balls out insane action movies
ever comitted to film. One of the most brutal, exhilirating martial arts films in recent
memory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyAuVZVhUEY |
| 8 |  | Wu-tang Clan
Wu-Tang Forever
Ip Man - One of the modern classics of the genre. Fantastic fight scenes and some
heart wrenching drama in this loose adaptation of the story of the man who ended
up being Bruce Lee's instructor. It's set around the Sino-Japanese war so you know
things are going to get pretty grim.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Cb2d0ZUVs |
| 9 | | Ol' Dirty Bastard
Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
Iron Monkey - Basically a Chinese adaptation of Robin Hood. Some great effects for
'93.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLnXhKN4O4U |
| 10 |  | RZA
The Man With The Iron Fists
Five Fingers Of Death - The first kung fu film to really break big in the states, this
film was also one of the first to use the "rival schools in a tournament" plot. Also,
note the soundtrack sample that was used in Kill Bill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eauaBE9_o_4 |
| 11 |  | GZA
Beneath The Surface
Fist of Legend - One of Jet Li's darkest and most serious films, this also takes place
during the Japanese occupation of China. There's a good revenge element to this
film, as well as a couple fairly sympathetic Japanese characters, which is rare for a
Chinese film. Jet Li has some of his most direct and brutal fight scenes of his career
in this film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqAnBoOFIjQ |
| 12 |  | Raekwon
Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang
Magnificent Butcher - Like many of the older kung fu films, pretty cheesy in places
but some incredibly fast paced choreography and a pretty damn decent story make
up for it. The fight scenes really are top notch here, if only the sound effects
weren't so bad...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cEsrTZJIU0 |
| 13 |  | Masta Killa
No Said Date
Cripple Avengers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NRPsQEIAow |
| 14 |  | Masta Killa
Made In Brooklyn
Come Drink With Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqs2hKv2ARE |
| 15 | | Ol' Dirty Bastard
Nigga Please
Once Upon A Time In China
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svq-sru16tE |
| 16 |  | Inspectah Deck
Uncontrolled Substance
The Chinese Connection
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aTbfxwdYQo |
| 17 |  | Wu-Tang Clan
The W
Tai Chi Master
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2icoQWmbocU |
| 18 |  | Ghostface Killah
Apollo Kids
The Prodigal Son
holy shit fuck dubs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmA7UHDP03Y |
| 19 | | Ying Yang Twins
Me & My Brother
The Legend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2ut9G-AXjk |
| 20 |  | U-God
Dopium
Have Sword Will Travel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx5qfZbprzg |
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