kung fu movies are famous for their stunning fight scenes in which characters show off their mastery of martial arts. Considering that most on-screen combat is largely choreographed, most of the moves portrayed in these films would not be effective in a real fight. That said, some cinematic kung fu techniques are fundamental to the fighting style and were practiced and perfected by experts in the field.
Actors like Jackie Chan, who still has upcoming films, showed many of these moves to the world and gave the genre widespread popularity. Films like Panda Kung Fu 4 took these techniques to another level by adding fictional power elements. In kung fu films, characters often use moves that seem relatively simple to perform. It’s easy to think that the technique might be simple to replicate, but it takes years of practice to apply it successfully. The fact that these characters can make such difficult methods seem so easy demonstrates how complex kung fu can really be.
10
Kick back
Jet Li – Fist of Legend (1994)
The back kick is a relatively universal technique found in numerous fighting styles, including karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, kickboxing, and others. While it may not be the flashiest move, the back kick has unlimited applications. To perform this attack, the individual must turn 180 degrees and strike with the foot upwards.
The difficulty with this movement is not actually doing it, but executing it correctly. For it to be effective, there needs to be adequate footwork and flexibility to generate the necessary rotational force. When performed with the correct technique, the move creates a large amount of torque and sends opponents flying. In Fist of Legend, Jet Li demonstrates a perfect back kick and makes it look easy. As he spins, he creates enormous power behind the movement and knocks his student down.
9
To divide
Tigress – Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Much like its real-life application, the split in kung fu is typically used as stretching practice to increase dexterity in future fights. While it doesn’t necessarily seem like the easiest move to perform, Many people believe they can perform a split and are unpleasantly surprised when they realize how difficult it is. It takes a lot of flexibility and practice to get it right.
In the context of kung fu, splitting is carried out predominantly in non-combat scenarios. However, Fiction films often test the limits of human capacity and imagine how these types of moves could translate into battle. While this isn’t viable for a real-life fight, its impressive capabilities deserve a mention. In Kung Fu Pandadivision is an important part of the Jade Palace’s kung fu training. As Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) says: “It takes years to develop flexibility and more years to apply it in combat.“
8
Palm Strike
Bruce Lee – Enter the Dragon (1973)
Often called the iron palm, The palm strike is a combat technique often used in kung fu. Unlike a traditional punch, the palm strike utilizes the force generated by the heel of the hand, which can provide significant force. Additionally, a palm strike can be a less risky movement compared to a traditional punch. It seems basic, but it’s hard to get right.
The difficulty of this movement revolves mainly around the way the arm is extended, the correct application of the heel and the place where the blow is delivered. Generally, it’s best to make contact with the opponent’s chin, nose, or forehead to deal the most damage. In his fight with O’Hara (Bob Wall) in Enter the dragon, Bruce Lee demonstrates perfect palm strike application. Reaching up, he takes O’Hara down with one quick movement.
7
Chain punches
Donnie Yen – Ip Man (2010)
Chain punches are derived from Wing Chuna martial art that is a style of kung fu. From an outside perspective, it appears that chain scams are easily replicable. After all, it’s basically about throwing several successive punches. However, correctly executing this technique comes down to rhythm and resistance. This technique cannot be reckless, it has to be done at the right time and at the right time.
Donnie Yen’s struggles in Ip Man The franchise popularized this movement in the world of cinematic martial arts. It’s his signature move and he executes it perfectly. Although they may seem excessive, chain punches established roots in kung fu and are practiced by many in the martial arts world. In the scene where Ip Man fights 10 black belts at the same time, he frequently delivers chain punches, knocking his opponents to the ground with blow after blow.
6
Nervous Attack
Chen Kuan Tai – Shaolin Executioners (1977)
On the surface, this technique seems simple. It seems like all you have to do is poke your opponent several times and it completely incapacitates them. Cinematic martial arts amplify the effectiveness of nervous attacks to attract audiences, but the use of pressure point attacks has real roots in kung fu. The idea is to hit the opponent in certain sensitive areas of the body to cause acute pain and discomfort. This can lead to openings or imbalances that provide the opportunity for a different approach.
It’s not as easy as it seems and it’s all a matter of knowing where to hit. Shaolin executioners explores the idea of using nervous attacks creatively. Pai Mei (Lo Lieh), Hung Hsi Kuan (Chen Kuan-Tai) practice on a bronze statue filled with ball bearings meant to simulate the blood vessels of the human body. By striking different areas and tearing off balls, he tries to imitate the interruption of blood flow and nerves to weaken his opponent. It’s not about hitting certain areas, the statue also serves to improve your speed and timing.
5
Horse Stance
Jackie Chan – Drunk Master (1978)
Horse stance is not a technique that would be used directly in combat, but rather a training method that aims to increase leg strength, flexibility, and balance. From an external perspective, it looks like a simple squat, but it is a very difficult movement to maintain, especially for long periods. It is a fundamental stance in martial arts and can be translated to fighting scenarios when the stance is slightly modified to be more viable for attacks.
When done correctly, it can greatly improve an individual’s mobility in fighting situations. Jackie Chan demonstrates perfect horse stance in the legendary film Drunk Master. In a famous training scene, Chan performs a horse pose while balancing teacups on his knees and shoulders, as well as wearing heavy bracelets. To make matters worse, he is crouched over a post.
4
Spear hand strike
Keanu Reeves – Matrix (1999)
The spear hand strike is a pretty self-explanatory movement. To perform the strike with the spear hand, the individual must extend their fingers and squeeze them, forming a spear shape. Typically, this movement is directed at the neck, eyes, ribs, or solar plexus to cause the most damage. The difficulty in performing this movement is not forming the position, but applying it in the right place so as not to cause any self-inflicted damage.
The spear strike has been used in several martial arts films, but one of the most iconic examples is Neo’s (Keanu Reeves) use of the movement in his fight against Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving). As the two characters fight on the subway, Neo shows off his newly learned kung fu skills and delivers a precision blow to the opponent’s neck. It’s one of the many skills Keanu Reeves learned for his film roles.
3
Pole Fight
Gordon Liu – The eight-diagram polo wrestler (1984)
Pole fighting has deep roots in the history of kung fu, but it is particularly rooted in the Wing Chun style. Simply using a stick during a fight is not a complicated task, but implementing the practice of the Wing Chun fighting technique is what makes this practice incredibly difficult. It takes years of training to feel comfortable handling this weapon and even more instruction to be able to use it in combat scenarios.
The pole can serve many purposes, including offensive, defensive, and mobility benefits. Without a doubt, one of the most impressive displays of cinematic pole fighting comes from Gordon Liu’s performance as Yang Wu-lang in the Shaw Brother Studio classic. The eight-diagram polo wrestler. In the film, Liu incorporates kung fu pole fighting techniques, using your unique weapon to take down countless opponents.
2
One inch punch
Donnie Yen – Ip Man 3 (2016)
The one-inch punch is a technique that doesn’t seem to work, but the effectiveness of this attack is crazy. It’s a move that looks incredibly easy to perform, but doing it correctly takes a lot of practice. The punch is more of a training exercise concept and would not normally be used in a real fight. However, it demonstrates that a substantial amount of power can be generated over a short distance when adequate body inertia is utilized.
One of the best cinematic displays of the one-inch punch is demonstrated by Donnie Yen as Ip Man in Ip Man 3, during his confrontation with Cheung Tin-chi (Zhang Jin). As the two engage in a kung fu battle, Ip Man creates an opening and releases the technique multiple times, completely incapacitating his opponent. The one-inch punch is an elegant techniquebut so destructive.
1
Hold Wuxi finger
Po – Panda Kung Fu (2008)
Although Wuxi Finger is completely fictional and has no real roots in kung fu or any martial art, the relationship between simplicity and raw destructive power is utterly ridiculous. The technique is simply too epic not to mention. The legendary move involves grabbing your opponent’s finger with your index and thumb and then simply flexing your little finger.
Node Kung Fu Panda franchise, the Wuxi finger was first introduced by Master Shifu. Later in the film, Po uses the technique to defeat the antagonist, Tai Lung. According to the tradition of Kung Fu Pandausing this move effectively banishes the target to the spiritual realm forever and at the same time releases a massive blast of spiritual energy. Po’s iconicskadoosh“as he performs the technique is one of the many surprising quotes from Kung Fu Panda franchise. Although the use of the Wuxi finger is explored more in the later films, its use in the first film is unforgettable.