The martial arts subgenre is crowded, making it easy for some films to undeservedly receive less love or attention. Often times, the films lost in the mix are those that don't have notable stars or a lasting impact behind them. Audiences are likely to prioritize films featuring top martial artists over films starring lesser-known action movie stars such as One-armed boxer or The city of violence. However, These films have action sequences that are just as thrilling as the better-known martial arts films and deserve praise.
Sidelined sequels and films led by yet-to-be-established actors are just a few examples of martial arts films forgotten over the years. The release of martial arts films spans multiple decades and regions across the worldwhich means there's almost always a new, underrated martial arts film waiting to be enjoyed by audiences.
10
Confrontation (1993)
Directed by Robert Radler
There are many similarities between The Karate Kid and Confrontationlike the relationship between Billy Blanks and Kenn Scott mirroring that of Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio. Still, there's just enough to separate the film from the early '90s and make it worthy of greater appreciation. Confrontation follows the character of Blanks, a school janitor, and his efforts to turn his new student (Scott) into a martial arts prodigy to better defend himself against bullies.
Confrontation has all the ingredients of a beloved 90s action film with cheesy dialogue and memorable training sequences. Despite its derived elements, Confrontation has a lot of heart. Scott's character journey is inspiring and there is compelling on-screen chemistry between him and Blanks.
9
One-armed boxer (1972)
Directed by Jimmy Wang Yu
In the late 60s, The one-armed swordsmanby Shaw Brothers Studio, introduced the idea of a male antihero into wuxia films with a penchant for bloody fights against others. Jimmy Wang Yu played the titular character in The one-armed swordsmanand just a few years later the martial artist would play a similar character in an underrated film of his ownthe same title One-armed boxer.
Although the films have no connection to each other in terms of plot, both films show Wang Yu fully committed to the role of the one-armed fighter, keeping his arm tied behind his back in fight scenes. One-armed boxer follows Wang Yu's Tien, a skilled martial artist seeking revenge against those who attacked his martial arts school. Like many of the best martial arts films, One-armed boxer It has a balance between humor and action that makes the watch fun and versatile.
8
Royal Warriors (1986)
Directed by David Chung
In the line of duty is a series of action-packed martial arts films that began with Yes, ma'am! in the mid-80s. The film is best known for featuring Michelle Yeoh in her first leading role. Therefore, the following film, Royal Warriorstends to be a little more forgotten. Yeoh returns to the film and teams up with an Interpol agent (Hiroyuki Sanada) and an airport security guard (Michael Wong) to thwart the hijackers' plans during the flight.
Royal Warriors has one of Yeoh's best martial arts fight scenes. The level of chaos and brutality throughout the film is unlike anything else. However, the action is still structured and allows the film's stars to show off their skills. Balancing the non-stop action is a side romance plot involving Yeoh and Wong's characters, though it doesn't always work with the film's overall tone.
7
Chocolate (2008)
Directed by Prachya Pinkaew
From Thailand comes the martial arts film Chocolatewhich features awe-inspiring fight choreography by Panna Rittikrai, the choreographer best known for his work on Ong-Bak: Muay Thai warrior. ChocolateYanin “Jeeja” Vismistananda's protagonist makes her film debut as Zen, an autistic martial artist who has superhuman reflexes that allow her to save her mother when she is taken away by an infamous gangster.
Although not as old as other martial arts films mentioned Chocolate has an outdated approach to the subject of autism. Yet, as Ong-Bak: Muay Thai warriorthe strongest elements Chocolate are your action scenes. These scenes easily hold the audience's attention, and Vismitananda is as strong a protagonist as they come. It makes audiences wish the Thai star had a long filmography comparable to her peers.
6
The Fate of Lee Khan (1973)
Directed by King Hu
The small cast and restricted setting inside Lee Khan's fate it allows continued tension to develop and the audience to become invested in the relationships between its characters. Lee Khan's fate is directed by wuxia director King Hu, best known for films such as The Brave and Pousada Dragão. The film is set during the late Yuan Dynasty and shows two opposing groups of people fighting inside an inn over a crucial map.
Alternating between scenes that drive the plot forward and those that are only concerned with the fight between the characters, Lee Khan's fate has a favorable rhythm that continues until the end. During the film's climax, the subdued action bits from the beginning of the film lead into an explosive fight sequence. This scene impresses with its choreographed movements and the way it is framed.
5
The City of Violence (2006)
Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan
The story in The city of violence is simple and easy to follow: a former gangster is killed and four of his childhood friends attend his funeral. While there, two of them, Suk-hwan and Tae-soo, decide to further investigate the circumstances surrounding their friend's murder and begin the path of revenge. While the story isn't entirely original, its simplicity acts as a solid foundation for its elaborate action scenes.which are the most compelling parts of the film.
Having learned from one of South Korea's best directors, Park Chan-wook, Ryoo Seung-wan's direction is highly stylized and the fighting is as well-structured as it is exciting to watch. Additionally, The city of violence is convincingly acted, and the emotional weight behind Suk-hwan and Tae-soo's actions is easily felt on screen.
4
The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
Directed by John G. Avildsen
The Karate Kid Part II It was a box office success and became one of the highest-grossing films the year it was released. Yet, it has since been seen as inferior to other entries in the Karate Kid franchiselike the 2010 film and TV series Cobra Kai. While there are reasonable complaints about the sequel's story and antagonists, there's also plenty to enjoy. Oftentimes, sequel films repackage the story of their successful predecessor, but they don't The Karate Kid Part II.
The sequence sees Mr. Miyagi traveling back home with Daniel to visit his dying father. While there, an old rivalry between Miyagi and his former friend Sato arises. Daniel also has a new enemy in Sato's nephew Chozen, which results in one of the best fights in the game. Karate Kid franchise. Furthermore, the relationship between Miyagi and Daniel progresses positively, as do the latter's martial arts skills.
3
Jackie Chan's First Strike (1996)
Directed by Stanley Tong
After years of stardom in Hong Kong, Jackie Chan achieved success with American audiences following the release of Rumble in the Bronx. However, the following year, Chan made another film aimed at American audiences: Police story 4: first attackalso known as Jackie Chan's first attack. The martial arts comedy film is the fourth in Police story series. Chan has an extensive filmography and a handful of memorable films released around the same time as First Attack.
Therefore, First Attack is consistently and undeservedly left out of the conversation when discussing great martial arts films. The plot is a little chaotic, but what's hard to deny is First attackthe ability to entertain. A healthy mix of comedy and action is spread throughout the film, with Chan's commitment to these parts apparent and commendable.
2
Headshot (2016)
Directed by The Mo Brothers
Iko Uwais is best known for The invasion movies, but Head shot It's a film of his that deserves so much love and attention from martial arts fans. Head shot follows a protagonist with amnesia (Uwais) and is centered on the mystery of his identity, bearing many similarities to the Jason Bourne films. Once it is discovered who Uwais's character is, he is thrown into one fight after another with those who refuse to let him off the hook so easily.
The intensity of Shot in the head'The action scenes increase as the film continues, becoming more daring and bloody with each new encounter. As proven by his previous films, Uwais is a strong martial artist who handles both the physical and emotional sides of his character like an expert.. The journey Uwais' character takes to escape his previous life of violence in Head shot it's compelling and makes for a well-rounded action story.
1
Black Dynamite (2009)
Directed by Scott Sanders
Michael Jai White is an action star and martial artist best known for his leading roles in superhero films. To generate and the HBO film Tyson. Black Dynamitealthough well-received by critics and celebrated by White's fans, it is still largely underrated in the martial arts subgenre. The film revolves around White's character, a former CIA agent who uncovers a government conspiracy while seeking revenge on those who killed his brother.
The action throughout the film is playfully choreographed and the humor is heavy.as Black Dynamite seeks to pay homage to and parody many of the well-known blaxploitation films of the 70s. Part of this was naturally replicating the feel of low-budget blaxploitation films, which meant that several “mistakes” were left in the film, such as a microphone appearing on screen and the direction from the stage being incorporated into the dialogue.