Donnie Yen has built a reputation as one of the biggest martial arts stars of all time, largely due to his incredible roles in old-school kung fu films. Although Yen later gained recognition in important series such as John Wick, Star Warsand Ip Manhe started out in the 1980s and really became a huge star during the 1990s. These earlier films showcased his impeccable skills as an actor, director, and talented martial artist.
The early days of Donnie Yen’s career had many underrated films that lovers of old school kung fu cinema should check out. From epic action films about noble cops hunting down corrupt cops to fantastical wuxia films set in bygone times, Yen has always had the versatility and talent to excel in any genre he tried his hand at. As a true icon of modern martial arts cinema, It’s important to remember the early days and see where it all started for Donnie Yen.
10
The Last Stand (1988)
Donnie Yen as Dickson Kwan
Before Donnie Yen really became a martial arts star in the 1990s, he spent some time in the 1980s working in television on shows such as Fei Fu Kwan Ying and Mo Min Kap Sin Fung. One of Yen’s biggest debuts on the small screen was the TV movie The Last Conflictwhich he co-starred with Stephen Chow. The Last Stand starred Yen as Interpol agent Dickson Kwan on the hunt to take down a ruthless criminal syndicate.
The Last Conflict begins as a passport forgery story that turns into an epic quest of life, death and love when Dickson falls in love with the daughter of a woman whose life he saved. Like a predictable buddy cop story, the appeal of The Last Conflict it was due to Yen and Chow’s great charisma and their epic fight and shooting scenes. In Yen, Chow and Francis Ng’s early roles, there were many future stars in The Last Conflict.
9
Shanghai Affairs (1998)
Donnie Yen as Tong Shan
Donnie Yen directed and starred Shanghai affairsa film whose simple style was a vast improvement over Yen’s directorial debut, Legend of the Wolfof the previous year. Shanghai affairs starred Yen as Tong Shana doctor who returns from Britain to care for the sick who cannot afford medical care in his village. However, when ruthless gangsters arrive to destroy their village and open a casino, Yen must step in and show that her fighting skills are as powerful as her medical knowledge.
With children being kidnapped and used for medical research, the cruel nature of this evil gang went against all of Yen’s characters’ values ​​and beliefs. This fight choreography was direct and truly effective, which, combined with a good plot and effective performances, made this stand out among other kung fu films of this era.
8
Ballistic Kiss (1998)
Donnie Yen as Cat Lee
Donnie Yen continued to showcase his talents in front of and behind the screen during Ballistic Kissan old school kung fu classic that he directed and produced. With Yen as Cat Lee, a hitman in the midst of a midlife crisis, this stylish action thriller mixed romance, mystery and philosophical intrigue as it managed to deliver thrills while offering some existential contemplation in the process.
Cat was a much deeper character than the average kung fu killer, as between hits he contemplated life and was content to throw himself into his work to avoid fully confronting his ethically questionable behavior. However, Cat’s life is thrown into turmoil when he falls in love with a beautiful police officer and is forced to face the true reality of his existence. As a truly underrated yen release, Ballistic Kiss was a firm demonstration of his skills as a director and producer.
7
Butterfly and Sword (1993)
Donnie Yen as Yip Cheung
The Hong Kong wuxia film Butterfly and Sword it was a star-studded launch that counted Tony Leung, Michelle Yeoh, Jimmy Lin, Joey Wong and Donnie Yen among its cast. As a true showcase of the sheer volume of talent in old-school kung fu films during the 1990s, it was incredible to witness so many skilled performers come together for this story of revolutionaries trying to overthrow a king’s empire. Based on the novel Liuxing Hudie Jian by Gu LongThis story has been adapted for film, television and even a video game series.
Donnie Yen played Yip Cheung, a member of the Happy Forest assassins who is in love with the group’s leader, Lady Ko (Michelle Yeoh). With a strong emotional core in its narrative and excellent fight choreography. Butterfly and Sword was packed with plenty of fast-paced action to keep viewers engaged. Although the comedic side of the film doesn’t always work Butterfly and Sword was driven by its cartoonish gore and over-the-top entertainment value.
6
Drunk Tai Chi (1984)
Donnie Yen as Chan Chuen Chung
Although Donnie Yen had previously worked as a stuntman in the Hong Kong martial arts film industry, his real acting debut was with the lead role in Drunk Tai Chi. With Yen as a spoiled young man on the run from a ruthless killer, after finding refuge with a tai chi expert puppeteer and his burly wife, he masters the skill to save his life. With elements that echoed Jackie Chan’s debut film Drunk MasterIt seems fitting that the world meets Yen with a similarly styled film about a young protégé and his drunken teacher.
Drunk Tai Chi It was an excellent debut for Yen, which signaled his skills as a martial artist and actor. With an unconventional mix of classic old-school kung fu and the inclusion of American crazes like skateboarding, Drunk Tai Chi combined its most action-packed sequences with some fun slapstick comedy. Although it took some time for Yen to truly become a big star, Drunk Tai Chi it was a solid debut that laid the foundation for everything that was to come.
5
Tiger Cage (1988)
Donnie Yen as Terry
Tiger Cage was a major release early in Donnie Yen’s career, which combined fast-paced action with intense classic kung fu styles. With corrupt police officers linked to a massive drug trafficking operation in America, Tiger Cage explored a world of corruption and deceit as the remaining noble police officers were exposed to excessive violence and attacks. As one of the best kung fu films of the 1980s, Tiger Cage was essential in establishing Yen as the huge star he is today.
Yen played Terry, a member of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force’s Anti-Drug Unit, in this fast-paced, gritty Hong Kong action film. Tiger Cage was a hit with viewers, as Yen returned as an entirely different character for the sequel Tiger Cage 2where he went from supporting character to the main role. While a third Tiger Cage film was made, none of the original cast were in the final part.
4
In The Line Of Duty IV: Witness (1989)
Donnie Yen as Captain Donnie Yan
Although the naming of its characters in In the Line of Duty IV: Witness could have been more creative, as it featured Michael Wong as Michael Wong and Donnie Yen as Donnie Yan, this was still the best sequence in this long-running series. With Girls with Guns star Cynthia Khan back as Inspector Rachel Yeung, this installment proved that the series still had a lot to offer as it delivered the same intense emotions as Yes ma’am with Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock four years earlier.
In the Line of Duty IV focused on Hong Kong police officers investigating drug trafficking in Seattle and was filled with epic fight scenes from start to finish. While the absence of the original stars from previous entries was felt, the introduction of the Yen more than made up for it. As one of the best martial arts movies with cops, In the Line of Duty IV combined incredible fight choreography with classic action movie energy.
3
Pousada do Dragão (1992)
Donnie Yen as Tsao Siu-yan
Pousada Dragão was also known by the title Pousada Novo Portão do Dragão and it was a remake of the classic Taiwanese wuxia film Pousada Portão do Dragão from 1967. Set in the desert region of China during the Ming Dynasty, this sword-fighting black comedy was a star-studded release, featuring not only Donnie Yen but also Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung. As a story of armies, battles, and corruption, this classic wuxia story explored warriors resisting a power-hungry eunuch who wished to rule as emperor.
With a talented cast full of exceptional martial arts artists Pousada Dragão It featured plenty of epic sword fights and some truly awe-inspiring fight choreography. With Lin as the main star, this was just one of several martial arts films in which she disguised herself as a man, such as Peking Opera Blues and Swordsman II. An action-packed action movie, Pousada Dragão reunited Yen with his The Last Conflict director, Raymond Lee.
2
Once Upon a Time in China II (1992)
Donnie Yen as Nap-lan Yun-seut
For the second installment of Once Upon a Time in China series, starring Jet Li as Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung, Donnie Yen was hired for one of his biggest supporting roles. As military officer Nap-lan Yun-seut, it was a real treat for martial arts fans to witness Li and Yen face off in an epic team fight sequence. This thrilling sequel was a hit with critics and viewers alike and boasts an astonishing 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Set in Guangzhou in 1895 Once Upon a Time in China II saw Wong face off against the White Lotus Sect, a xenophobic cult that wanted to attack Westerners and destroy everything that wasn’t Chinese. With classic kung fu themes of discrimination and prejudice, Once Upon a Time in China II it was filled with fast-paced fight sequences and showcased Yen’s skill in a more villainous role. As one of the best kung fu films of the 1990s, Yen fans should not miss Once Upon a Time in China II.
1
Iron Monkey (1993)
Donnie Yen as Wong Kei-ying
After Donnie Yen’s great success in Once Upon a Time in China II the previous year he continued his successful streak with a leading role in Iron Monkey. This fantastical martial arts film was based on the real Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung and his father Wong Kei-ying, and Yen excelled in his fatherly role as the pair faced off against a masked martial artist known as the Iron Monkey. With stunning cinematography and some truly engaging fights, Iron Monkey was a true highlight of Yen’s career during the 1990s.
Iron Monkey The success would be a precursor to Yen earning his most famous role as the true grandmaster of Wing Chun, Ip Man, 15 years later. With a talent for embodying true heroes from the history of martial arts, Iron Monkey delivered on all fronts as an entertaining fight film. While Donnie Yen would become an even bigger star in subsequent decades, classic old-school kung fu films like Iron Monkey laid the foundation for the global superstar he later became.