Martial Arts Masterpieces: Ebert’s Top Picks

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The primary appeal of martial arts films is fight scenes involving the characters. Great plots, marvelous character development and great dialogue might exist, but audiences always know what they are signing up for. The first ever martial arts movie was The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple, released in 1928. Directed by Chinese filmmaker Zhang Shichuan, the movie paved the way for the numerous minimalist films that came in the following decades.

In the ‘60s and ‘70s, the genre really took off, thanks to stars like Jimmy Wang Yu and Bruce Lee. The latter specifically influenced the Bruceplaitation subgenre that triggered global interest. In the ‘80s, the genre would grow even bigger in America because of the efforts of Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, and a few other stars. Since then, audiences have enjoyed plenty of great fights, but which exactly are the best martial arts films? We trust the greatest film critic of all time to tell us. Here are Roger Ebert’s picks for the best martial arts movies of all time.

7
‘Drunken Master II’ (2004)

Ebert’s score: 3.5/4

The movie titled “Drunken Master II,” also recognized as “The Legend of the Drunken Master,” revolves around Wong Fei-hung (Jackie Chan) as he strives to thwart smugglers intent on pilfering treasured artifacts from his homeland. Simultaneously, he grapples with his father’s disapproval of his unconventional drunken martial arts approach.

Peak Jackie Chan

In “Drunken Master II,” diversity is what makes the fighting scenes a delight. Rarely do we see repetition in the fighting styles, especially among the villains. From the Hung Ga to the Shaolin Kung Fu, each encounter offers a unique blend of kicks and punches. Critic Roger Ebert was profoundly impressed by the climactic 20-minute fight sequence, stating that it “sets some kind of benchmark” and suggesting that it might be impossible to film a better fight scene.

6
‘Kill Bill: Volume 1’ (2001)

Ebert’s score: 4/4

The Bride (Uma Thurman) from Kill Bill: Vol 1. leads a blissful, romantic existence until her jealous ex-lover, Bill (David Carradine), tries to kill her on her wedding day. The attack leaves her in a coma and when she wakes up four years later, revenge is the only thing on her mind.

How to Make a 21st Century Martial Arts Movie

Sad but entertaining, Kill Bill: Vol is one of the films devoted to examining toxic relationships. And Uma Thurman offers a wrenching performance as a woman caught between it all. Most importantly, Tarantino really pulls off his cinematic magic tricks here, something Roger Ebert acknowledged, saying “the movie is not about anything at all except the skill and humor of its making.” He added, “It’s kind of brilliant.”

5
‘The Karate Kid’ (1984)

Ebert’s score: 4/4

In The Karate Kid, young Daniel (Ralph Macchio) relocates to Southern California with his mother, only to become the target of a group of bullies who study martial arts at the local Cobra Kai dojo. His fortunes change when Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita), a repairman and martial arts expert, begins to feel a certain solidarity with the oppressed boy.

Fighting for Respect

This intriguing, affecting film by the great John G. Avildsen cements Ralph Macchio’s standing as a first-rate actor. His Daniel is a triumph of discipline and perseverance. Noriyuki is also great as one of the best movie mentors. Yet what makes The Karate Kid glow is not just the action; it’s the powerful anti-bullying message underpinning the events. Roger Ebert declared it “one of 1984’s best movies,” noting that it has “an exciting, sweet-tempered, heart-warming story with one of the most interesting friendships in a long time.”

4
‘House of Flying Daggers’ (2004)

Ebert’s score: 4/4

House of Flying Daggers sees the Tang Dynasty struggling to control due to the existence of several rebel groups. One of them is the House of Flying Daggers, a team of martial artists that steal from the rich and go Santa Claus on the less fortunate, Robin Hood style. Who will win?

Arguably the Best Looking Martial Arts Movie

This gritty martial arts picture packs a wallop and is a standard triumph for director Zhang Yimou, who has always treated his fans to many such goodies. Ebert’s review reads: “Forget about the plot, the characters, the intrigue, which are all splendid in House of Flying Daggers, and focus just on the visuals.” He added: “The film is so good to look at and listen to that, as with some operas, the story is almost beside the point, serving primarily to get us from one spectacular scene to another.” Anyone’s unlikely to disagree with Ebert’s assessment, considering the film was nominated for Best Cinematography at the Oscars.

3
‘Hero’ (2002)

Ebert’s score: 4/4

Our protagonist (Jet Li) has no name in Hero, and when we first meet him, he is being honored for defeating three of the king’s most stubborn foes. However, the king isn’t convinced that everything Nameless is saying is true. What more can he do to prove himself?

Brutal Beatdowns Coated with an Emotional Story

Nominated for Best Foreign Language film at the Oscars, Hero is a cool, stylish piece of work in the wuxia style. Li is brilliant, and the story in general will make you shed tears. Roger Ebert called it “beautiful and beguiling, a martial arts extravaganza defining the styles and lives of its fighters within Chinese tradition,” adding that film “demonstrates how the martial arts genre transcends action and violence and moves into poetry, ballet and philosophy.”

2
‘Enter the Dragon’ (1973)

Ebert’s score: 4/4

Enter the Dragon was the great Bruce Lee’s final completed film, and it boosted the genre’s popularity way beyond the levels anyone ever imagined. Here, the legend plays a character also named Lee, who is aiming for revenge against a drug lord responsible for his sister’s death. To achieve his objective, he enters a martial arts competition organized by the man, hoping to meet him in a final-boss kind of scenario.

Oh Hail, Bruce Lee

Lee was at the peak of his martial arts powers in Enter the Dragon. He consistently showcases his prowess in Jut Kon Do, aka, “Way of the intercepting fist,” and each single scene leaves you wowed. The director also builds a gradual feeling of dread throughout, yet the conclusion still manages to astound. It helps that the movie has a very competent henchman, and a cool-looking villain with a prosthetic razor arm. Ebert loved how the film “fascinates despite having the thinnest plot.”

1
‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)

Ebert’s score: 4/4

Years before Michelle Yeoh began doing everything, everywhere, all at once, she starred in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon as Yu Shu Lien, a woman whose lover gives her his sword for safekeeping only for it to get stolen. The search thus begins, and it leads to the House of Yu, where things heat up.

The Best of the Genre

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon took the world by storm. It was the first foreign-language film to break the $100 million mark in the United States and was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture. Brimming with the breezy energy of 19th-century Qing Dynasty China, the film offers mad action while lavishing tremendous sympathy on its characters. It is a perfect marriage of marvelous acting and storytelling, no wonder Ebert was impressed. He described it as “the most exhilarating martial arts movie I have seen.”

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2025-03-16 04:20