As a lifelong martial artist and avid fan of both the Mortal Kombat franchise and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I must say that these two films have truly outdone themselves when it comes to delivering epic fight scenes that leave me breathless and eager for more.
From some of the most underrated martial arts movies to all-time classics every film buff knows, the world of moving pictures is full of iconic moments where skilled fighters clash with each other. There are so many great martial arts scenes that even the most dedicated fighting movie aficionado might have a hard time keeping track of them all. For each of the most epic Bruce Lee fight scenes ever, there are countless gems that people might not remember when discussing quality martial arts movie moments.
The truth behind this statement becomes even more evident when considering recent times. Even someone who barely follows martial arts films would likely recognize classics such as “Bloodsport” or “Ip Man”. However, it can be challenging to recall movies and individual fight sequences that haven’t had enough time to establish a cultural footprint yet. With this consideration in place, let us explore five remarkable martial arts fight scenes from the past five years.
Triple Threat
In terms of prestige in martial arts cinema, it’s challenging to surpass the influence of the 2019 film “Triple Threat.” Essentially, this movie is the action-packed equivalent of “The Expendables,” but for top martial artists. The plot revolves around characters Payu (Tony Jaa) and Long Fei (Tiger Chen). They get entangled with a shady character named Devereaux (Michael Jai White), who’s on a covert operation to free the wicked Collins (Scott Adkins) from prison. This unwitting connection to evil also makes them sworn enemies with Jaka (Iko Uwais).
In essence, the film “Triple Threat” showcases martial arts legends squaring off against one another, much like you might expect from its star-studded cast that includes actors from films such as “Ong Bak,” “The Raid: Redemption,” “John Wick: Chapter 4,” and others. The movie doesn’t shy away from its identity, providing numerous top-notch fight scenes where viewers can witness the actors’ skills in competition. To sweeten the deal, it even includes real UFC star Michael Bisping in a substantial henchman role.
In the action-packed movie titled “Triple Threat”, each spectator may pick their preferred fight as favorite. However, the ultimate showdown between the reconciled characters Payu and Jaka against the antagonist Collins stands out remarkably. Since Jaka has a solo fight with Devereaux earlier in the film, the latter part of the movie is dominated by Payu and Collins. Yet, the scene where Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, and Scott Adkins engage in combat showcasing their signature martial arts moves is an exhilarating spectacle that makes “Triple Threat” a must-see for martial arts film enthusiasts, even if the other fights were less impressive. Thankfully, all the fights in this movie are exceptionally well-executed.
John Wick: Chapter 4
In the action-packed movie “John Wick: Chapter 4,” some of the most impressive fight sequences display chaotic mastery as John Wick (Keanu Reeves) overpowers hordes of adversaries. The Dragon’s Breath shotgun confrontation has a video game feel and is difficult to surpass in terms of gun battles; it’s an epic battle at the Sacré-Cœur stairs that’s hard to top. The fight between Wick and Caine (Donnie Yen) is truly remarkable, but when it comes to martial arts expertise, the pre-Caine brawl with Baba Yaga in the same Osaka Continental antiques room stands out. Particularly noteworthy is the nunchuck-filled section of that fight.
John Wick is capable of being a graceful fighter when he chooses, yet he typically opts for practicality. When he acquires a rough tool, like a club, he utilizes it brutally and swiftly to shatter faces as quickly and effectively as possible. Consequently, when he picks up nunchucks, you won’t see any dance-like movements or flashy attacks reminiscent of Bruce Lee. Instead, he treats the weapon as if it were a club or a baseball bat, battering his enemies with relentless force. However, when his adversaries are momentarily stunned, he becomes aware of the tool in his hand and experiments with its balance by rotating it a few times. Once he has a grasp of the weapon’s balance, the rule of style takes over, and Wick continues the fight, wielding a melee weapon in one hand and a gun in the other, employing various offensive tools as the situation evolves, but frequently using the nunchucks until Caine intervenes and compels him to switch tactics.
In most cases, Wick prefers not to engage in a fight without a firearm, and since he often uses guns, which some might consider cheating, this fight scene can’t rank higher on a list of pure martial arts sequences. However, it’s thrilling to watch the legendary Mr. Wick use one of the most famous martial arts weapons ever as if it were his own, putting his unique touch on it (unintentional pun).
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once” showcases a variety of elements, but when it transforms into a martial arts film, it truly shines as an exceptional one. The movie boasts several standout moments that could easily make a top list, such as Waymond Wang’s (Ke Huy Quan) intricately designed fanny pack fight scene and Evelyn Wang’s (Michelle Yeoh) captivating sign-spinning combat. However, when it comes to pure creative martial arts excitement, the auditing trophy fight emerges as the undisputed champion.
In the 2022 sci-fi comedy-drama, characters who travel across different universes can draw upon the talents of their alternate selves through peculiar actions. During a climactic fight scene involving trophies, Evelyn confronts a jumper (Andy Le) from Jobu Tupaki’s (Stephanie Hsu) universe. As they exhaust their other-worldly fighting energy, they become helpless and engage in a comical slap-fight.
Watching the entire event unfold live is far more astonishing than reading about it here. From the initial sense of unease about what’s coming next, to the bizarre reality of it actually happening, witnessing this fight makes disbelief a challenge. Moreover, the impressive martial arts skills on display serve as proof of everyone’s abilities. For instance, when Evelyn and her first opponent clumsily exchange blows, or as alternate-universe Evelyns take hits in the course of the battle, these moments provide valuable insights into how the jumper powers function.
Mortal Kombat
2021’s “Mortal Kombat” remake, like its 1995 predecessor, doesn’t shy away from exaggerated action, and both films share this characteristic with the video game series they’re based on. While there’s plenty of storyline and world development in the recent film, it’s no secret that fierce battles are the heart of “Mortal Kombat.” The 2021 movie has its fair share of battles, but only one stands out as bringing together the main characters and wrapping up the plot threads, all while presenting a uniquely inventive fight sequence.
The climactic fight between Cole Young (Lewis Tan) and Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim) starts out as an icy curb-stomp battle, but when the latter’s fallen nemesis Hanzo Hasashi (Hiroyuki Sanada) joins the fray as the demonic Scorpion, all bets are off. The whole sequence plays out as a massive highlight reel that showcases the two masked characters’ power sets, from Sub-Zero’s deadly ice powers to Scorpion’s iconic “Get over here!” harpoon taunt and fire breath fatality. With Cole effectively getting the Scorpion stamp of approval as they fight side by side, the fight also does wonders to establish the newcomer protagonist as an instrumental part of the “Mortal Kombat” lore.
This crucial battle in the movie stands out as the most significant, resolving the conflict sparked by Sub-Zero’s destruction of Hanzo’s clan and offering Hanzo a sense of resolution when he realizes that Cole is preserving his lineage. The fight choreography is superb, and Sub-Zero showcases his ice abilities in uniquely chilling ways. Among the many stunning fights in “Mortal Kombat”, this one holds a special place as the climactic encounter.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” offers an exquisite showcase of martial arts cinema. While it may struggle with the typical MCU tendency to culminate in a massive CGI extravaganza, the combat scenes preceding the appearance of Dweller-in-Darkness and the Great Protector dragons are meticulously choreographed and visually stunning. For example, Shang-Chi’s (Simu Liu) bus fight with Razor Fist (Florian Munteanu) and his henchmen displays a flawless blend of martial arts action with the environment. Interestingly, the movie’s most impressive fight sequence doesn’t center around our protagonist.
Xu Wenwu’s (Tony Leung) fights are a tribute to his physical prowess and weighty presence, yet they reach their peak when paired with an opponent of exceptional skill and a visually stunning, Wuxia-inspired setting. The blend of Leung’s intense acting talent and masterful control over his craft creates the most impressive martial arts fight from the past five years. Wenwu’s battle against Ying Li, the guardian of Ta Lo (played by Fala Chen), is a gracefully paced, stunning spectacle where two contrasting combatants dance and spin, gradually developing affection for each other as the fight unfolds.
This scene resembles both a dance and a struggle, skillfully arranged to where stopping it would result in a frozen moment reminiscent of a romantic period film. It subtly reveals that Wenwu is not just a ruthless villain but offers a glimpse into his complex character, hinting at his later conflicts. In contrast to other action scenes in the MCU that are flashier and louder, this martial arts sequence stands out for its grace and emotional depth.
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2024-09-21 22:00