The ’90s saw the mainstream rise of martial artist actors like Jet Li and Jackie Chan, resulting in some of the best kung fu films to be released within the decade. The introduction of such stars and films brought an increased interest in the genre and influenced a variety of American films, includingThe Matrix.
After the Bruce Lee-led revival of the genre in the 1970s and some trulygreat kung fu movies in the 1980s, the 1990s continued the Golden Age.Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen and Jet Li dominated, as well as Michelle Yeoh, as Eastern and Western audiences were captivated by death-defying combat sequences that (mostly) ignored the rise of CGI, and the supernatural elements ofwuxia movies. Challenging the idea that great martial arts often comes at the cost of story-telling, the best kung fu movies of the 1990s balance compelling story with stunning hand-to-hand combat, and charismatic heroes.
Last Hero in China
Cast
Last Hero in China is a martial arts comedy film directed by Wong Jing and starring Jet Li as Wong Fei-hung. This 1993 film follows the adventures of the legendary folk hero as he uncovers a human trafficking operation while maintaining his medical clinic and martial arts academy. Set during the late Qing Dynasty, the film combines action and humor as Wong battles various villains and navigates complex social issues.
Wong Fei-hung is a Chinese folk hero portrayed numerous times in films and TV shows, including by prolific martial arts movie star Jet Li in both theOnce Upon a Time in Chinafilm seriesand again inLast Hero in China. The latter film - in whichWong accidentally opens up a new school of kung fu next door to a brothel -takes more of a comedic approach to the character to great effect. It never takes itself too seriously, but Li’s more serious performance cuts through the absurdity.
To compound his situation, Wong is targeted by a local general who wishes to have the school shut down, leading to some entertaining confrontations that blend comedy and violence.Last Hero in Chinais derivative ofOnce Upon a Time in China, and because the film nails its humorous tone, it’s often viewed as a successful parody of the franchise. The fight between Jet Li and Gordon Liu stands out as one of its finest moments, thanks to exceptional fight choreography. And while this is somewhat different to what audiences might expect of Li’s movies, it’s no poorer for it.
Armour of God 2: Operation Condor
Armour Of God 2: Operation Condor is an action-adventure film starring Jackie Chan as Asian Hawk, a treasure hunter on a mission to retrieve Nazi gold from a North African desert. Directed by Jackie Chan and released in 1991, the film features a blend of martial arts, comedy, and thrilling stunts, as Hawk faces various obstacles and adversaries along the way.
As the follow-up to what was once the highest-grossing film in Hong Kong,Armour of God II: Operation Condorsees the return of Jackie Chan as his famous character Asian Hawk.The firstArmour of Godfilm was recognized as a funnier, stunt-heavy version ofIndiana Jones. The sequel draws more comparisons to the American franchise with its plot, which follows Chan’s character Jackie through the Sahara Desert as he searches for gold.
Despite suffering a seriousinjury while filming the firstArmour of Godfilm, the action didn’t stop in the sequel. Like many of Chan’s work,Operation Condorfeatures some incredible action scenes performed by the actor and his stunt team. Unfortunately,Operation Condorwas the last great film in the franchise as it was followed byCZ12, which lacked the crucial martial arts and stunts that had made the previous films, and Chan as an action star, so beloved.
The Matrix
The Matrix, released in 1999, is set in the 22nd century and follows a computer hacker, Neo, portrayed by Keanu Reeves. He joins a group of underground insurgents led by Morpheus to combat the domineering computers that control the earth, in a battle that blurs the lines between reality and illusion.
Unlike the other great kung fu movies of the 1990s,The Matrixwas not made in Hong Kong and outright embraces more of the fantastical elements that the grounded genre consciously avoids. It isn’t really supernatural, and absolutely is not a wuxia-clone, butthe Wachowskis madeThe Matrixan ode to the martial arts movies they’d clearly embracedin their formative journey. As a high-concept exploring the nature of reality, it’s very story driven, but when the action sequences come, they’re exceptional.
For the purists, Neo’s gun fu may break the golden rule of kung fu combat scenes,the presence and influence of Chinese choreographer and director Yuen Woo-ping givesThe Matriximpressive credentialsthat are absolutely delivered upon. Keanu Reeves' Neo is a perfect reflection of kung fu hero archetypes, with a thoroughly modern take, and he loses nothing by being in an American production.
Iron Monkey(1993)
InIron Monkey, Donnie Yen acts as the protagonist tasked with capturing the titular masked martial artist who has been causing trouble for the rich local community. Part of whyIron Monkeyis widely praised by audiences in Hong Kong is because ofthe film’s commentary on the class divideand the help oppressed communities receive only because of the Iron Monkey.
Unfortunately,Iron Monkeywas altered when it was released to American audiences.Iron Monkey’s political and historical context, as the film also acts as a fictional retelling of Wong Fei-hung’s childhood, were removed from the film. Still, because of its universally understood use of action and Yen’s strong leading performance,Iron Monkeybecame the 11th-highest-grossing foreign film in the United States the year it was released.
Wing Chun
Wing Chun is a 1994 martial arts film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, featuring Michelle Yeoh as the titular character, a skilled fighter who defends her village from bandits while managing her tofu business. Donnie Yen co-stars, adding depth to this action-packed narrative set during the Ming Dynasty. Themes of gender roles and empowerment are prevalent, as Wing Chun challenges societal norms with her formidable combat skills.
Making her return to acting in the early ’90s, one of Michelle Yeoh’s first roles back was inWing Chun. In the film, directed by one of thebest martial arts directors of all time,Yuen Woo-ping,Yeoh plays the titular character living a double life as she confronts the bandits who visit her village, while also working at a tofu shop.Alongside Yeoh are some of the most recognizable actors in Hong Kong, including Cheng Pei-pei and Donnie Yen.
The name of the film comes from a style of kung fu that prioritizes proximity between fighterswith hand-to-hand combat being used the most. While there aren’t as many Wing Chun techniques used in the film as martial arts enthusiasts would like, there are still plenty of action scenes for audiences to enjoy. One scene in particular, a final confrontation with Norman Chui’s character, highlightsthe best of Yeoh’s fighting skills.
Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
The first timeJet Li played Wong Fei-hungwas early in his career inOnce Upon a Time in China.The martial arts film is the first of many in the franchise and sees Wong step up to protect his local martial arts school. Li was given the chance to show his athleticism and skills inOnce Upon a Time in China’s fight scenes, including the memorable confrontation in which his character Wong leaps off a variety of bamboo ladders when fighting his enemy.
Among the endless range of action scenes inOnce Upon a Time in China, there is also a message about colonization and China’s history as the film is set during the Qing dynasty in the 19th century.The real-life influences onOnce Upon a Time in China’s story help ground the filmand don’t allow it to become merely a compilation of the best kung fu techniques.
Police Story 3
Police Story 3 (2011) is a Chinese-Hong Kong action film directed by Benny Chan. The film stars Jackie Chan as a daredevil police officer who teams up with his partner to dismantle a drug syndicate. Featuring high-octane action sequences and signature martial arts stunts, the movie continues the legacy of the Police Story series with a blend of suspense and thrilling cinematography.
Recognized as one of the better installments in thePolice Storyfilm series,Police Story 3: Supercophas Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung, and Bill Tung revisiting their roles from the previous films. This time, Chan’s character, Chan Ka-Kui, teams up with Jessica Yang, a police officer played by Michelle Yeoh, to shut down a local drug cartel.As co-leads, Chan and Yeoh’s energy is matched incredibly well.
Though there are many moments of laughter inSupercop,the biggest takeaway from the film is the action scenes.Combining their love for the genre, the two stars are more fiery than ever. Chan and Yeoh are both known for performing many of the stunts in their action films, andSupercopwas no exception. While filming a few of their risky scenes, they both had minor injuries, but luckily no one was badly hurt.
Rumble In the Bronx
Rumble in the Bronx follows Hong Kong native Keong as he visits New York for his uncle’s wedding. While helping at his uncle’s Bronx market, Keong befriends a local child and confronts a gang causing trouble, unknowingly getting involved in a criminal conflict.
Rumble in the Bronxis one of the moresignificant films in Jackie Chan’s career.The action comedy film helped introduce Chan to North American audiencesand has a formula that has continued to be used in most of his work to this day — a mix of comedy and attention-grabbing stunts. Set in New York, a Hong Kong police officer travels to the titular city and finds himself in the middle of a fight between motorcycle gangs.
Though there are plenty of films in the martial arts genre that have intricate plots equal to the amount of action scenes,Rumble in the Bronxis not one of them. The story is standard for an action film, especially one starring Chan, thereforethe choreographed stunts are made to do all the work to keep the audience’s attention, and it succeeds in doing just that. The combination of humor and action helps make sureRumble in the Bronxnever loses sight of its central goal of entertaining audiences.
Fist Of Legend
Fist of Legend follows Chen Zhen, a Chinese engineering student in 1937, who navigates tensions between Chinese and Japanese factions upon returning to Shanghai after the death of his kung-fu master, challenging the socio-political dynamics of Japanese-occupied China.
A remake of Bruce Lee’sFist of Fury,Fist of LegendstarsJet Li as a martial artist who digs further into the death of his old master.Rather than aim for a comedic tone or focus solely on including as many fight scenes as possible,Fist of Legendhas a compelling story that highlights the stigma against Li’s character as a Chinese martial artist.
Still, that is not to say there isn’t an array of striking fight sequences in the film. Through the use of its action,Fist of Legenddoes an excellent job honoring Lee’s legacy.Fist of Legend’s action choreographerYuen Woo-ping worked with Li to create captivating action scenes with limited wirework. As a result, Li’s physical talents are on full display and are entirely captivating to watch.
Drunken Master II
Drunken Master II is a martial arts film directed by Lau Kar-leung and starring Jackie Chan as Wong Fei-hung. Set in early 20th century China, the story follows Wong Fei-hung as he employs his unique style of drunken boxing to combat corrupt officials and foreign agents smuggling valuable artifacts. The film is renowned for its intricate choreography and traditional kung fu elements.
Comparable to Jet Li’s performance as Wong Fei-hung inLast Hero in China, Jackie Chan also plays a comedic version of the famed martial artist inDrunken Master II. Continuing what is considered to be Chan’s best franchise,Drunken Master IIelevated everything great about the first film and secured Chan’s place as a breakout actor during the time. As a result of both films,Chan was able to make a name for himself in martial arts films, separate from the legacy of the greats before him.
Drunken Master IIexpertly combines the use of impressive stunt choreography and comedic charactersthat would continue to be seen throughout the remainder of Chan’s career. Chan understands the significance of a final battle scene and there are many great examples to choose from in his filmography. One of thebest final fights in Chan’s moviesis inDrunken Master IIwhen Wong Fei-hung falls onto a bed of hot coal.
