a neophyte shares his journey into Hong Kong film:
(i'm not the guy who should be doing this but i'll give it my best shot)
You've heard about or have been marginally aware of Hong Kong films and the Matrix pumped the shit out of you. Western action flicks naturally just seem like 100 million dollar wet farts to you now. well, thank god you have Hong Kong films...
First of all i feel that the critical/unique areas of Hong Kong films are Kung fu action/comedic action, and gunplay. Hong Kong films tend to be set in either the near present or the historic warrior past. and unlike Western action movie stars, Hong Kong stars have the skills you see on the screen, it is they themselves who are performing the ballet that is before you. they are maestros one and all. if only i could be one of their teaming stunt monkeys as i once read their extras/combatants are called....
the first two stars that come to my mind are Jackie Chan (kung fu and comedy) and Chow Yun Fat (gunplay and the embodiment of cool). other names (this list is nowhere near complete, but some of the names) you should know or watch for are of course Bruce Lee (who single-handedly made Hong Kong cinema a force to be reckoned with and a powerful, popular artform), John Woo, Jet Li, Yuen Woo-Ping, Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, Wong Kar-wai, Sammo Hung, and many, many more.
my personal faves so far:
Drunken Master (1979) starring Jackie Chan and Yuen Siu Tien , directed by Yuen Woo-Ping (who trained the stars of the Matrix and is the son of Yuen Siu Tien)-this movie is simply glorious with kung fu and shows you why Jackie Chan is the biggest star in the East. Great kung fu with Jackie's unique blend of self-deprecating humor and absolute mastery of cinematic kung fu, all without sacrificing the movie as whole (plus you get to see Jackie get his ass kicked by an older woman playing his aunt in the movie, she rocks). I haven't seen Drunken Master II (1994) yet as i am saving it for myself like one save's all one's life for one's retirement, i fully believe it will be my favorite HK movie once i see it.
Police Story 3: Supercop (1992) starring Jackie Chan with the incredibly talented Michelle Yeoh, plus Maggie Cheung. This film is set in the present day and successfully shows that kung fu can stand up to any special effects/big bomb terrorist BS that Hollywood can throw at it. What blows me away about this movie is that Michelle Yeoh didn't know how to ride a motorcycle before making this movie, yet her motorcycle stunts will make any Harley owner bow with praise. she is sort of like the embodyment of Carrie-Anne Moss' character Trinity in the Matrix who when asked if she can pilot the helicopter says, "Not yet." You'd think Michelle Yeoh had a dirt bike when she was 7. when you leave the theater after a great Jackie Chan movie be prepared to feel the need to do some righteous kung fu!
Hard-Boiled (1992) starring Chow Yun Fat and directed by the master of guns himself, John Woo. John Woo is the guy you can thank for virtually every cool ballet of guns you have seen in the '90's or will see at least in the first part of the new millenia. and Chow Yun Fat, who else could look so cool with a gun in one hand and a baby in the other?
the Killer (1989) starring once again Chow Yun Fat in a John Woo film. This is quite fittingly the place many people start their exploration into Hong Kong film. who but John Woo could make the ultimate buddy film, not about a killer and a killer, or a couple of cops, but the killer and the cop. if only we could keep this many bullets in the air for so long and live to share in the pure brotherhood of it all...
Fallen Angels (1995)-d.-Wong Kar-wai-beautiful to a fault, one can't overplay how important the cinematography by Christopher Doyle (like the best of a drugged mtv music video fish-eye lens) in Wong Kar-wai's movies is.
Chungking Express (1994) directed by Wong Kar-wai (who makes a very different kind of Hong Kong film, more like a classical postmodern western drama with a uniquely Hong Kong noirish quality) cinematographer Christopher Doyle.
other Hong Kong films i've enjoyed very much are as follows:
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978) directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, starring Jackie Chan and Yuen Siu Tien again.
Fist of Legend (1994) starring Jet Li and directed by Gordon Chan and Yuen Woo-Ping. regarded by many as the pinnacle of Hong Kong kung fu movies.
films on my must see list:
Tai Chi (Master) 1993)-d.-Yuen Woo-Ping . s.-Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh
Wing Chun (1994)-d.-Yuen Woo-Ping. s.-Michelle Yeoh
Ah Fei (Days of Being Wild) (1991)-d.-Wong Kar-wai, c.-Christopher Doyle. s.-Maggie Cheung
Chinese Connection (1972)-s.-Bruce Lee
Enter the Dragon (1973)-s.-Bruce Lee
Drunken
Master II (1994)-d.-Jackie
Chan. s.-Jackie Chan
Police Story (1985)-written, directed, and starring Jackie Chan. s.-Maggie Cheung
Project A (1983)-written, directed, and starring Jackie Chan
City Hunter (1992)-s.-Jackie Chan
Comrades: Almost a Love Story (1996)-s.-Maggie Cheung
God of Gamblers (1989)-s.-Chow Yun Fat
A Chinese Ghost Story (1989)-s.-Leslie Cheung
Five (Deadly) Venoms (1978)
Fong Sai-Yuk (1993)-s.-Jet Li
Made in Hong Kong (1997)-d.-Fruit Chan
You'll notice these films start with Bruce Lee in 1972 and begin to taper off at about 1997 at about which time most of these great artists are in the process of remaking themselves for the West. we are truly not worthy, pray that Hollywood doesn't despoil a good thing. but other than the Matrix (1999), i have not been happy with what i've seen so far. i haven't seen John Woo's movies with John Travolta yet, but i'll probably break down soon. what does Hong Kong have lying in wait for us that merely has not crossed the ocean yet?
again, let me state quite clearly that i am a newbie to this who is merely wanting to share my research with other newbies. this is by no means meant as anything remotely resembling a definitive guide. please share your info and wisdom with me that i may truly know Kung fu.
ps. these movies have almost inspired me to begin the practice
of some martial art, even if it's only me jumping around like an
idiot at home. they get the blood pumping in your veins and make
you feel alive. very few things in life can say that....