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Way of the Movie Mogul
Author: taichi online
Since Bruce Lee's almost perfect Kung Fu film,Enter the Dragon, that forgets the plot and concentrates purely on mind-bending action, Hollywood has become more and more fascinated by martial arts and has included them into movie scripts more often than not. It seems that no matter what the subject of a film, it must contain some aspect of martial arts. At first the focus was on the combat elements of martial arts, but as Hollywood opened its eyes and realised that there is more to martial arts than just fighting, the mythology and legends began to be included.
Bruce Lee had attempted to make his way to stardom in Hollywood, but apart from the one-season TV series "The Green Hornet" in 1966 to 1967, as Kato the Green Hornet's sidekick, he did not achieve international success until he returned to Hong Kong to make films such as "The Chinese Connection" (a.k.a. Fist of Fury) and "Return of the Dragon". What Lee and his producers did not know at the time was that martial art films would replace the Western and the musical of recent years, and provide employement for the likes of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal.
In the early 1970's a television programme hit the screens. The programme starred Divid Carradine and was called KUNG FU. Kung Fu's programme format has never really been copied by any other western film production company. It contained not only fighting but also the philosophy behind Chinese Martial Arts as each episode followed the adventures of a half-American/half-Chinese Buddhist monk named Kwai Chang Caine, trained in Shaolin Kung Fu, who flees mainland China after he is accused of murder and arrives in the American West. Carradine returned to his role of Caine 14 years later in "Kung Fu : The Movie" in which Bruce Lee's son, Brandon, is introduced as a young Manchu assassin. Later in the latter half of the 1990's returns to a spin off of the original series call "Kung Fu, the Legend Continues", which is set in modern times, but this time Carradine plays Caine's grandson . Only from the east, did programmes with these qualities come. These programmes were dubbed but still massed a cult following. Even now I still watch re-runs of Monkey when possible.
"A Jedi can feel
the Force flowing
through him"
Even Star Wars when released in 1977, had an element of martial arts. One of the key elements of the Star Wars saga is the FORCE. When Luke questions Obi Wan about the Force, Obi Wan explains, "The Force is what gives the Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.". The Chinese believe that Chi is the energy that surrounds all things. Internal martial arts such as Tai Chi use this energy to great effect. Obi Wan tells Luke, "A Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him". A Tai Chi practitioner, with some practice, can also feel the Chi flowing through the body and who knows, maybe it is Chi energy that is behind telekinetic abilities.
In mid 1980's after the spate of Ninja films, usually staring Sho Kosugi, followed the 'Karate Kid', 'No Retreat, No Surrender' and 'Kickboxer'. What these all had in common was the story line - Hero gets beat up by the bad guy(s). Hero meets a Master. Hero becomes an expert within two weeks. Hero beats the bad guy(s). The End. These films where particularly naff, but heralded the start of the era of the Martial Art movies from Hollywood. At this time you did not need to be anything special, the moves where fairly basic and the acting diabolical. With all things in life, the consumer started to demand more and more. More action, more thrilling fight scenes and better scripts.
Enter the new dragon of the silver screen, Jackie Chan. Jackie Chan was educated at the Chinese Opera Research Institute where he learned many of his acting qualities and had impressed Bruce Lee during the making of The Chinese Connection in 1972 when Chan found work as a stunt man, martial arts fighter and extra at the Shaw Brothers studios. Whilst serving as a double for the dreaded Mr. Suzuki, Chan successfully executed what was reportedly the highest fall ever attempted in a Hong Kong movie. Chan's first starring role was in the low budget "New Fist of Fury" made in 1976 and has been making films ever since but it was not until the 1980's that the west was truly introduced to Jackie. His films offered something that Hollywood is only now beginning to offer. Jackie's comical story telling, reminiscent to that of Buster Keaton, combined with his gymnastic performance made him an instant hit. Jackie Chan's films are always action packed and more that often contain comedy. You often hear how good Bruce Lee was, but as an actor, I feel, that Jackie Chan is far more talented.
IK+ screenshot taken from the
Sinclair ZX Spectrum
If you are thinking of writing a computer game, but stuck for an idea, then a Martial Arts game always seems to be a good seller. One of the first computer games featuring martial arts was the ever popular "The Way of the Exploding Fist". Unlike its modern equivalents, the game followed the rules of a sporting aspect. You fight until you score a point. "Ye Ar Kung Fu" on the other hand was perhaps one on the first games where you fought to the death, featuring small and cheezy graphics. Ye Ar Kung Fu's success was quickly followed by Shaolin Road which was a different Martial Arts type game again. Way of the Exploding Fist, however was followed up some time later with a sequel imaginely entitled "Way of the Exploding Fist 2" which was exactly the same game with one or two extras. The success of Fist was soon realised by other software houses which release their own versions. One that springs to mind was International Karate which was somewhat a flop. However its sequel IK+, became very popular possibly because it introduced a new element. The new element was an extra opponent, so that the game became you verses two other fighters.
From these humble begins came the likes of Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, both of which later became films. Street Fighter, staring Jean Claude Van Damme was a particularly bad film. The movie had no real connection to the game and was only cashing in on the popularity of the game. Leonard Maltin's review ended with "The result, [of Street Fighter] which even Van Damme fans couldn't rationalise, is more like Four Hundred Funerals and No Sex.
Mortal Kombat on the other hand, for a martial arts film, had a good storyline (although not great), featured your favorite characters from the game and the martial art stunts where breathe-taking. Add this with special effects and a storyline based around monsters from another world and you have a film worth watching if nothing else.
Van Damme shot to fame after appearing in several martial arts films in the mid 1980's. One of his first appearances was in the 1986 film "No Retreat, No Surrender" as Ivan the Russian. Later he appeared in Blood Sport which is perhaps my favorite Van Damme film to date. Along with Van Damme another martial artist appeared on the scenes. Michel Qissi, a childhood friend of Van Damme, appeared in many of Van Damme's films. Michel's name many not be instantly recognisable to you until I mention his other name "Tong Po" from "Kickboxer". Tong Po instantly became a successful anti hero and appeared in several sequals to Kickboxer not to mention a guest appearance at the 4th European Wushu/Kung Fu Championship held in Germany. Michel can also been seen in Blood Sport as the Brazilian and one of the Legionaries chasing Van Damme in "A.O.L."
The ladies where not left out ever. In Hong Kong there are many famous female martial arts film stars, but the most famous western female star has to be Cynthia Rothrock, star is films such as China O'Brian. Cynthia had spent time in Hong Kong making movies but truely found fame in the West when she started making movies in Hollywood. Cynthia is a typical martial arts who is a wannabe actor. Her martial art moves are above average, but not spectacular, and her acting abilities are well below non existent.
In 1986 a big-budget, high-tech Hollywood comedy/adventure picture, taking the cliches of Kung Fu, Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan. This film, entitled "Big Trouble in Little China", took its hero Jack Burton, (played by Kurt Russell) on a frantic adventure of one death-defying challenge after another and for good measure throws in magicians, sorcerers, Kung Fu masters and a dreaded 2,000 year old man called Lo Pan portrayed by James Hong. A highly enjoyable movie that is worth watching at any time but not really a martial art film relying mainly on gun play and special effects. What Big Trouble did though, was to help bring the Martial Arts in to bigger budget films.
Star Trek has had its moments of Martial Arts. It seems the every episode of the original series Captain James T. Kirk was throwing and kicking some poor alien life-form and Star Trek Martial Art content did not stop their. In the Next Generation, the Klingon race became more defined with a culture similar to that of the Japanese Samurai, "Death before dishonor". Worf, the klingon security officer aboard the USS Enterprise D, was seen is several episodes teaching Mok'bara, the Klingon form of Tai Chi.
As the martial arts became popular in entertaining adult audiances so did the market for children. The first Martial Arts heros aimed a the childrens market was the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Hero Turtles" which was first a graphic novel followed by a TV cartoon. The cartoon soon became a live action movie followed by a second.
The most popular martial arts programme aimed at children to date is the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, which also had its time as a movie. The Power Rangers has had its many copies including "The Masked Rider" and "V.R. Troopers". These programmes have proved to be good for business, not just for the television companies but also for Martial Art Instructors. Nevertheless, such programmes have a negitive effect. How often have you seen children kicking each ofter pretending to be Power Rangers? Even when they come to classes, they want to do what the Power Rangers do at once, not realising that it takes many years of dedicated practise.
Jason Scott Lee starred in the best Martial Arts film Hollywood has ever produced. Dragon, The Bruce Lee Story. This is because the story is true(ish) and Jason is an actor not a martial artist. Jason managed to put feeling into his character, unlike most martial artists turned actor, making the film more believable. The film is a biopic of the life of the legendary Bruce Lee based on Linda Lee Cadwell's, book "Bruce Lee : The Man Only I Knew". Dragon contains several martial arts sequences, all of them well done and is a film that could be watched by anyone, whether they like martial art films or not.
The Mortal Kombat films are another great leap forward in the world of Martial Art films. The spectacular fight sequences seen the the first Mortal Kombat film and its sequel Mortal Kombat : Annialation are breath taking, well performed an indication of what Martial Arts movies are to become then the future is looking good, however it may also spell the end of the acting careers of "actors" like Van Damme and Steve Segal.
It was in Mortal Kombat : Annialation, that Ray Park got his big break. Ray was employed as a martial arts stunt coordinator, but his talents were soon recognised and was persuaded to perform the stunts himself in front of the cameras, as the stunt double for the character Rayden.
Ray soon followed his success by winning the role of Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode 1 : The Phantom Menace. Ray, in my opinion, stole the show, but still left me feeling somewhat disappointed because I have first hand knowledge of what Ray is capable of.
Still, Ray future as a martial art actor is looking rosy. After Star Wars, he was a stunt double of the headless horseman in Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow, then Toad in X-Men. Ray has now signed a three movie contract for the lead in 'Iron Fist'.
Another actor to watch out for is Jet Li, who has been around for sometime but is starting to make a name for himself in Hollywood. Should you get the opportunity, I would recommend watching Once Upon a Time in China, (made in China) but would not recommend the Hollywood made Romeo Must Die. ...