Part 2
We’re back for round two in our countdown of the top ten martial art movies of the last decade. The first three spots were filled in part one and now part two will knockout the seven through four spots. Let’s not waste any time and jump straight into round two.
Top Ten (Round 2)
7. South Korea – The Villainess (2017)
The Villainess follows a dangerous assassin named Sook-hee who found herself in the society of assassins from a young age. After giving birth to a baby girl, Sook-hee works out a deal to guarantee a life of freedom for her and her daughter. But when people threaten her chance at a normal life and the safety of her child, she will do anything to protect her daughter.
South Korea is an absolute juggernaut in the world of action cinema. You cannot mention South Korean action without bringing up Man from Nowhere, No Tears for the Dead, or The Divine Move, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface. The Villainess came out later in the decade and stomped much of the competition. The outstanding, single take action set pieces of The Villainess put Hollywood blockbusters to shame.
The Villainess moves at a much slower pace than your average action film. While the adrenaline filled action sequences are some of the very best in the history of South Korean cinema, the story actually takes front and center. The beautiful tale of a mother’s devotion to her daughter is wonderfully woven throughout the film. The heavy drama perfectly accentuates the meaning behind every act of violence performed by Sook-hee.
6. Japan – 13 Assassins (2010)
When an evil lord who terrorizes his own people wishes to plunge Japan back into a time of war, an old samurai must bring together a team of warriors to keep peace in Japan. Before they take out their target, the thirteen heroes must go to war with an entire army.
Takashi Miike has made some utterly disturbing films. I don’t know about you but Ichi the Killer may be the most difficult movie that I have ever had to watch. Miike litters his films with disgusting and brutal imagery that makes the viewer feel horrible. However, in 13 Assassins Miike uses his signature imagery and acts of violence solely for the purpose of creating a truly detestable villain.
The action in 13 Assassins is sparse. A majority of it takes place during the final fifty minutes of the film. Miike wonderfully builds the tension with excellent characters and steady pacing. All culminating in a near one-hour climax of glorious and intense swordplay. Not all of Miike’s films are very palatable. I’ve been very vocal about disliking his films, but 13 Assassins is a work of excellence.
5. China – Shaolin (2011)
After an incident of betrayal results in the death of his infant daughter, a spiteful warlord seeks asylum and salvation in a Shaolin monastery. He works to gain the trust of the monks and find forgiveness and enlightenment in himself. While he is doing his best to be a new man, the army he once led marches to invade the temple.
Shaolin director Benny Chan is one of the hardest working directors in China. Included in his filmography are two of my favorite Chinese films, 2004’s New Police Story and 2007’s Invisible Target. Within these three films, Benny Chan has shown that while he is adept at capturing cinematic fight scenes, his greater skill may be in juggling characters. Shaolin features a stacked cast including Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Wu Jing, Jing Yu, Jackie Chan, and Bing Bing Fan.
With a cast like that comes devoting ample time to each character. Story arcs must be fulfilled and each of the excellent martial artists must have the time to shine. Benny Chan perfectly balances all of it with brilliant kung fu, beautiful performances, and tragic storytelling. Proving that martial art movies can be more than just that.
4. Donnie Yen – Wu Xia (aka Dragon) – (2011)
Liu Jinxi is a normal citizen. He lives in a humble village with his wife and two sons. As a detective pieces together the death of two thieves, Jinxi’s life is exposed. His past is being uncovered and his family threatened. His past life is coming back to haunt him and he must do anything and everything to protect those that he loves.
It was a serious struggle to pick the best Donnie Yen movie of the 2010s. The man almost never misses with his movies. The Ip Man films, Special ID, The Lost Bladesman, Kung Fu Jungle, and Legend of the Fist are all full of solid action. Wu Xia stands out by being a dramatic and passionate homage to The One-Armed Swordsman and the Kung Fu films of the 60s through 80s.
Wu Xia features two major names of the Shaw Brothers era, Kara Hui and Jimmy Wang Yu (the one-armed swordsman himself). In her battle against Donnie Yen, Kara Hui proved that she could still throw down in the modern era. Donnie Yen is the gold standard of kung fu cinema, so his fight scenes are undeniably great, but it was his acting that brought weight to the story. As Liu Jinxi and Ip Man, Donnie Yen has matured greatly as an actor. With his announcement that he will be stepping away from Kung Fu films, maybe Yen will prove that he is more than just fast punches and high kicks.
The Final Round
Part two is all wrapped up and we’re down to the final three. Have you seen The Villainess, 13 Assassins, Shaolin, or Wu Xia? What would you have placed in those spots? Comment your thoughts and tell us what you think will take the final three spots. Be sure to check back at Martial Journal for the final best martial art movies of the 2010s
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It is weird picking the Dragon over Ip Man 2 to represent Donnie Yen for this decade. Outside of the Sherlock Holmes break down it really wasn’t that special