What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 03 Jan 2009, 00:23

Fist of Legend is over-rated, but counts, ok.
Heroic Trio was made before Full Contact (and isn't exactly a masterpiece)
Drunken Master II is great. I forgot this.
Purple Storm haven't seen, but I haven't heard anyone calling it a masterpiece
Who Am I wtf? A great film? Far from it.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 03 Jan 2009, 00:57

HungFist wrote:Purple Storm haven't seen, but I haven't heard anyone calling it a masterpiece

It's not a masterpiece, but you did ask for 'good' action films

I like Purple Storm, used to watch it quite a lot back in the day.

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 03 Jan 2009, 01:09

Who Am I? Is not a great film, but the benchmark you're setting is Sha Po Lang, which I think even its most ardent fans would admit is not a truly "great" film.

So 1992 is the cut off, let's think, decent action films since then:

Crime Story
Kung Fu Hustle
Drunken Master II
Iron Monkey
Blade of Fury
Tai Chi II
Thunderbolt
Rumble in the Bronx
The Bride with White Hair
Ashes of Time
Gorgeous
A Chinese Odyssey I + II
From Beijing With Love
Flirting Scholar
Love on Delivery

From Jet Li alone:
Black Mask
Bodyguard From Beijing
Fearless
Fist of Legend
Fong Sai Yuk
Fong Sai Yuk II
High Risk
Last Hero in China
Once Upon a Time in China III
Tai Chi Master

Fair few titles above that are infinitely more enjoyable than SPL.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 03 Jan 2009, 10:15

My bad accidentally saying "good" in the second post. I said SPL was terrific, and then referred to Hard Boiled and Full Contact. The idea was to look for other HK action films that can be considered great.

Not an action film really
Ashes of Time
Kung Fu Hustle
From Beijing With Love
Love on Delivery

You gotta be kidding
Rumble in the Bronx

Good film, but not good enough
Thunderbolt
Gorgeous
Bodyguard From Beijing
Black Mask
Once Upon a Time in China III
Tai Chi Master
Fearless
Crime Story
Iron Monkey
The Bride with White Hair

Accepted
Fist of Legend

Better than SPL
Drunken Master II

Haven't seen
Blade of Fury
Tai Chi II
A Chinese Odyssey I + II
Flirting Scholar
Fong Sai Yuk
Fong Sai Yuk II
High Risk
Last Hero in China

I intended to have the cut off at 1993, but I was fooled by IMDB (I though Full Contact was a 1993 film).

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 03 Jan 2009, 12:41

Forgot about Crime Story and Once Upon A Time In China II and III.
Iron Monkey is a GREAT film.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 03 Jan 2009, 13:00

I think Rumble In The Bronx and Thunderbolt are dreadful

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 03 Jan 2009, 13:15

I really enjoyed Rumble In The Bronx

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 03 Jan 2009, 13:25

Rumble was OK, but really missed a worthy villain and end-fight (obviously, due to Jackie's broken ankle)

Thunderbolt I really enjoyed. It was finally a bit more original than the average Jackie-flick, it actually had a half-decent supporting cast, locations were nice, action was OK, etc etc. I didnt see it as a martial arts flick, or an action flick, but as a good movie with elements from different genres, and for me, it worked. I enjoyed it.

I liked Gorgeous as well. Again, it wasnt your typical Jackie movie, and that just made it all the better.

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 03 Jan 2009, 14:31

I don't think Rumble or Thunderbolt are better films than SPL, but they're entertaining enough in the action stakes.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 03 Jan 2009, 15:42

Obviously, they dont come close to SPL. Hell, the only movie Jackie made that I think is better than SPL, is Drunken Master 2. Jackie does brilliant stunts and did very nice fights (when choreographed by others), but his movies are mostly pretty mediocre, with some being good and a few being almost great.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 03 Jan 2009, 15:47

Well he was 40 when he did that

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 03 Jan 2009, 18:08

HungFist wrote:Heroic Trio was made before Full Contact

No, it wasn't.

Purple Storm haven't seen, but I haven't heard anyone calling it a masterpiece

It's one of the best action movies of the last decade.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 03 Jan 2009, 18:10

These are all better than SPL:

Crime Story
Kung Fu Hustle
Drunken Master II
Iron Monkey
Blade of Fury
Tai Chi II
The Bride with White Hair
Ashes of Time
Gorgeous
Flirting Scholar
Love on Delivery
Black Mask
Bodyguard From Beijing
Fearless
Fist of Legend
Fong Sai Yuk
Fong Sai Yuk II
Last Hero in China
Once Upon a Time in China III
Tai Chi Master

These aren't:

Thunderbolt
Rumble in the Bronx
A Chinese Odyssey I + II
From Beijing With Love
High Risk

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 03 Jan 2009, 19:29

You guys just don't understand great movies :x

SPL was the return of the golden 80's HK action cinema. Shame this comeback didn't last longer than 1 movie.

diceman · Post by **diceman** » 03 Jan 2009, 19:53

Well, "Flash Point" was pretty close. Not greater than "SPL", but still pretty badass and it has that certain oldschool HK-Flair.

Markgway wrote: These aren't:
High Risk

"High Risk" was a treat as well. Immature as hell, sure, but there's also Jet Li kicking ass, a helicopter wreaking havoc inside a hotel lobby and Chingmy Yau, well, just being beautiful, which is enough for her. Love that movie.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 03 Jan 2009, 20:01

HungFist wrote:You guys just don't understand great movies

That's what I've been saying for years!

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 03 Jan 2009, 20:12

I enjoyed "Flash Point".

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Jan 2009, 21:32

Gorgeous is a nice romantic drama almost ruined with completely out of place action. It would've been a stronger movie without it.

It's okay, nothing special.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 04 Jan 2009, 14:05

I actually found Flash Point more enjoyable than SPL for some reason.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 04 Jan 2009, 15:49

Death Note: The Last Name (Japan, 2006) – 3,5/5
I'll start watching japanese mainstream cinema if its this good!!!

Heavenly Forest (Japan, 2006) – 3/5
Cliché ridden sentimental platonic romance in which Aoi Miyazaki is cuter than almost anyone, anywhere, ever. Absolutely charming.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 04 Jan 2009, 16:12

Markgway wrote:Purple Storm haven't seen, but I haven't heard anyone calling it a masterpiece

It's one of the best action movies of the last decade.[/quote]

Worth one watch, its far from a great film in any way from the poor fights and CGI to the silly plot and cheapness of it.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 04 Jan 2009, 16:33

Purple Storm-watched once,sold it on.okish but nothing special imo.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 04 Jan 2009, 16:49

Sadly I still own it

forgot I owned nearly all the HKL dvds when I last did a sale! Dohhh! bet you wont get £2 each now even.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 05 Jan 2009, 00:52

I sold most of my HKL DVDs, but Purple Storm was among the handful I kept.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 05 Jan 2009, 09:36

I still have a load of HKL DVDs