Okay folks, I compiled a very short list of essential Chinese martial arts films. I have broken them down into two categories and have given a brief synopsis of each. There are of course, many other genres in Chinese cinema--comedy (The Chinese Feast) drama (As Tears Go By), horror (Bio-Zombie) etc., but this list is composed solely of films with some sort of martial arts action in them that should be considered essential viewing for anyone just getting interested in the genre.

FANTASY/WIRE FU GENRE

This is probably my favorite genre and the one that is also the most different from traditional American movie storytelling. The plots usually involve some sort of super-natural element and takes place in a different century (pick one), and other than that…well; understanding the plot isn’t a prerequisite to enjoying the movie (something to keep in mind). It is the characters, action sequences and sub-plots that make the movies so entertaining. Wire –fu is a term used to describe the gravity-defying jumps, kicks and spins displayed so well in films like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.

SWORDSMAN II (1991)
Directed by Stanley Tong and Siu-Tung Ching
Starring Let Li, Brigitte Lin, Michelle Reis and Rosamund Kwan.
Watson Scale: 5
This one is a bit hard to describe… Secret knowledge is contained in an ancient scroll and boy-oh-boy, you might not want to know what the specific instructions are… Great movie but to this day I still can’t figure out specific plot points. Eh, plot-smlot--frenetic action and an odd hint of romance are the highlights here.

CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (2000)
Directed by Ang Lee
Starring ChowYun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi.
Watson Scale: 6.
This one is heavy on plot--something most Hong Kong films do not go in for (note: Ang Lee is Taiwanese). Beautiful story about two pairs of lovers and the obstacles that stand between them. Amazing wire-work and Kung Fu.

If you want to explore this category further, check out THE BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR, 1993, directed by Ronny Yu; with Leslie Cheung and Brigitte Lin; and THE STORM RIDERS, 1998, directed by Wai Keung Lau; with Ekin Cheng and Aaron Kwok. (One note: these two films have more fantasy elements than the martial arts.).

ACTION GENRE

Films set in the present day often involve either a cop or a secret agent. Not much more explanation is needed, though some films have more MA action than others (example: Crime Story, 1993, with Jackie Chan, has very little actually fighting).

POLICE STORY 3: SUPERCOP (1992)
Directed by Stanley Tong
Starring Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung.
Watson Scale: 4
See, the cool things about Hong Kong action movies is that 95% of the time the actual actors do their own stunts. Jackie Chan is good fun as always but the real star here is Michelle Yeoh. Watch as she takes a flying leap on a motorbike onto a moving train (and see, in the outtakes at the end, as she overshoots it--twice.).

Other films to check out: MY FATHER IS A HERO, 1995, directed by Corey Yuen, with Jet Li, Anita Mui and Rongguang Yu; and POLICE STORY 1 AND 2--with Jackie Chan and Maggie Cheung (1985 and 1985 respectively and both directed by Jackie too).

Period action films usually have to do with a martial arts school, a teacher (“Sifu”) there, or with the Japanese occupation of China…

FIST OF LEGEND (1994)
Directed by Gordon Chan
Starring Let Li.
Watson Scale: 5
Li is a Chinese student in Japan. When his former teacher is slain, he returns to China to…well, to kick some ass, what do you think? The fighting and stunts here are incredible and check out the different style of fighting that are showcased throughout the film.

IRON MONKEY (1993)
Directed by Woo-ping Yuen
Starring Donnie Yen and Rongguang Yu.
Watson Scale: 5
The Chinese version of Robin Hood. This film has all the right elements: amazing action AND an easy to follow plot! The two-against-one fight on fiery wooden poles at the end is just totally crazy.

Be sure to catch ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, 1991, directed by Tsui Hark; with Jet Li, Yuen Biao and Rosamund Kwan; THE TAI-CHI MATER, 1993 (AKA Twin Warriors) directed by Woo-ping Yuen; with Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh; and WING CHUN, 1994, directed by Woo-ping Yuen; with Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen.