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Some people get excited at the idea of synchronized swimming. Some people get really excited at the idea of dace choreography. And that’s all well and good, but me? I get really excited at the idea of a good fight. Not real life fights mind you. No, those are terrible. I’m talking about the fake ones you see in the movies. The same movies where the guy jumps twenty feet in the air, commences two back flips, and lands just in time to deliver an elbow drop to an unsuspecting opponent. Yea, I’m talking about the usually unrealistic- but so good you momentarily suspend your belief- fight scenes. Not dissimilar from dance, there’s just something about the power, speed, agility, and grace exhibited in a good fight scene that’s enthralling. And not dissimilar from synchronized swimming, a good fight scene is all the better when accompanied by some well paced and well themed background music. So, what am I currently watching? Nothing much, I’m just watching some of the best fights scenes to grace the silver screen with their presence.
This probably isn’t the first fight scene that comes to mind when you think about The Matrix, but that’s not for lack of quality. The Matrix was filled with great fight scenes. Unfortunately, this gem usually goes unnoticed. This fight is so much fun to watch. Man, do I wish someone could load programs into me, so I could fight like that.
This fight scene is pure magic. It’s also one of my all time favorites. The technique shown off in this scene is gorgeous. How many takes did they do before they reached the version seen here? It’s really a beautiful scene. Words can’t do it justice.
Forbidden Kingdom should’ve done better. C’mon, it’s Jackie Chan versus Jet Li. What more do you need to sell you on the movie?
The best fight scene in the entire Matrix trilogy is right here. Don’t tell me you didn’t get shivers don’t your spine when Neo ripped that metal pole out of the ground and proceeded to disburse Agent Smith and his army of clones.
Here is a series of great fight scenes from Jet Li taken from the movie Fearless.
If you’re familiar with Stephen Chow’s work, you know his movies don’t usually take themselves seriously. However, when it comes to the martial arts aspects of his movies, Chow doesn’t hold back. Great fight scene right here.
I wish this scene were longer, but unfortunately it isn’t. There are a lot of great fight scenes in this movie, but, for some reason, this was the only one I could find. If you’re interested, the name of the movie is Shaolin, and it’s on Netflix. (P.S. you might recognize the actor playing the monk as the same person who played one of the three “heroes” in the Kung Fu Hustle video).
-Shayne McGregor