Hong Kong had a prolific pre-1970s film industry, but it was the supremely talented and determined Bruce Lee who brought Hong Kong film to the international stage. This tiny island nation has been integral to the introduction of the martial arts genre to the rest of the world. One look at Uma Thurman's yellow jumpsuit in the Kill Bills is enough to show us this influence is still alive and very much kicking. After Lee's death in 1973 the industry lost some of its momentum and stuck to the tried and true chop socky formula, but by the 1980s a new talent was emerging in the form of John Woo, inventor of so-called 'balletic gunplay'. This style of shooting shoot-outs captured the imaginations of many young American film makers and emerges in films as diverse as 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'The Matrix'. The martial arts genre was reinvigorated by talents such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li who wanted to introduce more story into the action, and in recent years film maker Wong Kar Wai has challenged what it means to be an HK film, steering clear of Kung Fu and concentrating on more personal, quirky stories. Undoubtedly there is more to see from this exciting port of call... Right: There can be no more an iconic figure in the martial arts world, than the master himself, the late, great Bruce Lee.
Village girls have been mysteriously going missing. The elders request Wong Fei Hung (Jet Li) to investigate. Wong does not want to get involved, but,... Read more
Manufacturing just fifty grams of meth in China will earn you a death sentence, and Timmy Choi (Louis Koo) has manufactured tons of it. After a violen... Read more
A non-stop action Kung Fu classic of betrayal and violent retribution, this film delivers outrageous Shaw Brothers' martial arts mayhem at it's best.... Read more
Aka "The Seven Brothers Meet Dracula". Vampire tracker Van Helsing (Peter Cushing), with the aid of a team of martial arts experts, trek to 19th centu... Read more
Jet Li's first and last film as a director tells a story of foreign oppression as American G.I.s invade China, ganging up on kickboxing champ, Jet. W... Read more
In the history of kung fu, dozens of weapons have been developed to meet practically any combat need. 18 primary weapons include basics like the staff... Read more
"The King of Masks" tells a tale steeped in ancient tradition, simultaneously challenging the socio-sexual inequity still plaguing China today. On the... Read more
Charismatic Hong Kong comedy legend Stephen Chow's ('Shaolin Soccer') frenetically paced martial arts spoof is a delirious mix of quickfire gags, surr... Read more
This was the first Hong Kong- Kung Fu action film to be shot in mainland China, and also Jet Li's first major film, 18 year-old Jet Li brings his incr... Read more
Bo (Andy Lau) and Li (Rene Liu) play a pair of expert grifters who have just amassed a large wad of cash, prompting Li to say she wants out of the biz... Read more