5 Martial Arts Cinema Icons
Martial arts have shaped the action movie genre for almost a century. From Kurosawa’s pioneering debut in 1943 to the 1970s Hong Kong heyday, right up until the present day with the likes of Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings still smashing it at the box office, martial arts continue to impact cinema and moviegoers around the world. Let’s take a look at five of the best martial arts masters of the silver screen.
Bruce Lee
Hong Kong legend Bruce Lee revolutionized the genre like no other. Previous to Lee’s rise to fame, many martial arts movies were considered unrealistic and somewhat laughable. Plus, the genre was only really popular within the Hong Kong and East Asian markets. Bruce Lee changed both those things. Even after his untimely death at just 32 years, The Dragon remains the most influential martial artist of all time.
Michelle Yeoh
Arguably the greatest female star of the genre, Malaysian born Yeoh started her career in beauty pageants. Using skincare products, such as verso super facial serum, helped her cause. For many martial arts professionals, keeping both the body and the skin hydrated is essential, especially after long training sessions and frequent showering. Sticking to a skincare routine after an exhausting day takes plenty of discipline, although as Yeoh’s flawless complexion proves to this day, the rewards are certainly worth it.
Yeoh rose to fame on the Hong Kong action scene alongside Jackie Chan. Renowned for performing her own stunts, she attained international stardom through her role in Tomorrow Never Dies and cemented her status as a celebrated martial artist and actress in Ang Lee’s landmark Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Jean Claude Van Damme
The Mussels from Brussels earned his stripes in a number of cult classics, with his epic kickboxing and karate skills deftly masking his acting ability. With martial arts benchmarks, such as Double Impact and Kickboxer, Van Damme showcases his unique fighting style and trademark moves, establishing his reputation as Europe’s greatest martial artist to grace the screen.
Jackie Chan
Loveable, energetic and mesmerising to watch, Jackie Chan is considered one of the world’s best action heroes. Famed for performing the most daring stunts, this Hong Kong superstar gained notoriety in local hits, Drunken Master and Police Story, before capturing audiences on a global scale. His blend of comedy and martial arts depicted in Shanghai Noon and Rush Hour elevated Chan’s standing to box office icon.
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is yet another product of the sensational Hong Kong marital arts circuit. One of China’s most successful actors, Yen used his exceptional fighting skills to move up the ranks from choreographer to actor and finally moving into directing. His best work can be seen in Iron Monkey, Hero and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
