Need advice on HK wire-fu type DVD's
07-08-01, 07:40 PM
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Need advice on HK wire-fu type DVD's
I don't know much about this genre, except that I love the wire-fu stuff in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Matrix. I want to get a couple of DVD's as an intro, and I am currently trying to pick 2 from this list:
Iron Monkey
Fist of Legend
Once Upon a Time in China
Once Upon a Time in China II
Can anyone give me their recommendation of two from this list?
Also, is there any reason I shouldn't buy these from Amazon?
Thanks for the help,
Steve
Iron Monkey
Fist of Legend
Once Upon a Time in China
Once Upon a Time in China II
Can anyone give me their recommendation of two from this list?
Also, is there any reason I shouldn't buy these from Amazon?
Thanks for the help,
Steve
07-08-01, 09:51 PM
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wires
I have seen the movies in your list and own three of them.
If what you are primarily concerned with is wire-fu, then as much as it pains me to say this, leave Fist Of Legend out. It is an awesome film, truly, really, seriously, but doesn't have a huge amount of wire-work. But since, you said you want wires, I would recommend:
Iron Monkey ( the one done by Yuen Woo-Ping, not the older, old-school flick)
Once Upon A Time in China 2
Again, these are strictly if your main concern is for wire-work. You won't be disappointed with any of the flicks on your list, but those are the 2 out of the 4 you listed that IMO have the most/best wire-work, not necessarily which ones are best overall. All of them are really good though. I hope this helps.
If what you are primarily concerned with is wire-fu, then as much as it pains me to say this, leave Fist Of Legend out. It is an awesome film, truly, really, seriously, but doesn't have a huge amount of wire-work. But since, you said you want wires, I would recommend:
Iron Monkey ( the one done by Yuen Woo-Ping, not the older, old-school flick)
Once Upon A Time in China 2
Again, these are strictly if your main concern is for wire-work. You won't be disappointed with any of the flicks on your list, but those are the 2 out of the 4 you listed that IMO have the most/best wire-work, not necessarily which ones are best overall. All of them are really good though. I hope this helps.
07-09-01, 03:46 AM
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DVD Talk Legend
Re: Need advice on HK wire-fu type DVD's
Originally posted by StevieD
I don't know much about this genre, except that I love the wire-fu stuff in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Matrix. I want to get a couple of DVD's as an intro, and I am currently trying to pick 2 from this list:
Iron Monkey
Fist of Legend
Once Upon a Time in China
Once Upon a Time in China II
Can anyone give me their recommendation of two from this list?
Also, is there any reason I shouldn't buy these from Amazon?
Thanks for the help,
Steve
I don't know much about this genre, except that I love the wire-fu stuff in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Matrix. I want to get a couple of DVD's as an intro, and I am currently trying to pick 2 from this list:
Iron Monkey
Fist of Legend
Once Upon a Time in China
Once Upon a Time in China II
Can anyone give me their recommendation of two from this list?
Also, is there any reason I shouldn't buy these from Amazon?
Thanks for the help,
Steve
You may find some useful titles here: OFFICIAL Newbie Help: HK DVD & Discussion - that's what the thread is there for...
To answer your question... Iron Monkey is for sure... Since you're looking for something more along the lines of CTHD, (the newbie help thread covers this), perhaps try Bichunmoo (Korean), Storm Riders, Butterfly & Sword, Fong Sai Yuk 1 & 2 (A.K.A. Jet Li's The Legend 1 and 2), or Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain.
Once Upon a Time in China might not be a good introduction to the genre film - others might disagree though. I'd also suggest that Fist of Legend is awesome, but isn't done with wires. There are tons of wire-fu flicks - and tons of them are good films... hard to know where to start.
07-09-01, 01:22 PM
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StevieD, from your list go with Iron Monkey and Once Upon a Time in China. If you like Once Upon..., then get the next two sequels to it, and if you like Iron Monkey, then try out Wing Chun.
Wirework is a part of many HK action films, particularly a glut of films in the early 90's like Bride With White Hair, Fong Sai Yuk 1&2, Tai Chi 2, Comet, Butterfly and Sword, Deadful Mealody, East is Red, Swordsman 2, Saviour of the Soul, Stormriders, and many more.
Wirework is a part of many HK action films, particularly a glut of films in the early 90's like Bride With White Hair, Fong Sai Yuk 1&2, Tai Chi 2, Comet, Butterfly and Sword, Deadful Mealody, East is Red, Swordsman 2, Saviour of the Soul, Stormriders, and many more.
07-12-01, 03:05 AM
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The two films I most recommend to those who liked Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon are:
Iron Monkey (1993) - be sure to get the 1993 one, not the 1977 HK Kung Fu movie of the same name, which is not bad, but is nowheres as good and doesn't have any wire fu. The 1993 film is directed by the same guy who did the CTHD and Matrix wire fu.
The Bride with White Hair - the story is that the people who were doing the Hercules TV show (the one with Kevin Sorbo) were looking to end the first season with three-parter with a new female character. Then they happened to go and see "The Bride with White Hair" - and patterned their new character after the main character of the HK film. The name of their new character? Xena: Warrior Princess - who was so popular in the 3 episodes that she got her own series.
So, Iron Monkey has the look and feel of CTHD, while The Bride with White Hair has the complex, atmospheric and artistic story line of CTHD.
The DVDs available at Amazon of these 2 films are fine.
BTW, as mentioned by others, Fist of Legend has no wire fu, and furthermore Once Upon A Time in China has only minimal wire fu, and neither its wire fu, nor the overall film is anything like CTHD.
Iron Monkey (1993) - be sure to get the 1993 one, not the 1977 HK Kung Fu movie of the same name, which is not bad, but is nowheres as good and doesn't have any wire fu. The 1993 film is directed by the same guy who did the CTHD and Matrix wire fu.
The Bride with White Hair - the story is that the people who were doing the Hercules TV show (the one with Kevin Sorbo) were looking to end the first season with three-parter with a new female character. Then they happened to go and see "The Bride with White Hair" - and patterned their new character after the main character of the HK film. The name of their new character? Xena: Warrior Princess - who was so popular in the 3 episodes that she got her own series.
So, Iron Monkey has the look and feel of CTHD, while The Bride with White Hair has the complex, atmospheric and artistic story line of CTHD.
The DVDs available at Amazon of these 2 films are fine.
BTW, as mentioned by others, Fist of Legend has no wire fu, and furthermore Once Upon A Time in China has only minimal wire fu, and neither its wire fu, nor the overall film is anything like CTHD.
Last edited by HepDude; 07-12-01 at 03:08 AM.
07-12-01, 05:48 AM
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If you want something similar to CTHD I would suggest getting a Korean film called 'Bichunmoo'. I got mine over at DDDHouse and have been very impressed with it, albeit a widescreen version...
Pete
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07-13-01, 03:21 AM
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All the films already mentioned are excellent films to try out (especially Iron Monkey!!!!).
If you like that ultra-high-production-values vibe of CTHD and The Matrix--that slick, surreal atmosphere--I'd really have to recommend these films directed by Andrew Lau:
The Duel
A Man Called Hero
Storm Riders
His films have really interesting, organic looking special effects and wirework that are very appealing to me. I always recommend "The Duel" and "A Man Called Hero".
-Mhat
If you like that ultra-high-production-values vibe of CTHD and The Matrix--that slick, surreal atmosphere--I'd really have to recommend these films directed by Andrew Lau:
The Duel
A Man Called Hero
Storm Riders
His films have really interesting, organic looking special effects and wirework that are very appealing to me. I always recommend "The Duel" and "A Man Called Hero".
-Mhat
