Osiris3657

Feel free to explain your answer. This isn't so much as best martial artist (easy answer Bruce Lee), but just your favorite based on his films, particular fight scenes, etc.

I worshiped Jackie Chan as a kid, but all the Hollywood shit (The Medallion, The Tuxedo, etc) he's churned out over the last decade has really bummed me out.

Jet Li has always been a favorite as well, lightning quick.

Tony Jaa has really impressed me, he might be #1 after a few more films.

EDIT: Sorry, I mispelled Gordon Liu's name in the poll

Maxflier

Van Damme

mrhan

Seriously? The guy was beat up by Chuck Zito; his own bodyguard.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0957257/


I voted for Bruce even though I do like Donnie Yen and most of those on the poll. Over time those others will just fade away.

resinrats

I find you lack of CHUCK NORRIS disturbing.
-Vader

Osiris3657

Chuck Norris is the most overrated martial artist I've ever seen. Yes I know he's like a x-time world karate champion or whatever, but his fight scenes are embarrassingly poor.

At least the Chuck Norris Facts are hilarious

mattressman

Beat me to it!

Premise

Solid Snake

Are you kidding me? Jaa has no cinematic charisma that all those others do. He brings no and can't command a presence. Yes, I'm sure he can kick all our asses but...even his voice sounds crappy. His films suck, the only thing worth seeing them is his stunts, his fight scenes are ok. And you can only knee jump a guy in the head so many times before it's old. Heaven forbid he makes a film here cuz the guy can't act in Thai, I'm pretty damn sure he can't act in American.

Perkinsun Dzees

Ash Ketchum

You left out Alexander Fu Sheng, who would be my favorite if he was on the list. He starred in umpteen Shaw Bros. classics, including SHAOLIN TEMPLE, SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS, THE CHINATOWN KID, MEN FROM THE MONASTERY, HEROES TWO, FIVE SHAOLIN MASTERS, AVENGING EAGLES, DEADLY BREAKING SWORD, LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF KUNG FU, BOXER REBELLION, and many others. He died in a car accident in July 1983, ten years to the month after Bruce Lee died. His final film, the one he was making when he died, is one of the greatest kung fu movies ever, 8 DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER. Gordon Liu stars in that one as well.

Lastdaysofrain

Yuen Biao does amazing things, he's consistently the on screen martial artist that never fails to impress me and shock me (in a good way)

Jet Li is pretty great and Bruce Lee is up there for his innovation and introducing Chinese Martial Arts to the world, but I find Yuen Biao the most impressive (and probably the most underrated)

naitram

Ralph Machio

Cheato

Had to go with Jet Li.

I really respect Donnie Yen's mastery of the staff (bo), and of course Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee have their own well-deserved multiple reasons to be at the top of the list.

However, IMO, Fearless, the movie about Huo Yuanjia, was amazing, and I thought Jet Li's performance in it was fantastic. Add to that the fact that he uses Tai Chi as part of his martial arts style (albeit at a much higher speed than the retirees out on the beach in the early AM). And, I loved the story about how when they made the movie "The One," test audiences laughed at the fight scenes because they thought they had been artificially sped up. The fight scenes you see in the actual theatrical release of the movie are actually slowed down to look more realistic. I don't know if it's true or not, but it's pretty cool to think so.

Osiris3657

This isn't about their acting or onscreen charisma douchebag, it's about their martial arts skills

The Bus

Name calling. Works wonders to make friends.

Osiris3657

right, because I'm on DVD talk to make friends. Get off your high horse and patronize somewhere else.

Besides, why would I want to be friends with someone who thinks Tony Jaa sucks?

toddly6666

I had to go with Donnie Yen over Jet Li. Donnie has been the key player in most contemporary martial arts classics such as Once upon a time in China II, Iron Monkey, SPL (Kill Zone), Hero, and IP Man. He's also given back more than Jet Li, in which Donnie has done fight choreography for other movies. Although they both arent known for their acting, Donnie is the better actor. Jet Li just comes across as blank and empty even in his good films. Donnie Yen is just cool without acting cool. Jet Li is sort of too cocky. And he's got a whiny annoying voice, but not as bad as Tony Ja's voice. If I had to choose between both of their best acting movies (donnie in IP Man, Jet in Fearless), I would have to go with IP Man as overall more impressive.

Tony Jaa is nothing more than a good stuntman, overrated and he's finished.

superdeluxe

Chuck Norris!

Maxflier

I think Van Damme was drunk off his ass at the time, but who cares? This thread is for everyone's FAVORITE martial artist and I love Van Damme and his movies, I could give a shit if he lost a fight to someone.

fumanstan

Jet Li

mrhan

Well, don't you think your FAVORITE martial artist shouldn't lose fights to people he challenges? Doesn't matter if he's drunk or not; he should back his shit up. Obviously, he couldn't.

Maxflier

I really don't care that much to be honest.

mrhan

That's cool. Neither, do I.

Anyways, why isn't Cung Le on that list. He's been taking bit rolls in movies and could kick the crap out anyone on that list. Bruce would give him a good fight but the rest don't have a chance against him.

islandclaws

Bolo Yueng.

Chong Li! Chong Li! Chong Li!

fumanstan

Who said that your favorite martial artist has to actually be good?