For western audiences, there are also those websites which have such films in English or with English captioning and subtitles. It would be also reasonable to say that the popularity of Kung Fu or martial arts oriented material and syllabi within school programs, in dance routines, with dojos and gyms and other organizations all over the world, are as a result of the appetite which the west has developed from Kung Fu movies over the years.
Voices going faster than mouths and interesting sounds
One aspect of most of the Kung Fu films that I have watched, of which i am appreciative, is the mix of blood-letting and revenge which is balanced by satire, comedy and irony. One unmistakable feature which has become stereotypical of those films made for Eastern audiences at first but later remastered for the west, is the fact that the voice in English never really matches the mouth of the speaking character.
The distinctive sound effects for killing scenes, deft kicks and punches, and sound tracks for introspective and reflective scenes and asides are most times befitting and commendable.
Some great martial arts movies to watch
Among the films that first got me interested in Kung Fu movies are:
- The Five Deadly Venoms
- Ring of Fire
- Iron Monkey
- Shaolin vs. Lama
- Fists of Bruce Lee
- Enter the Dragon
- Fighting Mad
- The Snake, the Tiger, the Crane
- Shadow Ninja
- Five Fingers of Death
- Ten Fingers Of Death
- 36th Chamber of Shaolin
- Big Trouble in Little China
- Fists of White Lotus
- Kung Fu
Stereotypes about kung fu films
Kung fu films do not match everyone's tastes for movies for more than one reason. The sometimes graphic violence or the possibly cliched plots that many typical kung fu movies present, are some of the underlined reasons for the aversion displayed by some persons in that regard. For the more outgoing person however, kung fu movies and by extension martial arts films and packed with thrills, action, intrigue and great adventure. Kung fu films are in nature more than mere films, but actually are based in cultural packaging.
Facts about kung fu films
Classic Chinese kung fu films are always based on an historical context. Some of the movies are also about heroic figures and legendary characters past and present whom are valued within Chinese society and culture. Interestingly, kung fu movies have a great deal of significance to persons who are associated with one form of martial arts or another. The practice scenes and great fighting displays characteristic of kung fu films may also inspire children and some adults to take martial arts lessons.
Source
- Kung Fu movies (n.d.) Retrieved from WatchKungFu 17/03/2011.
Pedro Whyte - I possess keen analytical skills and creativity along with an enviable writing talent. I can take on any professional writing task.
