Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge Of The Sith (2006)

Anakin Skywalker/Obi Wan Kenobi vs Count Dooku: 3.75/5


Obi Wan Kenobi vs General Grievous: 3/5


Mace Windu and other Jedi vs Palpatine: 3/5


Yoda vs Palpatine: 3.5/5


Obi Wan Kenobi vs Anakin Skywalker: 4.25/5




I'm risking credibility here, but I actually enjoyed this movie. It's not a good movie, but I found a lot to like here. Maybe it's because the other prequels lowered my expectations so much that I don't even think of this in the context of a Star Wars movie, but rather as a straight up action movie. And as action movies go, this delivered.

Sure, Hayden Christensen is still terrible. But he does less talking and more lightsaber dueling in this movie. Yes, him and Padme still have no chemistry. But there's less scenes of them together in this movie.

This movie has by far the most lightsaber action of all the Star Wars movies (as of this writing). And you can tell they really went for it. The final fight between Anakin and Obi Wan is truly epic. I know people want to resist giving it its due because the prequels, as an entity, has hurt something close to them. I have no such attachment to Star Wars. I can tell you, from a choreography and performance standpoint, it is definitively the best lightsaber fight in the entire franchise. I'm including Clone Wars in that, as well. Now, that doesn't make Darth Vader looking up and screaming, "NOOOOO!" 5 minutes later ok. That's not ok, that was stupid. But that end fight is still amazing. And the score is terrific too.


Look, this is not a great film, but it is the best of the prequels by far. If you want action, you'll dig this. If you want a well told story with great characters, what makes you think the prequels would start that now? Thumbs in the middle on this one. Mildly recommended.

Star Wars Episode 2: Attack Of The Clones

Obi Wan Kenobi vs Jango Fett: 1/5


Obi Wan Kenobi vs Count Dooku: 2.75/5


Anakin Skywalker vs Count Dooku: 3.25/5


Yoda vs Count Dooku: 3.5/5



This movie is garbage. The worst of the prequels. Even though there is more action in this than "Phantom", it doesn't reach the heights of the lightsaber duel in that film. Although, there is less Jar Jar Binks.

But what there is more of, and what the movie is centered around, is the love story between Padme and Anakin. I hate it. It's one of the worst love stories of all time. They have less than no chemistry. Natalie Portman is usually good, but in every scene with Anakin here she's terrible. And Hayden Christensen is even worse. His casting is one of the worst castings of all time.  I'm not exaggerating, I can't think of worse love stories or casting as I type this. Truly awful.

The lightsaber fights at the end are pretty fun, but not enough to make up for the atrocity that is the rest of this movie. "Phantom" was boring, but this movie was aggressively bad. Skip it.

Rocky II (1979)

Rocky vs Apollo: 4.25/5


This fight's as good as the first. I loved the story of Rocky refusing to stay down while all Apollo wanted to do was keep him down. It wasn't enough for Apollo to win, he needed to knock him out. The tears on the face of Duke when he's yelling at Apollo "Stay away from him!" is something I only really noticed on this viewing, but it speaks volumes.

An all time classic finish, as well. Rocky wins the title with heart and determination. Highly recommended.

Rocky (1976)

Rocky vs Apollo: 4.25/5


Man, what a goddamned great fight that is at the end. Rocky's fighting spirit after his eyes are nearly swelled shut, while Apollo has broken ribs and goes in to finish him...great great stuff. This is still the best film in the whole franchise, because the story of a valiant loss in undertold in sports movies but has even more impact on the viewer. Highly Recommended.

Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003)

Ting vs Thugs: 1.5/5



Chase scene: 3.5/5



Ting vs Big Bear: 2.75/5



Ting vs Toshiro: 3.75/5



Ting vs Mad Dog: 3.5/5



Ting vs Saming: 3/5



Ting/Humlae vs Thugs: 3.5/5



Ting vs Cave Guards: 2.5/5



Ting vs Thugs w/ weapons: 3.75/5



Ting vs Thugs: 4/5



Ting vs Saming/last Thugs: 4.25/5





The genesis of modern Thai action cinema, Ong Bak is a ton of fun. This is basically a 90 minute demo for Tony Jaa, but man does he deliver. One mild complaint with the fighting in the film is that it relies on big moves a lot rather than exchanges. That being said, Jaa's got a ton of great moves. There's every kind of elbow, knee and kick you can think of in this movie.


There's also a really cool sequence where Jaa fights some thugs while his own legs are on fire. It's incredible, and a practical effect unlike some of his later (and shittier) work.

If you're unfamiliar with Jaa or Muay Thai cinema in general, this is the place to start. Recommended.

The Big Boss (1971)

Hsu vs Thugs: 2/5


Hsu (and Cheng) vs Thugs: 2.25/5


The Big Boss sparring: 1/5


Hsu & Pei vs Thugs: 2.5/5


Workers vs Thugs: 2/5


Cheng vs Thugs: 2.5/5


Ice Factory Fight: 3.25/5


Cheng vs Thugs: 3/5


Cheng vs The Big Boss: 3.5/5



Bruce Lee is far and away what carries this movie. This was his first film, and he absolutely kills it. All of the mannerisms and battle cries started here. The badassery, the charisma, the speed of his attacks...absolutely incredible.

The fighting in this movie is just ok, but if you're watching this, it's to watch Bruce Lee. And you should. Recommended.

Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Qui Qon vs Darth Maul: 2/5


Qui Qon/Obi Wan vs Darth Maul: 4/5



This is not a good movie. It is boring. Except for that last lightsaber fight, which is among the best in the whole series thus far. Just watch that. Besides that, skippable.

Kung Fu Killer, aka Kung Fu Jungle (2014)

Prison Fight: 3.5/5


Tam King-Yiu vs Fung Yu-Sau: 2.5/5


Wong Chit vs Fung Yu-Sau: 3/5


Hung Yip vs Fung Yu-Sau: 3.5/5


Skirmish at the docks: 2.75/5


Sinn Ying vs Fung Yu-Sau: 3/5


Hahou Mo vs Fung Yu-Sau: 4/5




This movie is a mixed bag. As a movie it's mediocre. But the fights are pretty good. Wang Baoqiang, who plays the villain, is excellent in this. Which is a good thing since he does 90% of the fighting in this movie. I do wish they gave a more compelling backstory for him. He has a bit of clubfoot going on, which makes his impressive fighting skills even more impressive.

As a modern martial arts film, it's fairly paint by numbers as far as storytelling goes. The thing that stands out is the choreography and editing during the fight sequences. It's eye grabbing stuff. At times the moves performed feel a little too magical and out of place for a modern film, The real bread and butter in the fights is the speed and fluidity of the longer exchanges.

Also, I'm still waiting for a movie where Xin Yu kicks ass and isn't immediately killed, but that's a side point.

If you're a Donnie Yen fan, you'll dig this movie. As a martial arts film, I can only give it a Mild Recommendation.

Five Shaolin Masters (1974)

Opening Chase/Fights: 2.5/5



Tea House Fight: 2.75/5



Cai/Rebels vs Bao/Manchus: 3/5



Li/Rebels vs Zhang/Manchus: 3/5



Jiang/Fang vs Shan/Manchus: 3/5



Ma Chao-Hsing vs 2 Manchus: 2.75/5



Ma Chao Sing/Rebel vs Ma Fu Yi: 2.5/5



Prison Break: 3.25/5



Ma/Li Sparring: 2.25/5



End Fight: 4/5



I really dug this movie. It shows its age in parts, but there is some screen fighting in this that holds up to this day. Also, I was very invested in the stakes of the film. It follows a very simple structure, but executes it well. We see a lot of younger guys here that would go on to become stars in the 80's, like Leung Kar Yan (Beardy), Fung Hak On, and even a cameo by Gordon Liu. Of the 5 leads, Sheng Fu steals the show as Ma Chao Sing, he's got a Jackie Chan-like charisma to him. Admittedly I'm not as well versed in knowledge of martial arts actors in the 70's, besides Bruce Lee, so although these men were all top stars in this period they were new to me.

Anyway, there were no blow away fights but the final fight is great and satisfying when watched in context of the film. If you watched it as a standalone clip on youtube it wouldn't hold the same weight. There have been faster and more fluid fight scenes since then, but the finale carries emotional weight and displays various martial arts styles as a 5 part set piece that later films would adopt and follow.

Recommended.

Heroes Of The East (1978)

Tao vs Koda: 2.25/5


Tao vs Koda: 2.75/5


Tao vs Kendo Master: 3/5


Drunken Master Fight: 2/5


 Tao vs Karate Master: 3.25/5


Tao vs Nunchaku/Tonfa Master: 3.5/5


Tao vs Sojutsu Master: 3.5/5


Tao vs Sai Master: 3.25/5


Tao vs Judo Master: 2.5/5


Tao vs Takeno Round 1: 3/5


Tao vs Takeno Round 2: 3.75/5



I really dug this movie. It was kind of revolutionary for its time in that most Chinese kung fu movies portrayed Japanese people as awful monsters, whereas in this movie they are mostly honorable and fight in the spirit of sport. I also really enjoyed the variety of martial arts employed. There are no blow away fights but nothing is bad. And there's some really good stuff in here. Recommended.