Ip Man 3 (2015, 2016)

Cheung vs Fighter: 2/5


Ip Man vs Thugs: N/R


School Fight: 4/5


Cheung vs Tin: 2.75/5


Shipyard Fight: 4/5


Ip Man vs Thai Boxer: 4/5


Ip Man vs Frank (Mike Tyson): 3.75/5


Cheung Fight Montage: 2.5/5


Ip Man vs Cheung: 4.5/5


Man I loved this film. I kind of thought the Ip Man films would go the way of the Rocky films where they would just get cheesier and lose focus, while remaining entertaining. I mostly thought that due to the inclusion of Mike Tyson. But this might've been the most grounded movie of all of them.

There's a ton of great action in this one and a lot of great themes. There's a lot of focus on Ip Man and his wife's relationship, and I really dug that. I feel their relationship always played 3rd or 4th fiddle to Ip Man's quests but here it's highlighted throughout the film. A lot of emotional depth here.

The Tyson fight scene over delivered. I was expecting it to be the worst thing in the whole trilogy and it was surprisingly good, reminiscent of Bruce Lee and Kareem-Abdul Jabbar from Game Of Death. Tyson threw in some really cool boxing head movement which made his character seem more dynamic and cinematically eye pleasing.

The finale sees the one thing this entire trilogy had been missing. A big time Wing Chun vs Wing Chun fight. And it delivers. I'd probably rank it in the top 3 fights of the entire trilogy, and arguably #1. It's a classic.

Loved this movie. Highly recommended.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Avengers vs Crossbones n Crew: 3.5/5


Cap/Bucky vs Panther/Cops: 3.75/5


Bucky vs The World: 3.75/5


Airport Scene: 4.75/5


Iron Man vs Cap/Bucky: 4/5




This movie is excellent. As far as action goes, the airport scene is the best action scene in the history of superhero films. That's no hyperbole, I think that's going to be universally agreed on. That scene alone is worth the price of admission. And yet, every other action scene is good to great. In terms of action, this film can't be beat.

But I love it as a movie too. The characterization, the performances...this is an all around excellent film. The Russo brothers are masters of their craft. I'm not even a comic book fan, but between Spiderman, Black Panther and Ant-Man there were so many fun new interactions between these characters. And everyone was made to look good in this movie, everyone had something to do. Even Scarlet witch!

I can't decide if this or Avengers is the best MCU movie ever. They're both in my top 3 superhero movies of all time as it stands.

I love this movie. Highly recommended.

Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens (2015)

Fin vs Storm Trooper: 2.5/5


Kylo Ren vs Fin: 2.5/5


Kylo Ren vs Rey: 3/5



Look, no one is going to watch this movie based on my recommendation. Everyone reading this has seen it, I'm sure. This was a good flick, I liked it. The lightsaber fights were solid, if nothing special. I enjoyed Kylo Ren and Rey, although Rey was definitely overpowered. Maybe the most OP force user ever. And the Raid guys were wasted in a dumb sequence.

But I enjoyed the movie overall. Recommended.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Westley vs Inigo: 4.5/5


Westley vs Fezzik: DUD


Inigo vs Guards/Count Rugen: 3/5




This is one of my all time favorite movies. The duel between Westley and Inigo is classic stuff, and serves as a basis for how I view fight scenes in film generally. Inigo's revenge against Rugen, though not a technically great fight, is brilliantly satisfying.


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Not for the fights, just as a movie.

Deadpool (2016)

Deadpool vs Thugs in Car: 3/5



Wade vs Francis: 2.75/5



Deadpool vs Thugs Montage: 3.25/5



Colossus vs Angel Dust: 3/5



Deadpool vs Thugs: 2.75/5



Deadpool vs Ajax: 3.25/5



I really dug this movie. It's the most watchable superhero movie since Avengers, I thought. Action was solid, comedy was on point. Reynolds brought it. It probably would've been my favorite movie for a while if I were 16. As is, it's still quite great.

Recommended.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 12: "The Dark At The End Of The Tunnel" (2016)

Young Elektra vs Dudes: 3.5/5


Elektra vs Stick: 2.5/5


Elektra/Daredevil/Stick vs Hand: 3/5


Daredevil vs Hand in Tunnel: 2.5/5


Daredevil vs Hand: 3/5


Daredevil/Elektra vs Hand: 2.75/5


Daredevil vs Nobu: 3/5




A lot of good fighting in this episode. The character element of Matt having to learn to track their breath was really cool, too. He can't just run through the Hand like red shirts. They adapted to him and he had to adapt in turn. Really dug that.

Stick is awesome. This cannot be debated.

Elektra's became a great character as well. She was great when she was first introduced, then cooled off in the middle there. But she's been great in both this and last episode.

On a side note has Karen Page ever not been in danger this season? She's been almost murdered about a half dozen times in the past 5 episodes, it feels like.

Anyway, I've loved this season.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 13: "A Cold Day In Hell's Kitchen" (2016)

Daredevil/Elektra vs Hand: 2.5/5



Daredevil/Elektra vs Hand/Nobu: 3.25/5



What a great fucking show. That rooftop fight felt really epic at the start, but it kind of made no sense that those other ninjas standing around didn't help Nobu. I really dug it, though.

Elektra better come back. I was very into her character especially in the last 2 episodes.

No 4 star fights this season but a lot of good fights. Probably gonna make a list of the best fights in Daredevil thus far. I like lists.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 11: ".380" (2016)

Daredevil vs The Hand: 3.5/5


Punisher vs Henchmen: 3.25/5


Daredevil vs Punisher: 2/5





Another great episode, highlighted by The Punisher being a total badass.

Also, Madame Gao is back! That's awesome.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 10: "Man In The Box" (2016)

Elektra vs Assassin: 3.5/5




This may very well be my favorite 1 on 1 fight in the show thus far. It's well lit, the stuntwork is good, the progression of the fight is solid and logical. And we have some cool moves.

My one gripe is that it had the cliche "stab a guy with the knife he's holding" ending, which happens in fight scenes way more often than is probable. Still though, great stuff here.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 9: "7 Minutes In Heaven" (2016)

Castle vs Inmates: 3.5/5


Castle vs Fisk: 2/5


Daredevil vs Nobu: 3.25/5



Some real good fighting in this one. Especially the prison fight, which is the first well lit fight of the series.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 8: "Guilty As Sin" (2016)

Elektra, Daredevil, Stick vs Ninjas: 2.25/5


Murdock vs Ninja: 3.25/5


Stick's back! Now all the pieces are in place. This is another great episode, though the opening fight is muddled in a lot of darkness.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 7: "Semper Fidelis" (2016)

Daredevil & Elektra vs Yakuza: 3.25/5


Daredevil vs Yakuza: 2.25/5


I love this goddamn show.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 5: "Kinbaku" (2016)

Daredevil & Elektra vs Yakuza Assasins: 3.5/5


Daredevil & Elektra vs yakuza Security: 2/5


This episode has my second favorite fight of the show thus far. Not just a bunch of red shirts, but some goons with some level of skill.

I really dug this episode. Elektra is so great.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 4: "Penny And Dime" (2016)

Daredevil & Punisher vs Irish Thugs: 2.75/5


Good episode. Loved how in the fight Daredevil prevented Punisher from killing people. Good stuff.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 3: "New York's Finest" (2016)

Daredevil vs Dogs Of Hell: 3.75/5



I really liked this episode, except for Foggy's monologue that stopped the gangsters from fighting. That felt contrived. But at least Rosario Dawson is back!

We also got the best fight of the season thus far. I think this was supposed to be this season's equivalent to the hallway fight in "Cut Man" from season 1. While this was not quite as good as that, it was still very good. Long takes, good choreography and a real sense of danger for our hero.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 2: "Dogs To A Gunfight" (2016)

Daredevil vs Punisher: 3/5


Great episode. I think I liked the fight from episode 1 a little better. And they're clearly trying to write Foggy as someone who matters. So far so good, this season is rolling.

Daredevil Season 2 Episode 1: "Bang" (2016)

Daredevil vs Punisher: 3/5


Good episode, I love how we're not messing around and getting straight into the Punisher action. I'm in for this season.

Project A II (1987)

Dragon vs Cops: 3.25/5


Dragon & Crew vs Thugs: 4.25/5


Dragon vs Tiger & henchman: 3.75/5


Pirates Chasing Dragon/Chung: 4/5


Finale: 4.25/5



What a great film. Recommended.

Police Story 3: Supercop (1992)

Chan vs Wang: 3.5/5


Chan vs Guards: 3.25/5


Restaurant Fight: 3.25/5


Train Fight: 3/5



The Police Story franchise gets gradually weaker over each installment. This is the third in the series, and it's still pretty damn great. Though there are no blow away fights like in the first 2, the fighting that it has is solid and the action scenes are larger in scale and scope.

This is the first film in the series Jackie didn't direct. It does have a different feel than the first 2. The other new thing about this one is that it has Michelle Yeoh. She's great and steals the movie at multiple points. She pulls off a stoic, badass yet not invulnerable female action star like we don't see much of anymore save for a Furiosa. She also plays off of Jackie's character very well.

Watching the outtakes in the credits is always great fun too. These stunts were no joke. Great action.

I dig this movie. Recommended.

Fist Of Legend (1994)

Chen vs Karate Students: 3/5


Ting vs Ngai: 3/5


Chen vs Dojo Students: 4/5


Chen vs Akugatawa: 3.5/5


Battle At Jingwu: 3.75/5


Chen vs Ting: 4.75/5


Chen vs Funakochi: 4.75/5


Ting vs Fujita: 3.75/5


Chen vs Fujita: 5/5



One of the greatest martial arts films ever made. Yuen Woo Ping, one of the best fight choreographers ever, was at the peak of his game here. This is not only his, but also Jet Li's magnum opus. The final fight is one of my favorite fights of all time, an easy 5 stars. I can't say enough good things about this masterpiece. Just go watch it.

HIGHLY Recommended.

Armor Of God (1986)

Jackie vs Natives: 1.75/5


Jackie vs Monks: 4.75/5


Jackie vs Assassins: 4/5




This is a great action film. Not in the upper echelon of Jackie's movies, but still great nonetheless. Jackie fighting the monks is one of the best group fights you'll ever see.

Recommended.

Drive (1997)

Opening Fight: 3/5


Bar Fight: 2.5/5


Handcuff Fight: 2.75/5


Motel Fight: 3.75/5


Garage Fight: 4/5


Toby/Malik vs Thugs/Bikers: 2.75/5


Toby vs Advanced Model: 4.5/5



What a great movie. Ok, so it's cheesy, the acting's not very good and it's not very well written. But it's still great.

Mark Dacascos' screen fighting was so good in this. The stunt work and choreography were both on point. Creative martial arts action sequences. And wire work that didn't annoy me.

The final fight feels so epic. It hits all of the cliche "final fight" beats but does it so well. This came out before The Matrix and while it's not in the same league as The Matrix as a film, as a martial arts movie it's quite comparable. Really good work there.

I dig this movie. Recommended.

Ip Man 2 (2010)

Ip Man vs Wong: 2.75/5


Ip Man vs 3 Dudes: 2.5/5


Wong vs Martial Artist: 2.75/5


Ip Man/Wong vs Gang: 3.25/5


Ip Man vs Law: 2.25/5


Ip Man vs Cheng: 3/5


Ip Man vs Hung: 4/5


Twister vs Hung: 3.75/5


Ip man vs Twister: 4.25/5



This is a great film. Ip Man is Donnie Yen's best role. Good fighting throughout, with 2 great fights that make the whole film worthwhile.

It's kind of hilarious how evil the foreigners act. This is a very "Ra Ra China!" movie. Though that's a fairly common trope among Chinese martial arts films, it was especially noticeable in this.

The final fight is so great. I really dig the music backing it. The choreography blending the styles together, Ip man overcoming the odds, using Sammo's moves...really well done. I'm also a huge fan of limb destruction in fight scenes, so Ip Man's comeback was especially cool to me.

As good as the first movie. Recommended.

Unlucky Stars (2016, or possibly earlier)

Josh vs Stan: 2.75/5


Church Fight: 4/5


Josh/Ken vs Muggers: 3/5


Tomas vs Thugs: 2.5/5


Josh/Ken vs Marty: 3.25/5


Rehab House Fight: 3.25/5


Josh vs Rich: 4/5


Ken vs Vic: 3.75/5


David vs Sam: 4/5


Josh/Ken vs Kyle: 3.5/5



I really dug this movie. It's as good an 80's Hong Kong tribute film as you'll find.

Let's start with the obvious. The fight choreography and execution are on point. The thing I love about these indy martial arts films is their clear devotion to making great fight scenes. Watching Dennis fight Manny is a dream fight for me. They're two of my favorite active screen fighters. I believe this is their first screen battle. And it's my favorite fight in the movie (Josh vs Rich, as scored above).

Fighting aside, this is a very enjoyable movie. Dennis and Ken's chemistry is great. I really liked Vlad as the noble overlooked stuntman. It's such a perfect hero for this type of film. I loved how Dennis, Ken and Vlad were clearly set up as the modern Jackie, Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung. Sari Sabella and Steve Yuen are quite funny. Jose Montesinos carries a lot of the emotional weight of the film. Sam Hargrave kills it as the villain. He's probably the most charismatic performance.

I do wish Shawn Bernal was in this more. He's awesome.

There's a lot of commentary going on in this movie about the entertainment industry. And how it's a bunch of malarkey. As someone in the business myself, I relate and find it awesome.

I remember Vlad talking about how the finale was where this movie was going to shine. It certainly did peak there, which is when a martial arts movie should. It was very reminiscent of the old 3 Dragon films where they would each have to take on a different bad guy. I dug that.

Now to some minor qualms I have with the movie. I don't think there are any Fight Of The Year contenders. Every fight in this movie is good (not counting the fight scenes in the movies within the movie, which I didn't grade) to great. But there's nothing I would call excellent. Now...excellent fights are hard to find. So I'm not bashing this movie at all, clearly. I think it just goes to show how hard it is to make an enduring classic fight scene. Dennis vs Manny comes the closest but I wish it had been longer.

Maybe part of my disappointment is me looking forward to watching this movie for 4 years. And maybe part of my disappointment is just that it's not Contour, which is the best indy martial arts film ever. Sure, this is a more complete and mature film than Contour, but the action never peaks as high as Contour does. That being said, Unlucky Stars has got to be my 2nd favorite indy martial arts film of all time.

There were also a couple of editing instances I didn't like. Hollywood style editing on hits rather than Hong Kong style. Again, this happens maybe 3 times in the entire film, so these are minor complaints.

I really liked how they built to the fights at the end. Manny and Roy's characters wanted a piece of Dennis and Ken from early on and you could tell. Really made it satisfying to see them throw down later.

The finale is also edited really well. The transitions between the showdowns are great. As far as martial arts film finales go you probably won't see a better one this year.

This is my favorite martial arts film since The Raid 2. Highly recommended.

Chinese Zodiac a.k.a. CZ12 a.k.a. Armor of God 3 (2012)

Dock fight: 1.75/5


Team JC vs Pirates: 2.25/5


JC vs Vulture: 4.25/5


JC vs henchmen: 3.75/5


Katie vs Bonnie: 3/5



This is not the best Jackie Chan movie ever. It's not even in the top 30, probably. It does have its fun moments, though. It's better than most of the Hollywood stuff he's done. And at least it's a true Jackie Chan Hong Kong film. So for that alone, I enjoyed it.

There isn't a whole lot of fighting in the first 75% of it. The fighting at the tail end of the movie is great though, and is true Jackie Chan creative and at times comedic choreography. There's also a fight between two female characters that is pretty cool. This 15 minute chunk is by far the highlight of the film. Many other plot points and action sequences just don't click and the comedy is very hit or miss.

Mildly Recommended. VERY Mildly.