I've complied a list of films with fight scenes. I've rated the fight scenes in the films on a scale from 0-5 stars. It's entirely subjective to my opinion, and I rate based on choreography, storytelling, performance and acting.
So now you know which movies to watch to get some good ole' action. Enjoy!
Andy Long vs Khoi Chau: 3/5 Andy Long vs Can Aydin: 4.5/5 That 80's Hong Kong style fight Andy and Can pull off shows that they would've fit in nicely back then. It's so good. And the tribute to Millionaire's Express at the end is terrific. And you get to see Andy do a Jackie Chan Police Story stunt during the credits. What's not to love?
One of the best LBP fights ever. And that's saying something. Shawn Bernal's never looked better. That's also saying something, as Shawn is one of my favorite screen fighters of all time. This is also a top contender for greatest 2 vs 1 fight of all time. Interesting dynamic in that there are 2 good guys. I guess my only complaint about the short is I wish there was more to establish them as the good guys. I was rooting for Shawn through most of it. But the choreography and exchanges still run through my mind sometimes, it's so on point. Excellent stuff.
One of my favorite Vlad shorts of all time. And that's saying something. The use of dress color is evocative yet effective in establishing the characters, who never speak. Aaron Toney, the badass big boss in red. Mickey's heroine is easy to root for and Amy carries herself with a real sense of self confidence. I also appreciated Xin's mini boss character, clearly a lover of violence and challenging fights. I do wish I had a little more back story on what is going on, exactly. But the storytelling is simple and told well through the fighting. Great stuff.
Arcqeo vs Vanessa: N/R A classic 3 for all turns into an exciting 4 way fight with racial implications. This is a really fun short film, with great action. The second fight is great too it's just too short for me to rate any higher. The characters are fun and there's also a great motorcycle kick spot. Great stuff.
These are great. Caitlin carries herself very well in these, exuding an aura of physical dominance. Mickey is always so easy to root for. Her small stature yet clear ability serves well for the plucky underdog character. Gui's character is great too, as the boss who's too strong to break a sweat on anyone, with an artifact of power, his white umbrella. Very anime, I dig it. I want more.
Number 1 vs Number 2: 4/5
You know, it's weird. Shawn vs Manny is great, and I can tell they tried to make their fight as good as possible. I just feel like they have a better 1 on 1 fight in them. They're LBP's best, but I feel there were certain things about the fight that could've been better. Their offensive transitions didn't really utilize counters, more just the other one not blocking. And a lot of the choreo felt basic, for guys of such high caliber
I don't want to be a negative Nancy on this. I gave it 4/5, it's still great. It's beautifully shot, backdropped with great music and location. The speed and power of the hits sold well. And Manny's character arc through the fight is a well told story. I still feel these 2 have a better fight in them, though. I shall wait for it patiently.
If you're unfamiliar with LBP, this is still a dope place to start.
Man I wish Manny vs Jay had gone longer. It does make however Manny's character of Roberto, the silent assassin, look strong, that he beat a legitimate fighter that quickly. It really sets up the final showdown between Daniel and Roberto nicely...except we never actually get it due to the project being unfinished :(
Shawn's fight with Jon is...there. It's not bad, it's short and pretty basic. Since this was originally going to be a movie not every fight can be long and epic. Which brings me to...
Shawn vs Keith. Though unfinished, the best 1 on 1 fight in the series. Manny vs Shawn might've surpassed it had it been filmed, but take nothing away from this fight; it's modern day shapes in a noir setting. There's really nothing else like it, anywhere. Had it been finished who knows how great it could've been.
Whenever I think of the Shawn/Manny fight we never got here I think of this fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OruqZ0_Tb3o
It's the spiritual replacement of the final fight that we never got in this series, for me. Also if you're reading this I probably reviewed all of the fights in "Yo Soy Un Hombre Loco" somewhere on this blog.
Another unfinished fight! Man, and it was looking pretty good too. The house fight was more of a struggle than a traditional fight scene, but it wasn't bad, some good falls in it.
Manny is an artist behind the camera. But man is he a great screen fighter too. And this was Keith's breakout performance to me. Keith looked like an absolute powerhouse fighter here. Juxtaposed with the more experienced, smaller and faster character Manny played. I loved their different styles of annihilating enemies. "2 vs many" is a genre I wish we saw more of. Great work, just wish it was longer and had more Manny.
Man, I wish this series had been finished. So much. Shawn's energy in this fight is great, and he throws a memorable 4 kick combo as well. Steven brings a dynamic unhinged energy to this as well, these two work well together.
Rock Lee vs Naruto: 4/5
Great stuff. Tributes can be tricky but Thousand Pounds pulled it off. Lee's Drunken Style in live action could only be pulled off by a talent like Brendon Huor.
One of my favorite martial arts short films. Everything about it is on point. It's such a cohesive narrative and the storytelling of the fighting is terrific. Truly a work of art. Dardrex's best project to date.
Ah yes, the big climactic showdown. Lots of Kingpin headbutts and Daredevil acrobatics. He even jumps off the wall to kick Kingpin at one point. Solid fight, worthy of closing out such a great show.
A lot of good action in this episode. Murdock's battle with The Ninja, if looked at as one collective fight, is the best fight in the series thus far besides the long take. Adding ninjas to most things make them more badass.
We also get our first taste of Murdock vs Fisk. Just a taste, I'm sure there's more to come.
I mean, Stick is awesome. He's an elderly, dickish, hardass badass. I loved every scene he was in. And his fight with Murdock at the end was beautiful storytelling. We might not see him again for a while but his presence really brought new energy to the show.
Good little fight in the beginning. Nothing too substantial afterwards, more short confrontations. Beginning to feel like the fight in episode 2 won't come close to being matched. Show's still awesome, though.
Sweet, Kingpin's finally getting some. The first fight is pretty standard "hero lurks in the shadows" warfare, but still well done. Fisk's fight is brutal. As it should be.
Murdock vs Russians: 4.25/5
The first truly great fight of the series. I may be grading this a bit generously, but it's such an impressive long take shot. Thought it's evident that there are times when Cox switches out with stuntmen, that's more smart action direction than anything. All in one take, it felt real and gritty.
