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.

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.

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.

Way Of The Dragon a.k.a. Return Of The Dragon (1972)

Bruce Lee vs Thugs: 2.25/5

Bruce Lee vs Thugs: 2.75/5

Bruce Lee & Staff vs Thugs: 3/5

Bruce Lee vs Bob Wall: 3.5/5

Bruce Lee vs Hwang In Shik: 3.25/5

Bruce Lee vs Chuck Norris: 4.25/5



This is my favorite Bruce Lee movie. It has an absolute classic for an end fight, my personal favorite Bruce Lee fight ever. It takes place in the literal Coliseum. How dope is that? It's also the only time Chuck Norris ever fought Bruce Lee. And this is Chuck in his prime, before he became a meme.

Like many Bruce Lee movies this is a Bruce Lee highlight reel. It just showcases his speed and technique. He even uses dual nunchuckas at one point. We also have a young Hwang In Shik, which is really cool (see The Young Master). CHINESE BOXING! Recommended.