Fight Through Feelings With Kung Fu Movies
December 19, 2010Kung fu movies offer the perfect blend of superhuman strength and ultra-human virtue. They give the viewer the ultimate experience in their interpretation of the age-old problem of good vs. Evil.
For some, there is simply nothing that can beat a knock-down drag-out fight. Kung fu movies implore the use of choreographed fighting in a unique dance between foot, fist and weapon. They offer not only a show of physical strength but also provide the viewer with an education in kung fu fighting styles.
People are drawn to characters in the kung fu because of what they represent. Both the good and the bad guys remain true to the virtues of honor and loyalty, even if from slightly different perspectives. They understand the importance of sticking up for the little guy and are not unwilling to lose their own lives in the struggle against oppression.
Since their debut with American audiences in the late 1920s, this sub-genre of action films has grown exponentially, attracting viewers from all walks of life. When first introduced, the movies typically stuck to a more slap-stick comedy and concentrated more on intense fighting scenes than plot, promising the viewer a highly entertaining way to spend a lazy afternoon.
American audiences first became enthralled with kung fu movies in the late 1920s and since then have only become more popular. When first introduced to the public, movies stuck to a more accepted form of entertainment, opting to exaggerate a more slap-stick approach. Many audiences were drawn to the action heavy genre and so this is what the directors gave them.
Some of the more famous and recognizable talents that have emerged from the scene include Bruce Lee, Gordon Liu, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and more recently Tony Jaa and Scott Adkins. Women have also made their mark on the genre with such notable performers as Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Cheng Pei-Pei, Angela Mao and others. In actual kung fu history, women and men have been equally important in spreading the philosophy around the world.
Kung fu movies are not only shaped by their directors, but frequently must mold to the individual style of the actors or martial artists involved. Some of the more notable figures include: Bruce Lee, Gordon Liu, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Tony Jaa, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Cheng Pei-Pei, and Angela Mao. Each bring their own unique interpretation to the genre as well as provide important aspects of real kung fu history. The most important aspects of the genre, lie not in the physical capabilities of the actors, but in the overall meaning behind the film. It is about taking a stand for what you believe in and standing up for those who cannot seem to do so themselves. It is the ever-present problem of the oppressor and the oppressed.
The spread of this genre has been seen around the world. Audiences are drawn to the genre in mass. These movies provide not only a brief escape for viewers, but can leave them with overall sense of happiness. Kung Fu movies illustrate the important relationships people have with their life styles and philosophies and help to underscore the importance of remaining true to ones convictions. Nothing is so disheartening as feeling the whole world is out to get you and that strength and courage do not always sow the much sought after rewards. Kung fu movies can help you see the world in a more positive light by reminding the viewer that life is cyclical and that good things come to those who propagate good and that life, though unpredictable, gives each and every one of us the opportunity to practice what we preach.
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