Martial+Art+Movies

toc =An Overview= The Martial Art film genre originates on the Pacific rim. Martial Art films consist of numerous fighting scenes, in which those enaged in the fight utilize their various martial arts. This genre is not limited to Asian films -- there are many action movies starring well known western martial artists such as Steven Seagal who is an aikido instructor, Chuck Norris who trained with Bruce Lee himself, Wesley Snipes a highly skilled practitioner of capoeira, and Jean Claude Van Damme who practiced karate in Europe. These film stars can be classified into two categories: actual martial artists who pursue an acting career, as opposed to regular actors who perform various martial arts in the particular film under the directions of action choreographers.

Here are a few martial artists who have become very successful in the film industry:

= = Jet Li won the Chinese national Wushu championships five times in a row before becoming a movie star, starting with the 1979 film Shaolin Temple. Li gained his fame and popularity through his sports winnings which led to a career as a martial arts film star. It all began in China and then continued into Hong Kong. After great success in Hong Kong, and establishing a cult following in the U.S., Jet Li established his presence in American films, beginning with role as the lead villain in Lethal Weapon 4, which also marked the first time he has ever played a villain in a movie. His first leading role in a Hollywood movie was in Romeo Must Die. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Li)
 * Jet Li**

(Jet Li, in Fearless) http://img5.allocine.fr/acmedia/medias/nmedia/18/36/23/82/18464626.jpg

Jet Li achieved great success in Hong Kong films and stirred commotion in the U.S. as well. He laid the foundation of his career in American films by playing the villain in Lethal Weapon 4.( This was also Jet Li's first role as a villain). His first leading role in a Hollywood movie was in Romeo Must Die, alongside the DMX and the late Aliyah. Jet Li's latest masterpiece is film Fearless. This is the story of Huo Yuanjia**.** Huo is a fighter, who represents Chinese martial arts to his nation as well as other nations. He is a man who fought his way out of darkness and into history.

= = = = =**Tony Jaa**= Tony Jaa is highly skilled in Muay Thai, gymnastics & swordplay. Panom Yeerum is his real thai name and he was born in Surin Province in Thailand. Our Western culture has nicknamed him Tony Jaa but he is still as Thai as ever. He is skilled in the art of "Muay Thai", better known as Thai boxing. His films include Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior and Tom-Yum-Goong (also called Warrior King or The Protector). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Jaa)



(Tony Jaa, in the Protector) http://bilder.filmstarts.de/verzeichnis/film/filme/t/tom.yum.goong/TomYum-Bild13.jpg

= = = = =**Wesley Trent Snipes**= Wesley Trent Snipes is a highly skilled practitioner of capoeira. He was born on July 31 1962, in Orlando, Florida. He's an American actor, martial artist and film producer. He is well known as "Blade", the vampire hunter in the Blade trilogy. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Snipes) = = = =

(Wesley Snipes as "Blade") http://www.scurvoriginalz.com/image/16881831.jpg

= = = = =**Jackie Chan**= Chan Kong-Sang known as Jackie Chan Sing Lung was born on April 7, 1954 on Victoria Peak, Hong Kong, China. He is a Chinese martial artist, actor, director, script writer, film producer, singer and former stunt performer. Jackie Chan is a very popular name in the film industry today, especially because of his emphasis on the use of props including regular items as well as other set pieces. He is one of the best when it comes to Chinese kung fu. He has appeared in over 100 movies as well as having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He conquered the US market with Rumble in the Bronx(1995) and the two Rush Hour films. He is renowned for his comedic fighting style which blends martial arts and slapstick comedy. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Chan)

(Jackie Chan, Rumble In The Bronx), http://handson.provocateuse.com/show/jackie_chan

([|www.nurple.com]) =**Bruce Lee**= Bruce Jun Fan Lee was an American-born Chinese martial artist, instructor, actor and founder of Jeet Kune Do as well as originator of the martial art called Jun Fan Gung Fu.Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon (1973) was one of the films that brought the genre into mainstream Western acceptance. His fame also helped popularize Wing Chun, the martial art that he originally trained in. He is regarded as one of the geatest martial art icons of all time and long after his untimely death his legend lives on. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee)