Wire-Fu movies are best described as movies that require wire work to achieve certain aspects of a character’s fighting choreography. In most cases these are action movies, more particularly martial arts flicks. In a sub genre of martial arts is a category called wuxia films. Most wuxia films old and new cast actors and actresses with previous martial arts experience to bring on the full effect of the asia style kung fu fighting styles. With wire-fu into the mix, characters are able to seemingly leap long distances or in some cases fly.
For American fans of Asian cinema, the best case scenario for a wuxia film, would be “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”. Director Ang Lee truly brought the storyline out with this film as actors & actresses seemingly float in the wind and battle using ancient weapons.
I’ve comprised a list of some wire-fu movies that made a big impact here in the States, but keep in mind that wire-fu movies have been around for ages in most parts of Asia.
1.) The Matrix Movies I, II, III
Their the Matrix films, nuff said.
2.) Most of Jackie Chan movies
I don’t know if Jackie is getting older and less limber or simply because wire-fu is used so commonly nowadays but in Jackie’s flicks, they tend to really indicate the intense impact of a punch or a kick.
3.) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
In 2000, Ang Lee, Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yoeh made their mark in Hollywood with this film.
4.) Most of Jet Li’s movies.
Most of his old school movies as well as new are wire-fu involved in one way or another. Hero was a wuxia film with some subtle wire-fu used but if you look back at “Fist of Legend”,”Iron Monkey” and most prominently in the “Once Upon a Time in China” series. You’ll notice that wires play quite a significant role in his films.
5.) The new Charlie’s Angels movies
6.) Equilibrium
This is one of my favorite movies of foreign import. Not only are there action but something new called, “Gun-Fu” the study of weaponry martial arts.
A scene from the movie unedited:
7.) House of Flying Daggers
Yet another wuxia film with lots of fancy wire work.
8.) Some of Jean-Claude Van Damme movies
Yup, many of Van Damme’s movies also have wire-fu involved. The directors do a great job of making it very subtle and un-noticeable. But just like with Jackie Chan’s movies, they are used to emphasize the impact of a kick or punch.
9.) Mortal Kombat & Street Fighter the Movie
Street Fighter: The Movie; was a major flop…
Mortal Kombat actually did quite well. At least well enough for them to make a sequel…
10.) DOA: Dead or Alive
Yup, this movie was released in 2006. It’s another video game adaptation but not a lot of people have heard of it. I believe it went straight to video here in the States. The Director Corey Yuen is a dead give away for wire-fu. Whose known for his fancy wire work.
Here is a clip that’s circulated around the web. But not a lot of people seem to know that it’s from DOA the movie.
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