Hong Kong Action Cinema
By
User:bkeating9 @timeAndDate(1302624663) Brian Keating
Up until the midChina'>Chinese language cinema, the action film has been the central catalyzing force, in terms of transcultural recognition as well as revenue generation and global popularity.
Brief History
The boom period of Hong Kong action cinema was quite extensive and saw the emergence of several different styles and stars. Its earliest films, produced between the 1940's and the 1960's, were conceived in the
Samurai Bushido.
The
Jackie Chan
If Bruce Lee is considered the master, then slapstick, humor; dangerous stunts, and ultimately, urban settings involving a combination of police justice and kung fu. Chan deserves a great deal of credit for the acceptance and popularity of Hong Kong action film stylings within the Hollywood system.
Tsui Hark and John Woo
The Hong Kong film industry grew in leaps and bounds throughout the 1970's and 1980's, becoming the central creative and monetary force in
''Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain'' (1983)
**
''A Chinese Ghost Story'' (1987)
* '''John Woo: '''One of the major crossover success stories to emerge from the Hong Kong tradition, John Woo is highly regarded in the East and the West as an essential director and auteur. Many of his films concern the ongoing battles between Hong Kong police forces and triads (Chinese gangsters). Woo is responsible for the emergence of
Robert Rodriquez.
**
''A Better Tomorrow'' (1986)
**
''The Killer'' (1989)
**
''Bullet in the Head'' (1990)
**
''Hard Boiled'' (1992)
Wire-work Special Effects
The early 1990's saw the advent of
musicals.
In the 1960's and 1970's, however, the popular tendency towards grittier, more violent cinema caused the primacy of female action star roles to wane considerably, with some notable exceptions, including
Zhang Ziyi.
Yeoh and Zhang have both found success outside of Hong Kong, appearing in Hollywood films and receiving international accolades for their respective performances. Both women appeared in the critically acclaimed 2005 film
''Memoirs of a Geisha''.
'''Prominent Hong Kong Female Action Films:'''
*
''New Dragon Gate Inn'' (1992)
*
''The Heroic Trio'' (1993)
*
''Naked Weapon'' (2002)
*
So Close (2002)
The Decline of the Industry
With the new millennium fast approaching and the international profile of Hong Kong's actors and directors steadily growing, action cinema began to experience a decline in the midDVD'>cinema companies.
The most devastating blow to the industry was the departure of its stars and directors, many of whom left for Hollywood, notably Jackie Chan, John Woo, Chow YunDVD'>Hong Kong action cinema style.
Related Guides
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'''Kung Fu Movies'''
* '''
Samurai Movies'''
* '''
Foreign Films'''
* '''
Anime'''
* '''
Cult Films'''
