What do you look for?

[Kaminari]

So, what do you look for/enjoy in terms of martial arts action sequences in movies? I only ask because I plan on making an independent film including martial arts (how could I not?), and was looking for ideas. There are going to be several fight scenes, and I know that they are going to be different in style, etc.

Just curious of your opinions.

[jedimc]

The end fight scene in the movie has to be the greatest fight in the movie, nice and long fighting but not too repetitive - weapons can be in one part of it if you like,some good ending fights in some movies are the ending of kiss of the dragon (Jet Li), who am I (Jackie Chan),The Transporter (good fights scenes in the movie but none at the end.but still a great movie)

[Skeptic 2004]

Depends on what kind of movie you're making. By the verbiage of your statement ( "I only ask because I plan on making an independent film including martial arts" ) it sounds like marital arts is an accessory to your film and not the main focus in which case I would appreciate a good, solid plot; a good, believable, realistic character; and then a somewhat believable situation in which the character has to fight. Said fight should be brief and realistic - I'd recommend watching Tasogare Seibei (The Twilight Samurai) for an idea of what I'm talking about. Fights shouldn't be frequent (too many take away from the story...) but they can be as long as you are able to set up a somewhat believable situation.

Now, if showcasing martial arts is the main focus of the movie, then I completely agree with jedimc's assessment. Each fight should be unique, we should see growth or progression in the main character's fighting ability (not necessarily all at the end fight by the way...) and each fight should be more impressive than the last. Since plot isn't necessarily the focus, people should fight OFTEN. Please, no wire-fu.

[drunken.master]

The classic formula seems to work. Try to avenge a masters death, get beat down a bit, train harder, then beat them down. Simple formula, but seems to work.

As far as the action, smooth martial arts moves that are realistic; but slightly out of reach for the average student. I also like the fight scenes to be smooth (speed in the strikes and blocks) and powerful.

Many of the Hong Kong movies (from the Shaw brothers and others) have the formula down great.

[Sam]

the lead character has to die randomly before thefinal fight scene, always good for alaugh

[kenpo_fighter]

Depends on what kind of movie you're making. By the verbiage of your statement ( "I only ask because I plan on making an independent film including martial arts" ) it sounds like marital arts is an accessory to your film and not the main focus in which case I would appreciate a good, solid plot; a good, believable, realistic character; and then a somewhat believable situation in which the character has to fight. Said fight should be brief and realistic - I'd recommend watching Tasogare Seibei (The Twilight Samurai) for an idea of what I'm talking about. Fights shouldn't be frequent (too many take away from the story...) but they can be as long as you are able to set up a somewhat believable situation.

Now, if showcasing martial arts is the main focus of the movie, then I completely agree with jedimc's assessment. Each fight should be unique, we should see growth or progression in the main character's fighting ability (not necessarily all at the end fight by the way...) and each fight should be more impressive than the last. Since plot isn't necessarily the focus, people should fight OFTEN. Please, no wire-fu.

i agree. establish what genre your film is going to be and decide whether martial arts is going to be an accessory or the main focus to your film. Personally, i would love to see a suspense or mystery genred film using the martial arts get through the story. write a plot so solid and drenched in mystery & suspense and use martial arts to fill in the holes. just my opinion.

[Bleeding Lion]

anything that hasnt been exploited before. i loved ong bak because i didnt see a movie using muay thai and emphasizing on powerful elbows/knees blows that much.

In fighting scenes i also appreciate humor, a show of flexibility, speed and power strikes. iron monkey is a good example.

good luck on that movie. i always appreciate an atempt of originality even if it doesnt succeed as much as planned.

[Bleeding Lion]

that makes me think, has any movie attempted using capoeira before?

[kenpo_fighter]

that makes me think, has any movie attempted using capoeira before?

yes. it was called "only the strong" starring Mark Dacascos. decent plot. he comes back to his old high school where it is now over run with gangs & drugs. he becomes a school counselor working with the worst juvenille delinquents in the school & uses capoeira as a form of rehabilitation. not a bad martial arts flick.

[Menjo]

I love seeing techniques I know well being performed in a movie, I like when its one on one intense fighting, I also like when they have the classic mean tough guy that uses really hard karate agaisnt a kung-fu guy.