The Superhuman Nature Of Kung Fu Movies
For those with an underdog complex, kung fu movies are the perfect prescription. They offer something for every one, drama, comedy, romance, action, and always end with the good guy on top, because who among us does not like a happy ending?
For some, the highly stylized action sequences are the main draw. Martial artists and actors unite in a beautiful show of choreographed fighting that pit the dramatically different against one another as Tiger vs. Crane or Monkey vs. Drunkenness. Each actor brings with him or her a unique interpretation of kung fu, ensuring that everyone will find something they can identify with.
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.
According to Confucius, kung fu is a way of life. It is an important philosophy that seeks to find a balance of mind and body and to remain disciplined in all action. More than anything, it is about avoiding conflict except when absolutely necessary.
More modern interpretations seem to rely on more complex story lines. New directors rely on more deeply developed characters and plot. Of course, this is not true for all new kung fu movies nor is it true that all older versions lacked this perspective. Thanks to more recent improvements in technology, even better special effects are possible. Also now possible, is the casting of non-martial artists, because almost anything is possible with just a trampoline and a computer screen.
More modern interpretation rely more heavily on special effects that have only gotten more sophisticated with recent technological advancements in the movie making industry. Characters and plot development have also taken a turn for the more complex. New versions of kung fu movies are free to concentrate more on camera angles and in depth story lines. This of course, is not to say that all do or that in the past, all did not. Which is one of the many draws to the genre; the availability of varying sub-sub-genres throughout.
Not sure where to get started? A few of the more notable figures in kung fu movies are Bruce Lee, Gordon Liu, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and more recently Tony Jaa and Scott Adkins. Each artist brings with him a new way to interpret kung fu and provides their own unique style to the movie. More recently, women have made a more notable appearance in movies as well. Though, if you look into kung fu history, their impact is anything but new. Women have and will continue to play a large role in spreading the genre and philosophy around the world.
Nothing is quite so disheartening as watching the little guy getting repeatedly stomped or feeling that you are the one underfoot. Kung Fu movies can help you see the importance of sticking up for what you believe in no matter the personal consequences, because in the end, good will always triumph over evil.
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