Five must-watch Yuen Woo-ping ahead of Blades of the Guardians

Yuen Woo-ping is, without a doubt, the greatest living action filmmaker of our time. No other filmmaker has redefined and propelled the genre for over 50 years as he has, nor so profoundly reshaped what we expect from both Hong Kong and Hollywood action cinema. From action comedies to wuxia epics to American sci fi classics, he has elevated each genre he touched and set the standard for what audiences now take for granted. He also helped launch the careers of many of today’s most beloved action superstars. Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Donnie Yen are titans of the industry, and their rise is inseparable from the influence and guidance of Master Woo-ping.

At 80 years old, Yuen Woo-ping has delivered one of his finest films with the wuxia epic Blades of the Guardians. Blending breathtaking choreography, kinetic wire work, and immaculate CGI, he crafts a film unlike anything else this year. It stands as one of the year’s strongest action achievements, a truly generational work that also beautifully showcases four decades of evolution in martial arts filmmaking.

To celebrate the UK release of Blades of the Guardians, I thought it would be fun to highlight five must-watch Yuen Woo-ping films that will build anticipation for his latest masterwork or serve as essential homework if you want to catch up on his filmography afterwards. A few ground rules before we begin: eligible films are those in which Yuen Woo-ping served as either director or action director/choreographer. And to keep things interesting, there will be no obvious picks here. There’s no need to recommend The Matrix, Kill Bill, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, or Drunken Master; they’re classics, widely seen, and universally acknowledged. If you haven’t watched them, though, you absolutely should.

A few honourable mentions before we head into the list. The Forbidden Kingdom, despite its flaws, remains one of the stronger American attempts at a wuxia film and features several standout fight scenes, especially the Jet Li vs. Jackie Chan showdown. Ip Man 4: The Finale is a fantastic conclusion (for now) to Donnie Yen’s Ip Man series and delivers some truly remarkable action. Fist of Legend stands as one of the greatest remakes ever made, offering a fresh reinterpretation of Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury. The film was one of the key reasons the Wachowskis brought Woo-ping on for The Matrix; Lana Wachowski even featured it in The Matrix Resurrections.

Continuing with groundbreaking works, while not a personal favourite of mine, the final set piece of Once Upon a Time in China is worth the price of admission. The director’s cut of Fearless is a truly epic film, over 40 minutes longer than the theatrical version, and features some marvellous action and storytelling. Finally, Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow, released the same year as Drunken Master and features much of the same cast, but is sadly overlooked in both Jackie Chan’s and Yuen Woo-ping’s filmographies.

With the honourable mentions covered, here are five Yuen Woo-ping films to watch ahead of Blades of the Guardians.

SUPPORT US! WE ARE A SMALL, INDEPENDENT FILM WEBSITE WITH NO BIG BACKERS, SO IF YOU LOVE OUR SITE AND OUR WRITERS, PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US TO KEEP FILM JOURNALISM ALIVE!

Master Z: Ip Man Legacy

The only post-2010 film on this list, Master Z: Ip Man Legacy, is a spin-off of Donnie Yen’s Ip Man series. We follow Cheung Tin chi (Max Zhang), one of the main antagonists of the third instalment, as he tries to keep a low profile after his loss to Ip Man. However, circumstances soon pull him into conflict with a powerful drug smuggler. Directed by Yuen Woo-ping and featuring action choreography by long-time collaborator Yuen Shun-yee, Master Z: Ip Man Legacy is a throwback to Shaw Brothers classics like Return to the 36th Chamber. The fight scenes are absolutely majestic, and Dave Bautista delivers an impressive performance in the final showdown, which features a punchy and effective use of the Ip Man theme.

Tiger Cage 2

At the time of its release, Tiger Cage 2 was one of the few contemporary action films directed by Yuen Woo-ping. Shootouts aren’t something we typically associate with Woo-ping, but Tiger Cage 2 features them. The first film is much darker in tone, yet the sequel places Donnie Yen firmly in the spotlight and delivers an incredible sword fight between Yen’s Dragon Yau and Michael Woods, playing one of Chow’s henchmen. Easily one of the best sword fights ever put on the silver screen. The story follows ex cop Dragon Yau and lawyer Mandy, who witness a robbery involving a missing suitcase full of money. Due to a misunderstanding, both the cops and the robbers end up chasing Dragon and Mandy for the bag.

The Miracle Fighters

A mix of kung fu and fantasy, The Miracle Fighters stands out as a unique film within Yuen Woo-ping’s grand filmography. From men trapped inside pots to flying heads used as weapons and magical wooden men, it is a truly bizarre combination of comedy, fantasy and Kung Fu. It also features a final act that is truly one of a kind. The Miracle Fighters may not be for everyone, but it is well worth a watch for those wanting to see a very different side of kung fu cinema. The story follows a condemned Manchurian commander who kidnaps the emperor’s son while fleeing. Fourteen years later, the emperor’s evil sorcerer learns of the commander’s whereabouts—now living with a young man who wears the emperor’s jade.

Tai Chi Master

Stylistically closest to what Blades of the Guardians brings to the screen, Tai Chi Master is a highly stylised kung fu film. It heavily embraces wuxia-esque wirework to enhance the action, giving the fighters an almost mythical presence. Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh glide across the screen, delivering choreography that is truly mind-blowing. Despite being released in 1993, it could rival any action film made today. Tai Chi Master also beautifully showcases the philosophy of martial arts and how they can bring inner peace. It follows two Shaolin monk friends who, after being expelled, take separate paths, one joining the military, the other aligning with a rebellion. While their paths initially diverge, they eventually collide, leading to a high-stakes confrontation.

The Magnificent Butcher

Starring legend Sammo Hung, The Magnificent Butcher is the only time that Hung and Woo-ping collaborated on a film project together. Which is a shame, given that Sammo would go on to become another legendary action director, arguably even better than his long-time collaborator Jackie Chan. Narratively, The Magnificent Butcher falters with a lacklustre villain and leans on frustrating, dated clichés, but the action operates on an entirely different stratosphere and is utterly enthralling and masterfully presented. Despite his size, Sammo Hung displays remarkable athleticism and charisma, unlike many other action stars from that era of martial arts cinema. The film follows Lam Sai Wing, a young butcher and disciple of Wong Fei Hung, as he becomes embroiled in a feud with a rival Shaolin temple.

About the Author

Robert Ewing

Author

Rob is a freelance film critic and writer who specialises in Anime and Asian cinema. I have adored film since a young age, having watched films that were far too old for me, such as RoboCop, Die Hard, and Hot Tub Time Machine, to discovering the heights of foreign cinema through films like Headhunters and Battle Royale. Growing up with such a diverse catalogue of films that I cherished sparked my desire to discuss them. This passion eventually led me to become a reviewer. Dissecting films, speaking to filmmakers I admire, and showcasing the best of Asian and anime cinema is how I live my best and truest life.

Visit Website View All Posts