As a new media student, I love animation and computer graphics. Heck, because of the advances of technology and the techniques in visual effects, we are able to do anything we can imagine in movies. We can walk with the dinosaurs. A man can fly in the sky to stop a plane from crashing. And a big red semi can now transform into a robot. And while the effects are cool, I sometimes miss old school visual effects, or rather, "physical" effects. As a kid I remember seeing cars actually crashing in Smokey and the Bandit, or a building actually exploding in Lethal Weapon. And what amazed me the most were the feats that a human body can do if properly trained and conditioned.

While everyone goes to see big Hollywood blockbusters, with their fancy visual effects, I think many people miss out on the amazing effects in martial art movies. There is only a handful of true martial art actors, and they are getting old. Soon there won't be any left, unless you count the actors that learn a few moves and hang on wires. I am tired of Hollywood trying to make anyone that is popular into an on-screen martial artist, and then they wonder why the movie flops. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Milla Jovovich, and Sean William Scott are not martial artists. It takes years of training and discipline to become a master, and these guys are.

Bruce Lee, the first martial artist to make it big in the U.S, only made five films in his lifetime, but each of them is considered classic. Enter the Dragon was the first Hollywood backed "kung fu" film. It was said that directors told Bruce to slow down his kicks and punches because the camera couldn't record them. He could throw a punch at a length of 60 cm in 5/100 of a second, and his infamous "one-inch punch" could send a 200 pound man onto his back.

Jackie Chan, considered by many to be the last silent screen actor, combines his martial arts with comedy similar to Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. On top of that he does all his own stunts. He is the second and most famous of the Seven Little Fortunes. He regularly made films with fellow "Fortunes" Sammo Hung and Yuen Bao. Jackie has yet to find an insurance company that will cover him, and has broken nearly every bone in his body.

Jet Li is a world champion of Wushu. Jet has studied Wushu since the age of 8 and has won many gold medals in Wushu competition in the 70's. While he uses wires in many of his films, he does his own stunts. Tony Jaa is the rookie of the martial art actors. Influenced by Bruce, Jackie, and Jet; Tony would replicate their moves until perfect. Studying Muay Thai (kickboxing), he was sent to study physical education and went on to win national gold medals in swordfighting, gymnastics, and track.

These guys are skilled and the things that they can do are amazing. While some martial art movies lack in story, the same can be true for Hollywood blockbusters (Fantastic Four, Phantom Menace, etc). So why not give them a chance? Two movies are set to be released this year, both from over seas.

First up, Fearless starring Jet Li. The story of Huo Yuanjia, who becomes a hero for China after he faces off with the best fighter from around the world. This is based on a true story and is a sort of prequel to Chinese Connection (Bruce Lee) and Fist of Legend (Jet Li). Having seen the film, this may be considered one of Jet's best films to date. If you liked Hero and Unleashed watch Fearless on September 22.

www.fearlessthemovie.com

Next is The Protector starring Tony Jaa.  Two elephants, intended to be a gift to the King of Thailand, are captured and smuggled to Australia. Kham (Tony) must retrieve them. Pretty basic plot, but the stunts that Tony performs are stunning, for instance, jumping off a building towards a helicopter. Doesn't seem special does it, but that's just it, no special effects, no camera tricks, and no compositing. Just the building, a helicopter, and Tony jumping for his life onto the chopper. This film is due for release on August 25.

www.theprotectormovie.com 

If I have sparked your interest, here are more of my picks that display great physical effects.

Hero
Unleashed
Fist of Legend
Enter the Dragon
Chinese Connection
Fist of Fury
Ong-Bak
Kiss of the Dragon
Legend of the Drunken Master
Rumble in the Bronx
Operation Condor
Police Story
Twin Dragons
Project A 2
Once Upon a Time in China
Black Mask
The Enforcer