America was absolutely enthralled with the martial arts movies coming out of Asia in the 60s and 70s. These films changed culture, and Hollywood knew it had to get a piece. That's why we saw such an influx of these titles, and we still see them today. There's something magical about using your body as a weapon and feeling like you have an advantage in any fight. Today, I want to talk about some of my favorite American Martial Arts Movies that have come out over the years. Let's dive in. The ClassicsWhen America saw how much money some of these movies from other countries were making, Hollywood knew it had to get is slice of the pie These films helped usher in martial arts to the movie-going audience. Enter the Dragon (1973) This US-Hong Kong co-production is arguably the most important martial arts film ever made. It brought Bruce Lee to our shores and made him an international superstar. Lee stars as a martial artist recruited by a British intelligence agent to infiltrate a mysterious island fortress and compete in a deadly tournament. Its iconic fight scenes catapulted martial arts into the American mainstream.The Karate Kid (1984) Proof that martial arts could fit into any tone or genre, this became part of the cultural lexicon. Maybe the quintessential underdog story, The Karate Kid follows teenager Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), who learns karate from his apartment's handyman, the wise Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), to defend himself against bullies. The film's...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday