For over two decades Donnie Yen has been one of the most reliable and impressive martial art performers in Hong Kong. For a variety of reasons however, he has not been graced with the U.S. recognition of his contemporaries like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and even Chow Yun-fat. For those who want to know more about this amazing martial artist here is a primer on the best of Yen’s filmography. These movies are the place to start.
1- Iron Monkey- Not only is this masterpiece Donnie Yen’s best, it is possibly the greatest martial arts movie of all time. Directed by the renowned Matrix choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping, Iron Monkey finds Yen playing Wong Kei-Ying, father of Chinese legend Wong Fei-hung. Wong and son arrive in a small province that is currently hunting a Robin Hood-like thief named the Iron Monkey (Yu Rong-Guan). This is the perfect entry to Hong Kong filmmaking. Drama, comedy, and blistering martial arts combine in a perfect combination. The highlight is Iron Monkey and Wong taking on the villain while balancing atop six-inch wide poles. Just to make it more fun, the entire ground is on fire. Required viewing.
2- Ip Man- Very loosely based on the life of Bruce Lee’s teacher Yip Man. Directed by frequent Yen collaborator Wilson Yip, Ip Man recently won the Hong Kong equivalent of the Oscar for best picture. Taking place shortly before and during the Japanese invasion of China, Ip Man is essentially two movies in one. The first half has light-hearted feel, and the plentiful fights while impressive don’t have much weight. The second half, after the Japanese invade, takes a darker tone, and the fights become much more integral to the story. Choreographed by Hong Kong superstar Sammo Hung, the fights have a realistic bone-crunching feel. Yen, who is not known for his acting prowess is subtle and nuanced in the role, and displays none of the preening and posturing for which he is known.
3- S.P.L.- Also known as Sha Po Lang or Killzone in the U.S. The first collaboration between Yen and Wilson Yip, S.P.L. is a gritty urban crime drama. Made in 2005, the film is a throwback to the crime dramas HK filmmakers made by the dozens in the 80’s. Yen plays a cop dealing with the fallout of a police brutality incident who joins a corrupt unit led by the reliable Simon Yam. The highlight, and worth watching the movie for by itself, is a knife/baton fight between Yen and Wu Jing. Fast, brutal, and with no camera tricks or wires, this is one of the best fights ever committed to film.
4- Once Upon a Time in China 2- The second in the series that brought Jet Li fame is also the best. Li plays Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung. Yen is the primary villain. The movie is exceptional on all fronts, but for Yen fans the highlight is the fight between Li and Yen at the climax of the film. The two would not meet again until 2002’s Hero.
5- In the Line of Duty 4- Directed by action master Yuen Woo-ping, the fourth entry in the venerable girls with guns series sees Yen teaming up with Cynthia Khan as two Seattle cops pursuing bad guys in Hong Kong. Wall-to-wall action from both Yen and Khan, this one is light on story and character development, but really, that isn’t the reason to watch this one.
All of the above films can be purchased at YesAsia.
Sources: IMDB, LoveHKFilm.com
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