10 Nice Kung Fu Comedies That Do not Star Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan is perhaps the primary title in kung fu comedies, however there are many hilarious martial arts motion pictures that do not star the death-defying legend. Although kung fu is usually referred to as an action-oriented martial arts model, it simply lends itself to humor on the massive display screen. Most of the finest kung fu movies are a wholesome combine of fantastic combat scenes and humorous choreography, and the celebs of the martial arts style are sometimes additionally terrific bodily comedians. Jackie Chan set the gold commonplace in movies like Police Story and Meals on Wheels, however he wasn’t alone.

Whereas Chan could have upped the ante with even larger stunts, the kung fu style was already infusing comedy into the combination lengthy earlier than he got here round. Like movies from the West, motion and comedy mix collectively seamlessly in Japanese movies, and there has all the time been a component of physicality to humor. Nevertheless, the very best kung fu movies even have the additional benefit of robust combat choreography and motion course, and every half stands alone. The very best kung fu comedies will not be solely hilarious, however they’re normally additionally robust examples of the motion facet of the equation too.

10

Carry On Pickpocket (1982)

A Quintessential Motion Comedy With A Lot Of Laughs

Whereas Jackie Chan motion pictures usually present roguish heroes and cops, Stick with it Pickpocket is a kung fu comedy concerning the shadier facet of issues. Choreographer and star Sammo Hung pulls out all of the stops in one of many extra bombastic comedies from Eighties Hong Kong. There’s a attraction to the seediness of all of it, and Stick with it Pickpocket is rarely responsible of taking itself too severely.

That being mentioned, the combat choreography is terrific, and there’s a honest quantity of bodily comedy that has nothing to do with kung fu. The pickpocketing scenes are cleverly executed, and there’s a lyrical high quality to each second in order that the film flows just like the rhythm of basic kung fu motion.

9

Peking Opera Blues (1986)

Kung Fu Meets Comedy & Conventional Chinese language Theater

Kung fu comedies are sometimes over-the-top, and 1986’s Peking Opera Blues is jam-packed with humor, motion, and a good quantity of Chinese language tradition too. The interval piece melds crime comedy with kung fu, and makes use of the backdrop of Peking Opera as a singular and attention-grabbing setting. The exaggerated kinds of Peking Opera splash throughout the display screen, and it additionally manages to be a heartfelt romantic comedy as properly.

it is a uncommon instance of a film that may stability all of its disparate components with out sacrificing something.

Although the plot is kind of busy, Peking Opera Blues is a fleshed-out story with characters who’ve actual motivation. The humor does not detract from the motion or the drama, and it is a uncommon instance of a film that may stability all of its disparate components with out sacrificing something.

8

The Legend (1993)

A Jet Li Traditional That Kicked Off A Franchise

Behind Jackie Chan, Jet Li is perhaps probably the most well-known title in kung fu cinema world wide, and it is due largely to movies like The Legend. Although the motion comedy is perhaps lighter on the comedy, it is nonetheless an satisfying kung fu movie that is not notably severe. As a substitute of getting a goofy premise, The Legend makes use of its motion within the pursuit of humor, however it’s nonetheless thrilling in its personal proper.

Li is of course charismatic as Fong Sai-Yuk, and he returned to reprise his function within the sequel that was launched in the identical 12 months. Although Jet Li would star in different nice movies each in Hollywood and in his native nation, The Legend continued his meteoric rise as a star within the early Nineties.

7

The Prodigal Son (1981)

One Of The Greatest Kung Fu Comedies Of The ’80s

Director Sammo Hung delivered his justifiable share of nice kung fu comedies within the ’80s, and The Prodigal Son is perhaps one of many easiest. Yeun Biao stars as a rich younger man who learns that each one of his nice feats of martial artistry had been truly pretend as a result of his opponents had been paid to lose. That humorous idea would have been adequate to hold a powerful kung fu comedy, however it is his redemption that makes for such compelling viewing.

Kung fu comedies aren’t mocking martial arts; Actually, The Prodigal Son is a wonderful instance of the care and love that goes into portraying kung fu on display screen. The motion is crisp and thrilling, and Yeun Biao’s quest to turn out to be an actual martial artist is as fascinating as it’s hilarious.

6

Tai Chi Grasp (1993)

Jet Li & Michelle Yeoh Mild Up The Display

Usually remembered as one in all Michelle Yeoh’s finest motion pictures, Tai Chi Grasp options the dream staff of Yeoh and co-star Jet Li. The sprawling kung fu epic is all about stability, and the film finds humor within the juxtaposition of martial arts with tai chi. Whereas there’s loads of humor, the comedy largely takes a backseat to the movie’s epic plot and highly-choreographed motion sequences.

Although Jet Li and Chin Siu Ho are the movie’s two leads, Michelle Yeoh steals the present as Siu Lin and will get as an instance her personal martial arts prowess. A sequel adopted in 1996, however Tai Chi Boxer featured not one of the authentic film’s huge stars.

5

The God Of Cookery (1996)

An Off-The-Wall Kung Fu Comedy

Stephen Chow is basically the Jackie Chan of the ’90s and 2000s, and The God of Cookery helped to cement that reality. Chow stars as a disgraced former superstar chef, who plots a return to get again at people who induced his downfall. Borrowing the basic story construction of martial arts revenge motion pictures, The God of Cookery has an off-the-wall premise that makes every little thing farcical.

There’s a fast-paced and exaggerated model to each body of the movie, and the humor usually borders on downright surrealism.

What makes Chow’s martial arts comedies so particular is that they mix absurd premises with legitimately thrilling kung fu, and The God of Cookery has each in spades. There’s a fast-paced and exaggerated model to each body of the movie, and the humor usually borders on downright surrealism.

4

Pedicab Driver (1989)

A Martial Arts Comedy That Turns The Style On Its Ear

Persevering with Sammo Hung’s kung fu comedy domination of the ’80s, Pedicab Driver is a quintessential instance of what makes his movies enjoyable to look at. The heroes of the movie will not be martial arts masters or muscle-bound fighters, and as an alternative discover themselves in means over their heads as a result of they’ve fallen in love. The fish-out-of-water protagonists tackle hardened criminals, and the tradition conflict is actually sidesplitting.

Regardless of being such a foolish movie total, Hung’s course offers equal emphasis on the motion, and Pedicab Driver by no means will get too misplaced in its personal jokes. The movie’s premise may simply be swapped right into a extra easy motion movie, and it might nonetheless have the identical influence. Nevertheless, the humor is what helps it stand out.

3

The Magnificent Butcher (1979)

A Response To Jackie Chan’s Drunken Grasp

Made solely a 12 months after Jackie Chan’s Drunken Grasp, The Magnificent Butcher is predicated on a few of the similar people heroes as the sooner kung fu comedy basic. The film’s rescue/revenge plot is secondary to the wonderful combat choreography and easy humor, and The Magnificent Butcher is Sammo Hung at his easiest as an motion hero.

Regardless of being made to capitalize on the recognition of the aforementioned Jackie Chan film, The Magnificent Butcher is kind of totally different. Director Yuen Woo-ping’s model may not be as animated, however any shortcomings are supplemented by Hung and his co-stars.

2

Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

A Trendy Kung Fu Comedy That Re-Wrote The Guidelines

Launched lengthy after the kung fu comedy heyday of the ’80s, Kung Fu Hustle fully modified the subgenre ceaselessly. Director/star Stephen Chow pushed the humor to its absolute breaking level when delivering a kung fu comedy that is not afraid to indulge within the absurd. Earlier comedies seamlessly blended humor and motion, whereas Kung Fu Hustle is unafraid to look foolish.

The motion remains to be plentiful, however the comedy is so over-the-top that it fully overshadows the seriousness of the preventing. That is to not say that the motion in Kung Fu Hustle is poor, however that the comedy is the true impetus for the story and never the preventing.

1

Shaolin Soccer (2001)

Kung Fu Meets Sports activities Comedy

The kung fu comedy has largely fallen out of favor in latest many years, and that due largely to the truth that director Stephen Chow put a tremendous level on the subgenre with movies like Shaolin Soccer. Considering outdoors the field to incorporate sports activities into the equation, the screwball comedy stretches the thought of kung fu comedy past what any movie had accomplished earlier than.

the movie delivers a ton of guffaws by exploring the furthest reaches of its personal weird idea.

Shaolin Soccer just isn’t a practical sports activities film, however that is probably not the purpose. As a substitute, the movie delivers a ton of guffaws by exploring the furthest reaches of its personal weird idea. Ridiculous characters discover themselves in ridiculous conditions, and nearly each downside is solved utilizing over-the-top kung fu strikes. Jackie Chan could have opened the door for the kung fu comedy, however Shaolin Soccer kicked the game-winning aim.