Top 10 Times Martial Artists Went Beast Mode
#10: Final Fight
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"Shaolin and Wu Tang" (1983) It's no secret that rap heroes the Wu-Tang Clan are heavily inspired by classic kung-fu flicks from the 1970s and '80s. This film in particular, however, has been heavily sampled by hip hop artists across the globe, but "Shaolin and Wu Tang" isn't just about retro kitsch. Instead, this final fight scene featuring director and star Gordon Liu starts in overdrive and reaches a fever pitch, thanks to some world class skill. Liu and his co-stars tell a story of murder, jealousy and miscommunication all within their deadly ballet of martial arts, with Liu in particular able to balance comedic lines and incredible acrobatics with ease. This kung-fu matinee is totally legit.
#9: Donnie Yen vs. Mak Wai-cheung
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"Legend of the Wolf" [aka “The New Big Boss”] (1997) Genre legend Donnie Yen directed, produced, co-wrote and even starred in this late nineties flick. Also known as "The New Big Boss," it features this ridiculously frenetic fight between Yen and an opponent utilizing a “monkey-style” fighting technique. The scene is straight bananas, opening with a flurry of punches from actor Mak Wai-cheung, with the sound design on their impact sounding like thunder claps from the heavens. Meanwhile, the choreography between the two men ramps up its pace to ludicrous speed, leaving both Yen and Wai-cheung looking like total badasses.
#8: Jackie Chan vs. Benny Urquidez
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"Wheels on Meals" (1984) Jackie Chan's love of physical comedy and silent-era cinema has been well documented, with many of his productions making the most out of some death-defying stunt work and captivating visual style. This match between Chan and fellow legend Benny "The Jet" Urquidez starts off fairly serious, with the pair's martial arts ballet gradually increasing intensity before taking a turn. The "Wheels on Meals" score turns decidedly funky, and Chan begins to incorporate a more light hearted approach, even tickling "The Jet" at one point. Don't think for a second that either man phones it in from here, however, as this extended fight features Chan besting The Jet with an incredible double shot before finishing him off with an equally incredible flying knee.
#7: Donnie Yen vs. Collin Chou
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"Flash Point" (2007) There's a sense of realism with our next entry, a stark contrast to some of the more fantastic examples on this list. Perhaps this is due to reports that Donnie Yen was inspired by mixed martial arts during the production of "Flash Point" in 2007. This could explain why this final fight between Yen and Collin Chou feels so wince-inducing and dangerous. Sure, there's plenty of fleet footwork to be had, but the vibe overall fits the "beast mode" idea perfectly, with both men giving their all to the scene. Knees on the ground, arm bars and triangles make the most out of the close quarters setting, while a brief break in the action only serves to amp things up for a brutally physical finale.
#6: Ku-mite! Ku-mite! Ku-mite!
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"Bloodsport" (1988) The plot of "Bloodsport" sounds like a precursor to "Mortal Kombat”: an unsanctioned, underground and out of control fighting competition featuring the strongest competitors from around the world. The film was based upon the outlandish real life claims of martial artist and choreographer Frank Dux, but don't let the controversial nature of Dux's story deter you from checking out this late eighties action gem. The Kumite tournament is full of highlights, but the final battle between Jean-Claude Van Damme and Bolo Yeung brings everything together in terms of Van Damme beast mode. Van Damme's Dux fights through the temporary blindness caused by Yeung's cheating powder throw and is all slow motion spin kicks and howling expressions of rage, finally making his opponent submit in defeat.
#5: Jet Li vs. Billy Chow
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"Fist of Legend" (1994) Remakes don't always live up to their source material, but this Jet Li vehicle did an admirable job at updating Bruce Lee's classic 1972 film, "Fist of Fury." Li takes on the role of Chen Zhen in "Fist of Legend," squaring off against the mad General Fujita at the film's climax. The scene between Li and co-star Billy Chow is a master class in choreography, style and grace, equal parts classic kung-fu with a modern cinema aesthetic. Chow cuts a particularly imposing figure, barely recognizing the damage taken until Li finally gets the upper hand, eventually ending Fujita's reign of terror with a belt and a well-timed twist on the General's own katana.
#4: Death in the Lab
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"The Raid: Redemption" (2011) We could've easily gone with the hallway fight in "The Raid: Redemption" for our next pick, but we decided to go with the drug lab sequence instead. The secret to this scene's success, unlike others on our list, doesn't necessarily hinge upon a one-on-one match up but instead is more about the sum of its parts. Iko Uwais' Rama has reunited with part of his police squad as they make their way through an array of thugs. The camera is almost a separate character as it captures all of the incredible choreography on display, from every punch and kick to a varied array of improvised weapons. This one truly goes all the way.
#3: Tipsy Terror
"Drunken Master II" (1994) In case you were wondering: yes, Drunken Boxing is a real style of martial arts, with roots dating back to Buddhist and Daoist monks. Jackie Chan's "Drunken Master" series is considered by many to be some of his best work, and this final fight from the second film provides plenty of evidence to back up that claim. Chan's Wong Fei-hung is a curious mix of comically tipsy and uncharacteristically feral at points, attacking Ken Lo's John with a full-bore, head on attack. The drunken style's unpredictability makes for an entertaining watch, while Chan's performance is over the top and genre defining in a way that only he can deliver.
#2: Dojo Attack
"Fist of Fury" (1972) There's a very good reason why the iconic Bruce Lee is so pissed at the climax of "Fist of Fury." The film's core is very much rooted in anti-Chinese sentiment, with Lee's Chen Zhen facing off against an abusive rival school of Japanese martial artists. It all comes to a head when Lee's character confronts these students in their dojo, initially besting a couple in one-on-one fights before being surrounded by the clearly outmatched group. Bad idea. Lee punches and kicks his way through his opponents with ease, before busting out a pair of nunchaku and getting down to beast mode business. It's an intense, entertaining but also very personal scene that makes the most out of Lee's definitive martial arts skill. Before we name our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Sword Thief - "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) Beauty and the Beast Mode Fight Club - "Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior" (2003) We Can Talk About This Fight Club Bruce Lee vs. Chuck Norris - "The Way of the Dragon" (1972) Good Luck, Chuck Yuri Boyka vs. Raul "Dolor" Quiñones - "Undisputed III: Redemption" (2010) For Brutal Realism Prison Yard Fight - "The Raid 2" (2014) For Fun in the Mud
#1: Ten Black Belts
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"Ip Man" (2008) "I want to fight ten people!" This is the demand set forth by Donnie Yen's Ip Man in this 2008 film, an act that would probably spell certain doom for anyone else...but thanks to this pick’s placement, you can probably figure out what happens next. The tension ramps up to an almost unbearable point, before Yen explodes with a performance that barely controls its rage. The titular Ip Man is surrounded by ten karateka and spares no one, breaking limbs and destroying anyone in his path. This scene may not be as long or drawn out as some of the others in our list, but Yen is ruthlessly efficient in his work, leaving an impression on the viewer that will not soon be forgotten.
