who do you think are the best martial arts performers for this age?

@victorywp (3524)
United States
April 5, 2010 10:50pm CST
particularly, i mean those who perform martial arts in the movies. that means those who have strong martial arts background and emerged as successful martial arts actors/actresses. these are my choice for each 10 years: bruce lee (1940) passed away jackie chan (1954) 56 years old as of 2010 sammo hung (1952) 58 years old as of 2010 jet li (1963) 47 years old as of 2010 donnie yen (1963) 47 years old as of 2010 tony jaa (1976) 34 years old as of 2010 wu jing (1974) 36 years old as of 2010 they are all great, but for this age, donnie yen and tony jaa are my choice. and seems like in the coming 10 years, tony jaa (from thailand) would end the domination of chinese in martial arts movies. what do you think? who is your choice?
3 people like this
17 responses
@ckyera (17332)
• Philippines
6 Apr 10
hello victory, well its jet li for me! maybe because i have watched lots of his movies and i just love him! was tony jaa the one from ong bak? well if he's the one then i must agree that he's also good in martial arts judging base on his performance in the movie. the rest i don't know much about them but i think they are all good in their own way... oops i forgot, i know jackie chan of course & bruce lee...who would not know them when they are already legend. i think.
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@ckyera (17332)
• Philippines
6 Apr 10
ah okay...hehe. actually its really my husband who's into watching such kinds of movies, i am just influenced by him! and when he's watching i just look but i don't bother to ask who's those actors are. so maybe i have watched those other people you mention but i just don't know their names! well i try looking for their pictures and surprisingly, i have watched them all already! except wu jing that i can't recall any of his movie that etched on my mind...hehe
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
yeah, wu jing is not very famous because he appeared more in mainland china-produced series. only until 2005, where wu jing achieved success in hong kong action cinema in the movie spl: sha po lang with his role as a vicious assassin. in fact, i first learnt about him because of this movie. spl: sha po lang is a very violent movie (not for the faint-hearted) but it is very realistic especially if you talk about the gangsters in today's modern days. he killed the supercops heartlessly with no delays but finally killed by donnie yen (head of the supercops). he killed the first supercop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_qGcm2sk-A he killed the second and third supercops: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwBfpR_Qf_c he was killed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMr9FkjLrxU
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
yes, tony jaa is the one in ong bak! he is now being considered as the most well-rounded martial arts action stars nowdays. he has a very bright future especially when jackie chan retires. people would have to watch him when talking about martial arts movies. it seems like you know jackie chan and jet li because they are in hollywood. all the others (that i mentioned) have not made it to hollywood, and so they are not very internationally known (unless you really like martial arts). if you like serious types of martial arts movies, donnie yen's and tony jaa's are the best. they do not mix with visual/special effects and you can see their moves clearly.
@Hvaniday1 (550)
• Malaysia
9 Apr 10
Yeah man, those are all my favorite martial art actors. It is sad that some had already retired. Although they have retired it doesn't mean that they are away, still you can watch their movies and documentary. If anyone of you who are keen on learning martial arts, don't forget to watch Bruce Lee documentary and teaching. You won't regret and best recommended. This is how he did it and you can too...
• Malaysia
11 Apr 10
Ooops...what I meant was some had retired which is not in your list . It seems like I had confused you, when I mentioned about retire then suddenly jump to Bruce Lee isn't it...very sorry for that. You requested to upload my video and show off my moves ah...friend, don't make me laugh or don't make the audience's laugh . I'm not a comedian nor a joker but you really good at getting someone to work.
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• Malaysia
12 Apr 10
no stunt...Forget about it man.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
11 Apr 10
no, i am not expecting you to upload a joke/comedy video. i am serious to see you in action with some unique stunt moves...
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
2 May 10
I liked Jackie but I also like Chuck Norris in movies where he does his thing
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@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
4 May 10
yup we do need good new ones to be in wehn CHuck no longer can
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
3 May 10
yeah, both are great! hoping to see more new martial artists coming up!
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I'm a fan of Jackie Chan, even if he is jail-bait. For those who do not know that term, here in the states it is used to describe someone too young to be an appropriate lover-interest, lol. For many myLotters though, he is an old guy. I like Chan because he is so warm and funny while still being a serious athlete.
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@drannhh (15219)
• United States
7 Apr 10
That is the literal definition, but colloquially it just means someone, male or female, who is young and alluring but off-limits on account of being too young for the person s/he is attracting. I like this video, but it always hangs up in the middle--probably the fault of my computer... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJDPksQAq48&feature=related
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
look what i found from dictionary.com : http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/jail-bait yeah, jackie chan is a comedian too despite the fact that he is a great martial artist and stunt performer. so he really know how to be funny and make people laugh. of course he is also an actor, action choreographer, filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter too. but many has not realize that he is also a singer who had released a number of albums and also sung many of the theme songs for the films he starred.
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
7 Apr 10
the myth is a fantasy-adventure movie and the story-line is quite touching. i like this theme song of the myth too! actually jackie chan is also a singer who had released quite a number of music albums. i wonder whether he would open his own live concert in the future?
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Apr 10
Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung would get my votes.
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@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Apr 10
Who said I knew Sammo? That isn't what you asked. I would think the older they are the more experienced and there for best in rank. I don't watch martial arts and know very little about it. I have seen them both perform and admire them highly.
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
wow, you knew sammo hung?! i don't see many people talk about him and here in this discussion, people don't even recognize him. actually he is the senior of jackie chan from the same master but jackie chan is more well-known. by the way, how do you know sammo hung? you like martial arts? another question, i think jackie chan and sammo hung are nearing their retire age. who do you think could replace them? i mean if you want to watch martial arts movies, which martial artists would be your choice?
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
oh... sorry for misunderstanding... anyway, at least you said you seen sammo performs, most people don't even know him.
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@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
8 Apr 10
Hi victorywp. I would agree with your list they are some of the best martial arts performers. I think Tony Jaa is one to watch. A friend of mine lent me Ong Bak on DVD a few years ago and it totally blew me away, the guy is just amazing. So he would get my vote
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@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
9 Apr 10
Ong Bak 3 is one I will definitely be keeping an eye out for. I do think Tony Jaa does have really big things ahead of him.
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
9 Apr 10
yes, ong bak is a must watch movie. and ong bak 3 will be released somewhere in this year 2010. tony jaa is one of the most well-rounded among all the martial artists today. and he is the youngest to have arrived up to this stage, i think.
• Quezon, Philippines
6 Apr 10
Bruce Lee, definitely. He's a legend. Jackie Chan, because he's funny with his martial arts antics and he's very entertaining. He's in Hollywood now.
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
yes, bruce is is a legend. without him, nobody will know about kungfu or even chinese. and it is because of him, chuck norris, jackie chan, sammo hung, jet li, donnie yen, tony jaa, wu jing, etc. get inspired. i can say that all martial arts performers in the world take bruce lee as their idol.
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I don't know anyone in the 60's bracket, but how about: Chuck Norris (1940) 70 years old as of 2010 Mr. Norris has been acting in movies since 1968 in the movie, Green Berets, where he was a martial arts performer. He also starred in a television show, Walker Texas Ranger, which ran from 1993 to 2001. He created a martial art, Chun Kuk Do (based on Tang Soo Do).
@sunil_008 (1269)
• India
7 Apr 10
hi, i have seen bruce lee, jet lee and jackie chan in movies. and i am not sure how good they are in the art in real life but i think these 3 are great in the reel life though.i like jackie chan among these three because of the comic touch in the action scenes...
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
8 Apr 10
unfortunately, all of them are getting older now. there must be new martial artists to be raised up and continue with their journey. who do you think the new ones would be?
@scififan43 (2434)
• United States
30 Aug 10
I am not into marshal arts movies but I would say that Jackie Chan is my favorte. I have seem him in more than any other movie.
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Sep 10
jackie chan appeared in more martial arts movie in the western countries if compared to other martial artists.
@sutent (1060)
• China
6 Apr 10
Hi victorywp, Good topic. Actually, i had raised similar discussion previous. My personal martial arts perfomer was Jet li. He won the China national martial Championships for consecutive five years.He was outstanding for his art elegant actions with great esthetic feeling. He is my idol and I had watched all his movies. Additionally, he initial a NGO named as One Foundation to integrate charity source from all society to help others. It is a great idea. Hope he can develop the one foundation organization except perform on movies. Recently, especially the two to three years, Donnie Yen became more and more famous and became the new age martial arts performers. His movies was attractive for his strong action and the combination of all kinds of actions. Turn back the first famous martials arts performers, Bruce lee. He is a great martial arts and created the Jeet Kune Do. Every Chinese should appreciate him By the way, i watched the movies from tony jaa. I do not think he can end the domination of Chinese in martial arts movies. At least, currently Donnies Yen is better choice for me.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
yeah, i agree that donnie yen is the new age martial artist and became really famous in these recent years. do you realize that he released 3 films in 2008, 3 films in 2009, and expected to release another 4 films in 2010? this means that he will be releasing 10 films in 3 years, can you imagine how famous he is now? he has a very tight schedule for these recent years, and he still can be so strong at the age of 47. i really admire him.
• Philippines
6 Apr 10
i like jet li too! And chuck norris! But my best pick is Manny Pacquiao. he's the best.
@ckyera (17332)
• Philippines
6 Apr 10
hehe...manny pacquiao is also an actor here in our country! but i just like him in boxing and no more...
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
in that case, maybe the movie is not international. all the movies from the martial artists i mentioned above, have been translated into english (if their original language is not english). but anyway, if he acts in a movie plainly as a boxer, i don't see people would be attracted in it. even all the martial artists nowadays have mixed up at least a few other types of martial arts to make them look outstanding.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
yes, manny pacquiao is a great professional boxer, and of course boxing can be considered as one of a martial art. but i am not taking him in because he is not an actor and he has not bring any of his elements into a movie.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
6 Apr 10
So far, i'm only familiar with bruce lee, Jacky Chan and Sammo Hung. My favorite is Jacky Chan. I was not aware that he's already 56.
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
yeah, he is already 56 this year and nearing to the age of retirement. so else would you choose in case you want to watch martial arts movies after jackie chan and sammo hung retired?
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
6 Apr 10
Haven't got a clue but i'm sure there are a lot of promising actors who can do the same if not even better.
@jacoo999 (69)
• India
8 Jun 10
Jet Li is the real performer next after Bruce Lee.
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@victorywp (3524)
• United States
9 Jun 10
yeah, i agree with you. other than jet li would be donnie yen who starred in ip man 2 recently.
• India
6 Apr 10
Hi, Well, Tony Jaa has quite a different style. Its an entirely different dojo. Its called Thai Kick Boxing. It was regional once before it was incorporated in films and Tony Jaa was among those who made it popular world-wide. Now Thai Kick Boxing is recognized as much remarkable as Tai Chi or other forms of kung fu. What Jackie Chan did was traditional Kung Fu. He acted in less serious roles which made his Kung Fu not so indispensable part of it. Besides being a martial artist Jackie Chan is known to be a good actor and above all, a good human being. Bruce Lee was a Legend. He not only mastered the art but also contributed a lot to it. He added value and luster to the traditional martial art. Jet Lee is more like a saint. He spent years among monks. Martial Arts, to him, was merely a means to fulfill his spiritual quest. He mixed Tai Chi with other forms of martial arts to make it more sophisticated and refined it to a level of true art. I have great respect for him. God bless you
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
actually i am talking about martial arts in a whole. yes, tony jaa is from muay thai background but in his films he mixed every other types of martial arts including taekwondo, capoeira, pencak silat, wushu, etc. it is the same like how bruce lee formed his own jeet kun do by combining all the powerful elements (and ignore the weak elements) of every types of martial arts into one. jackie chan mixed a lot of other types of martial art too but because he is also a comedian, he likes to mix a lot of fun/humour parts of martial arts into his movies, which made his movies widely acceptable for all levels of age. jet li is a shaolin disciple where he learnt shaolin kungfu to improve health, uphold justice, self-defence, and helping the weak. there are tens of thousands of kungfu/wushu styles, with several hundred have some relationship with shaolin. and jet li had mastered most of the greatest kungfu/wushu skills. but back to the question, i strongly believe that tony jaa is the greatest martial artist for this 10 years and the coming 10 years, as he is the most well-rounded of all martial art action stars nowadays.
@ghieptc (2522)
• Philippines
6 Apr 10
I think Jet Lee and Jacky Chan are the best martial arts performers because they are legend. Steven Seagal is also good in his aikido martial arts. Chuck Noris is a legend also in martial arts.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
6 Apr 10
yes, of course, they are great and they are legend, but they are now old and some already retired. going back to the question, i am asking about the greatest martial arts performer for this age not of all-time? donnie yen and tony jaa are really great if you do watch their movies of recent years. they have mixed a lot of aspects/instruments of the modern age into their martial arts movies.
@cany10 (10)
• Cyprus
6 Apr 10
bruce lee by far