Another Top 10 Best fight scenes of all time
READ ALSO: The top 10 best movie fights
They say you can never have enough of a good thing. In this case, we count ten more fights considered to be the pinnacle of action cinema. Yes, we may have included in our previous list Jackie Chan’s work on “Drunken Master II” (1994), Tarantino’s epic conclusion in his blood-soaked epic that is “Kill Bill Volume 1” (2003) and some work from a former stuntman involving a stoic assassin (i.e., John Wick) but the occasion forces us to include an extra pair of adrenaline infused moments begging for cinematic attention: from the raging and hyper-stylized shoot outs of the now cult classic “John Wick Chapter 4” (2023) to John Woo’s meticulously planned gun battle inside a hospital in “Hard Boiled” (1992) to the bloody mess that Gareth Evans’ “The Raid 2” (2014) leaves behind, it is time for the work of choreographers, stunt coordinators and martial arts consultants to shine on the big screen. Let’s show some love for these professionals who endanger their lives for our entertainment’s sake with jaw-dropping and effect-free scenes. Just finish him already!
10. The Raid 2 (2014) - Rama vs the Assassin
Having single handedly defeated Jakarta’s entire crime world, Rama heads to confront the final boss that set this whole bloody (gangster) story into motion. Yet, the elusively named Assassin stands in his way (grin and all) culminating into a visceral battle of deadly Silat display across the most stunning restaurant kitchen you will ever see. Splattered across 7 glorious minutes and director Gareth Evans’ personal favourite fight, this brutal clash has such complex choreography making it impossible to keep up. Elevating the stakes by adding kerambit knives where a wrong move can result in instant death, Evans makes most of his actors who perform all their unique pirouettes and blows in wide takes and frames. It might not be as stylish as the other entries in this list, but its direction, choreography and level of thrills which elevate it right at the top. It is frankly quite amazing how such as a small scale flick compared with the massive budgets and experts that surround US productions, can result into this type of glorious cinematic eye candy.
Direction:
🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬
Choreography:
👊👊👊👊👊
Stunt work:
🏍🏍
Visceral level:
💀💀💀💀💀
Style:
👓
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭
Standout moment: Rama’s sequence of lighting fast blows to finish off the Assassin gives the audience room to breathe after 7 edge-to-your-seat minutes.
9. Mortal Kombat (1995) - Johnny Cage vs Scorpion
The fight which started the wire fu craze in the US. Embracing its 2-dimensional origins, Johnny Cage faces off Scorpion first in a lovely symmetrical and disoriented forest arena and then in … Hell because why not. Under spectacular production design that allows for some acrobatic wirework, Cage barely holds up his own against the ninja’s relentless assault. The perfectly chosen soundscape (Fear Factory’s instrumental version of “Zero Signal”) gives the face off a fast-paced feeling while John R. Leonetti’s cinematography devours this grandiose stage of webs, bones and old wooden structures in glorious hellish colours making this scene the highlight of the film and an organic translation of the infamous arcade fighting game. This particularly brutal for PG-13 duel is not kung fu friendly and indicated Anderson’s eye for vivid visuals. Using wide takes to emphasize the athletism of his duo and body cameras to get us inside the meat of the action, this moment is arguably a staple in American action cinema. Anyone to argue otherwise is a fool.
Direction:
🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬
Choreography:
👊👊👊👊👊
Stunt work:
🏍🏍🏍
Visceral level:
💀💀💀💀
Style:
👓👓
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭
Standout moment: While Johnny Cage looks confused in the newly discovered (and bone filled) arena, Scorpion appears behind him and yells “Welcome!” before punching him in the face. You can’t fault the demon for having a (wicked) sense of humour.
8. The Raid (2011) - Rama vs the machete gang
Having already won the title of the best film fight there is, it is only appropriate to include its smaller set pieces here. While the early action scenes are stunning to watch, it was the machete stand off that caused audiences around the world to erupt in joy. When every move results into your timely and brutal death, Rama squares off against four guys armed with machetes in the narrow corridors of the most degenerate apartment complex on the planet. Taking cues from videogame tactics, these guys are tougher, faster and more lethal; meanwhile Rama is being slow down by his police gear and Evans’ clever visual storytelling leans heavily towards inventive and terminal use of the surroundings as Rama tries continuously to get out of a machete’s POV. The pulse pounding and cool score from Joseph Trapanese and Mike Shinoda only ends up making things better. However, all this would be nothing if we did not glimpse fresh, exciting and and smart action choreography which redefined the genre and cinema as a whole.
Direction:
🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬
Choreography:
👊👊👊👊👊
Stunt work:
🏍🏍🏍
Visceral level:
💀💀💀💀💀
Style:
👓👓
Characters:
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Standout moment: There is a particularly … jaw-dropping moment at the beginning of the fight.
7. The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) - Jackie Chan Vs Jet Li
The action gods were kind enough to bless us with a film starring two of the biggest martial arts giants of all time (Jackie Chan, Jet Li). “The Forbidden Kingdom” is a simplified love letter to classic Hong Kong cinema and Chinese mythology backed by a big budget and can be seen as a mild attempt to a Chinese “Lord of the Rings” fantasy flick. However, it is remembered mostly for the skirmish between Li’s Silent Monk and Chan’s Drunken Immortal. Director Rob Minkoff uses (surprisingly for his resume) wide takes to highlight the fast paced choreography of Yuen Woo-ping (e.g., “Fist of Legend” (1994), “The Matrix” (1999)) that does great justice of the duo’s talents both of whom even at their later ages (Chan was 53; Li 47) still move gracefully with unmatched flexibility, executing flawlessly wonderful wire/foot/jab work. The cherry on top is the infused humour, throughout the display of several kung fu styles (e.g., praying mantis, tiger) causing audiences around the world to thrill at the sight of these action masters facing each other.
Direction:
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Choreography:
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Stunt work:
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Visceral level:
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Style:
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Characters:
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Standout moment: “What kind of monk are you huh? Stealing from travelers! Aaaah, a silent one I see… or deaf!”
6. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005) - Cloud vs Sephiroth
Constantly teased throughout the film, the return of Sephiroth leads to a super-powered rematch between Shinra’s mightiest ex-soldier vs (a depressed-struck) Cloud. Director Tetsuya Nomura delivers a 9 minute over-extended skirmish that sees the silvered hair antagonist flying now giving a new dynamic to his fight as Sephiroth plays with Cloud, overpowering him effortlessly while muttering deliciously cold lines (“Tell me what you cherish most; give me the pleasure of taking it away”). As they slice walls and buildings like butter, when Nobuo Uematsu’s monumental “One Wing Angel” track hits its high point mid way through, Cloud and Sephiroth are dueling among gigantic falling debris ignoring all gravity laws in existence. Making a strong case about the (real) power of conviction amidst dazzling animation and inconceivable camerawork, “FFVIII:AC“ proved just how far ahead Japanese filmmakers were in action with photorealistic models.
Direction:
🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬
Choreography:
👊👊👊👊👊
Stunt work:
🏍
Visceral level:
💀
Style:
👓👓👓👓👓
Characters:
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Standout moment: Sephiroth declaring Cloud to drop on his knees and beg for forgiveness before he lets an entire building collapsing on him is peak cooking.
5. Police Story (1985) - Shopping mall fight
Jackie Chan could easily have a top ten list himself, his resume has hundreds of contact sequences demonstrating his unique combination of street fighting style, painful and life-threatening stunts and his Chaplinesque signature humour. Despite having some solid bouts in his “Project A” (1983), it was not until his “Police Story” (1985) where the Chan-ography (if you will) really took off. Boasting a more serious tone, the climatic and now legendary shopping mall fight is a testament to Chan’s artistic (yes, artistic) genius and persistence to craft something that will remain a cinema stable. When American cinema has several goons waiting to take turns to attack the hero, Chan’s fast-paced contact sparring filled with jaw dropping stunts which are highlighted by expert editing and crystal clear framing is a different beast altogether. Chaotic yet steady, this scene will leave you screaming, squirming and wincing at its plethora of WTF moments. A gargantuan achievement.
Direction:
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Choreography:
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Stunt work:
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Visceral level:
💀💀💀💀💀
Style:
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Characters:
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Stand out moment: Chan’s sliding door a pole with lights is being shown three times to emphasize the craziness of one of the most infamous stunts in cinema history.
4. Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021) - Himura vs Enishi
The “Rurouni Kenshin” movies (2012-2021) have a great deal of top notch sword fights and several lists can be made just from this franchise alone. Despite the vast number of exquisite face offs, the highly anticipated climax between Himura Kenshin and Yukishiro Enishi is one for the ages. Portrayed to perfection by Takeru Satoh and McKenyu (of the now “One Piece” (2023-present) fame) respectively, these two proceed to demolish Enishi’s Chinese inspired mansion. Its long takes and highly dynamic moves involving different sword styles are simply a joy to watch and a testament to novel filmmaking; you ain’t seen a sword duel like this one before supported by the actors doing their own stunt work including flips, slides and jumps. It is amazing how US cinema with all the money in the world does not come remotely close to what Asia makes in action staging. “The Final” is a peak blockbuster that does not only show a tremendous final face off but it looks slick doing so too.
PS No video was found for this one on YouTube.
Direction:
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Choreography:
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Stunt work:
🏍🏍🏍🏍
Visceral level:
💀💀💀
Style:
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Characters:
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Standout moment: Enishi’s slide work makes it impossible for Himura to deliver a knockout blow and end this quickly.
3. Hard Boiled (1992) - Alan Vs Mad Dog
John Woo’s action magnum opus culminates (as most of the entries in this list) into a 40 minute extended sequence filled with bullets, explosions and flying debris. Featuring several memorable (and pop culture defining) moments (e.g., the 2 and half minute one take, Tequila saving a toddler gun at hand), it is the face off between Alan and villain number 2, Mad Dog that highlights Woo’s ability to stage ultra slick and staggering fights where instead of swords, they feature guns. Gun choreography has never looked cooler and these two are using anything they get their hands on to defeat each other within the narrow corridors of a hospital-turned-arms-factory: berettas, assault rifles, grenades, medical curtains, glass and more are all extensions of their bodies. The stuntwork is exceptionally phenomenal but it is the staging of the devastating bullet mayhem under multiple angles and in slo-mo too that gives this combat such flair. To think Woo’s Hollywood work is superior or even remotely good, you must have the mental capacity and comprehension of the saved toddler.
Direction:
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Choreography:
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Stunt work:
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Visceral level:
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Style:
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Characters:
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Stand out moment: Despite being a vicious … canine, Mad Dog’s Mexican stand off with Alan between patients demonstrates an interesting sense of honor.
2. Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021): Himura vs Souji Okita
By far the best clash across the five “Rurouni Kenshin” film, this duel is easily the least “anime/manga” inspired entry. When Himura Kenshin finds out his colleagues (or co-conspirators if you will) have been massacred by the Shinsengumi, he runs to their aid only to be unexpectedly stopped by the relentless sword prodigy that is the (real historical figure) Souji Okita. Nijirou Murakami clearly relishes on his role as the talented swordmaster giving almost Himura a run for his money. Director Keishi Outomo wisely used very long takes to capture the complex slicing and dicing moves of these two done by the actors themselves. The incorporation of Okita’s famous move "Sandan-Tsuki" (3-stages thrust) is a nice touch forcing Kenshin to find a new way to dispatching this tougher than usual opponent who is as equally lethal as he is despite being suffering from tuberculosis. Naoki Satou’s atmospheric score with chimes and bells gives this confrontation an urgent and ominous feeling; one of these will have to go down.
Direction:
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Choreography:
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Stunt work:
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Visceral level:
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Style:
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Characters:
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Standout moment: The camera follows Okita behind a stone lantern en garde - in a blink and you will miss it shot, he coughs blood due to his illness which nonetheless has no effect in his fighting abilities.
1. John Wick Chapter 4 (2023) - Staircase fight
Who could have expected the fourth entry in a franchise to be frankly the best? No one is the answer. Yet Chad Stahelski’s final return(?) to the world of John Wick revolutionized more the action department than its predecessors already had. Its a 40 minute climax quenches even the most hardcore action aficionados leading towards a penultimate battle between Wick and the Marquis’ goons in the stairs towards the Sacre Coeur. Tyler Bates’ and Joel P. Richard’s a lovely musical node to Leone’s “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly” (1968) initiates this final grappling shoot-out; Wick plows his way through a man squad across the 222 steps in a wonderful node to Donkey Kong where barrels are expert stuntmen. Masterfully lit, directed and scored, we are with Wick all the way who employs every tactic and trick at his disposal to lay waste to a never ending army of French noobs. The spectacular stuntwork is chef’s kiss and really makes the strongest case for having a separate awards category for stunt work, the only category so far being neglected erroneously.
Direction:
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Choreography:
👊👊👊👊👊
Stunt work:
🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍
Visceral level:
💀💀💀💀💀
Style:
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Characters:
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Standout moment: Wick reaches the top of the stairs only to fall down again all the way to the bottom in one spectacular stunt take.