Jet Li Only Made One Old-School Kung Fu Movie In His Career, And It’s A Must-Watch

by

Jet Li is a famous martial arts actor with a long history in Hong Kong cinema. However, despite starring in many action films, only one truly fits the classic ‘kung fu’ style: Martial Arts of Shaolin.

Jet Li starred in Martial Arts of Shaolin, released in 1986, early in his rising career. The film, directed by acclaimed director Lau Kar-leung, completed an informal trilogy of martial arts movies that began with his first film, Shaolin Temple, and continued with Kids from Shaolin.

What Makes Martial Arts of Shaolin Such An Important Movie For Jet Li

《Martial Arts of Shaolin》 signaled the end of an era for classic kung fu films. These movies from the 1970s and 80s are now remembered for their historical settings, focus on traditional Chinese martial arts, intense training scenes, stories of revenge, and elaborate fight choreography. They were known for their exaggerated action and lengthy, unbroken shots.

Hong Kong continues to produce martial arts films, but the classic style most people remember hasn’t been popular for quite some time. It was already losing ground by the mid-1980s, and the closure of Shaw Brothers’ film studio – a major force in that genre – signaled the decline of traditional kung fu movies.

As Shaw Brothers wrapped up their filmmaking days, they gave us Martial Arts of Shaolin, and it’s a classic example of what they did best. The film stars Jet Li, and it’s a pretty straightforward revenge story: a young man enters the Shaolin Temple hoping to learn the skills he needs to settle a score. It really embodies that traditional Shaw Brothers feel.

Released near the end of Shaw Brothers’ famous kung fu film era, Martial Arts of Shaolin was Jet Li’s only film of its kind. He then became known for starring in the next wave of popular martial arts movies – historical epics and wuxia films – including titles like Hero and Once Upon a Time in China.

Hong Kong film studios used to spend weeks or months meticulously choreographing fight scenes, but those days are over. The unique collaboration between Lau Kar-leung and Jet Li in Martial Arts of Shaolin – their only film together – is especially memorable because of its fantastic action, and it’s a film that hasn’t been replicated since.

Read More

2026-02-19 06:18