Ten Incredible Kung Fu Movie Techniques Actually Useful in Real Life
Though some kung fu movie techniques seem too good to be true, others could really be useful in real life given the correct knowledge. Mastery of the very challenging martial art kung fu has been fundamental in many famous Movies. Unquestionably, the amazing choreography and rigorous discipline of many signature moves that make the martial art so uniquely special appeal kung fu movies. Some kung fu moves used in these films are as fictional as the characters who execute them, such the ridiculous but still iconic Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique from Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill series.
Entertainment and Reality
Still, other moves—as well as looking amazing—are really useful in the real world. These realistic kung fu moves give viewers heart-pounding action sequences anchored in reality, so offering a real mix of authenticity and entertainment. Even if some of these actions are obviously overdone for the films they are in, they are nonetheless a remarkable stimulant for bringing the kung fu genre to global popularity.
Eagle Claw: A Strong Holding
Starring the venerable Bruce Lee as Chen Zhen, a student driven to defend China and exact revenge for his master's death, 1972's Fist of Fury is among the most popular kung fu films ever. Renowned for its realistic fighting choreography anchored on the Eagle Claw technique, Fist of Fury Acting much like the talons of an eagle, this kind of kung fu entails a fighter grabbing particular muscles and pressure points of their opponent to momentarily paralysis them. Lee mostly uses Eagle Claw in Fist of Fury, especially in the third act, and it has since become one of the most often used disciplines of kung fu in both Movies and the real world. Lee uses the method notably when he breaks free from an opponent's hold by invading a dojo and attacking his ankle. Lee's use of Eagle Claw in Fist of Fury helped establish him as a legend not only of the genre but of the martial art itself.
Stunning Acrobatic Movement: Butterfly Kick
Both in real life and on film, the Butterfly Kick is among the most technically beautiful kung fu moves one could learn to execute successfully. To surprise their opponent, the martial artist executes a defensive horizontal flip and kicks out. This action is so well-liked that it appears in movies not centred on kung fu, especially in The Phantom Menace when Darth Maul employs it during a lightsaber duel with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. The most well-known application of the move within the kung fu genre comes from the 2002 Jet Li film Hero, in which he plays an anonymous assassin. In one of the most unforgettable sequences of the film, Nameless challenges Sky (Donnie Yen) with an amazing Butterfly Kick to try to defeat his opponent, so highlighting the technical challenge of such a feat in the process. Although in real life martial arts less effective than in movies, the Butterfly Kick is no less acrobatic and striking when performed well.
Shadowless Kick: A Misdirection and Speed Move
Popularized by Chinese folk legend Wong Fei-hung, the kung fu move known as the Shadowless Kick is marked by misdirection, strength, most importantly, speed. As they kick with lightning-fast reflexes, the kicker keeps their upper body mostly still, surprising their opponent. Although its use in kung fu films and popular culture definitely exaggerates the reality of the speed of the kick, this mythology around the move has made it among the most appealing to viewers. The action is repeated several times in Jet Li's Once Upon a Time in China when Li (who plays a fictionalized version of Wong Fei-hung) is defending China from outside invaders. Li's application of the Shadowless Kick in Once Upon a Time in China helped define the movement as a pillar of the martial art.
Palm Strike: a flexible and strong technique
The palm strike is among the easiest but most flexible kung fu moves used in both movies and real-life. Unlike a conventional punch, the palm strike reduces the risk of hand injury in the process by using the heel of the palm to inflict major force upon the opponent. The simplicity of the palm strike has helped it to become well-known in the whole martial arts field but especially in kung fu films. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is one of the most well-known kung fu films using the palm strike in their choreographed fights. One of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's most well-known sequences, the classic fight scene between Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) and Jen (Zhang Ziyi) makes particular use of the palm strike. During a fierce sword fight, Shu Lien regularly confounds Jen by fast striking with her palm, finally overcoming her opponent with that move. A classic martial arts film with comparable fight scenes found in other movies using wire-fu techniques is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Praying Mantis: a Precision and Sharpness Style
Inspired by the movements of a praying mantis itself, this kung fu technique combines joint locks, sharp hand motions, and counterattacks under its name and fighting approach. One of the most amazing kung fu styles to see is the praying mantis technique since its sharpness and accuracy enable one to effectively apply it. Consequently, the technique has been used several times in different kung fu films. The most well-known of these applications is found in 1978's Shaolin Mantis, in which Wei Fung (David Chiang) seeks to subvert an Emperor's orders-based revolt. With many other kung fu films striving to replicate the realism of its choreography, Shaolin Mantis introduced the Praying Mantis kung fu technique into the forefront of popular culture. Mantis (Seth Rogen) in Kung Fu Panda presents an exaggerated version of the praying mantis style, which is maybe the most well-known among these replicants. Still, Shaolin Mantis's approach—especially in the last fight scene—stands the test of time and most resembles the kung fu style observed in actual life.
Monkey Kung Fu: a wite and agile style
Monkey kung fu is one of the most acrobatic kung fu forms; it calls for as much mental agility as physical strength and will. Mostly used in the real world to swiftly overcome one's opponent by disorientation, monkey kung fu is mostly modeled by slaps, clawing motions, and evasive movements. Monkey kung fu, among the most unusual martial art forms, became a mainstay of the kung fu genre very fast. The narrative of a young thief, also known as Monkey (Hsiao Hou), told in Shaw Brothers' Mad Monkey Kung Fu is one of learning the kung fu techniques from his guardian, Chen (Lau Kar-leung). Combining Chen's ancient knowledge with Monkey's natural acrobatic ability, he creates his own discipline of monkey kung fu that would provide the film its name. Kung Fu Panda also modified this form of kung fu in how Master Monkey's (Jackie Chan) techniques were portrayed.
Deception and Grace in Motion: Drunken Fighting
Though the name implies, the Drunken Fighting style is an ancient kung fu method noted by experts as "elegance and grace in motion" (via Kung Fu Magazine). Under the rather basic idea of copying a drunk person, this kung fu technique mostly employs fluid off-balance attacks and dishonesty to seize advantage of their opponents lowering their guard. The unexpected nature of the attacks of the Drunken Fighting style surprisingly makes this kung fu technique one of the most effective if pulled off correctly. As a fictionalized Wong Fei-hung in Drunken Master, a kung fu film emphasizing humorous choreography for its viewers, Jackie Chan stars. From his alcoholic master, Beggar So (Yuen Siu-Tin), Wong Fei-hung picks up the Drunken Fighting style and finally masters his own kung fu form. The final fight scene of Drunken Master sees Wong Fei-hung use his unique Drunken Fighting style to defeat the violent killer Yim Tit-sam (Hwang Jang-lee).
A Cool and Powerful Movement: Spelling Hand Strike
One of the coolest and most influential kung fu techniques that has been sensationalized by the movies is the Spear Hand strike, which sees an open hand using all four fingers to strike vulnerable parts of the body. Despite it being seen as a relatively straightforward technique on the big screen, in reality, it is an extremely complicated kung fu strike to get right. This is because the intense pressure exerted on one's fingers during a misguided strike could lead to a broken finger or two. The Spear Hand Strike is incredibly popular in the movies, even making its way into those that aren't centered around kung fu, such as when Neo (Keanu Reeves) uses the move against Agent Smith's (Hugo Weaving) neck in The Matrix. The action is also used in quite similar manner in the last fight scene of Buddha Assassinator. Kung fu scholar Shao Hai (Meng Hoi) faces off against the cruel Prince Tsoi (Hwang Jang Lee), and, after an intense fight, Hai eventually defeats Tsoi via a devastating Spear Hand Strike to the throat.
Wing Chun Chain Punches: A Trapping Method Designed Rapidly
This real-life kung fu technique has not just been made popular by the movies but by its adaptation into a host of other media, including the fighting game, Tekken. It typically involves a series of rapid-fire strikes against the opponent, repeatedly causing them to block and parry. While being unlikely to incapacitate them in their own right (unlike in the movies), the Wing Chun Chain Punch can provide a trapping effect whereby the opponent is too busy responding to the barrage of strikes to retaliate effectively. Wing Chun Chain Punches are used in Ip Man, a movie that focuses on the life of Bruce Lee's titular trainer, to reiterate the high-octane nature of the fights on screen. While Lee was responsible for popularizing the move in kung fu movies, he learned the technique from Ip Man. With its appearances in popular culture being innumerable, it is a fair assessment to state that the Wing Chun Chain Punches are one of the most popular kung fu moves of all time.
Snake Kung Fu - A Devastatingly Effective Style
Snake Kung Fu takes its name from the smooth, agile movements of a snake and the ability of the animal to sharply strike its prey with force at vital points. Of course, when used in kung fu, the "prey" is one's opponent. By using a combination of uniquely fluid moves and precise strikes, this style of kung fu is often used to quickly incapacitate an opponent before they can do any damage, making it one of the most devastatingly effective kung fu techniques. In Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, Jackie Chan's character, Chien Fu, learns the ways of Snake Kung Fu from his teacher, Pai Cheng-tien (Yuen Siu-tien). Chien Fu eventually uses his knowledge of snake kung fu to defeat the evil leader of the Eagle Claw Clan, Sheng Kuan (Hwang Jang-lee). Along with Drunken Master, Snake in the Eagle's Shadow helped establish Chan as a pioneer of entertaining kung fu movie choreography.
