Great action movies have long been in the mainstream for generating a sense of excitement and adrenaline to the audience. It is without doubt that any great action movie will have fans believing they could take on the bad guy and complete the crazy dangerous stunts. The difficult and demanding action adventure movies are loved and appreciated worldwide, and it must be said that Hong Kong has contributed to possibly some of the most action-packed and inspiring movies of all time.
These can include some of the best action sequences of all time, especially impressive martial arts scenes. Although it is important to clarify the distinction between martial arts and Kung Fu within the action genre, as there’s a whole range of great martial arts movies which should likely stand on their own as a subgenre apart from more modern, action-packed films which rely on gunfights. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the greatest Hong Kong action movies that that all include the qualities of the best classic action movie - car chases, plenty of bloody fist fights, balletic gunfights, and even the occasional robbery.
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7 A Better Tomorrow
Cinema City & Films Co.
This 1986 action movie, directed by John Woo, had a profound influence on Hong Kong cinema and is still considered a landmark film that spurred on an array of bloodshed-filled, action-packed films. The story follows the relationship of Tse Ho, a top triad member and criminal, with his adopted brother from the organization, Mark “Gor” Lee and his actual brother, Tse Kit, who has just graduated from the Police Academy.
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The movie is recognized for its machine-gun violence and intense moments of male bonding, as well as snippets of humor. A Better Tomorrow is filled with themes of redemption, grief, and morality, following the tense relationship story between the brothers after the death of their father. With both guns blazing, this action movie is an absolute classic.
6 The Killer
Film Workshop
Just a few years after A Better Tomorrow kickstarted John Woo’s movie career, 1989’s The Killer shot it straight into the limelight and at the time of its release it was one of the most successful action films coming from Hong Kong. The film is about Ah Jong, who is a brutal assassin, but during a job, he accidentally blinds an innocent woman. Even though he had decided to quit, he decides to take on one last job, in order to raise money to reimburse the girl. The Killer is full of John Woo’s well known trademarks as a filmmaker - slow motion, incredible gun shooting sequences and impressive camera shots, all of which add to the tension and classic action movie atmosphere.
5 Hard Boiled
TWC
Released in 1992, Hard Boiled is still considered one of Hong Kong’s best action movies, and one of the best films of all time. When a cop loses his partner in a shoot-out, he works with an undercover officer working as a gangster hitman, on a mission to find the gun smugglers. As expected, the movie is action-packed and, of course, brutal and bloody, which every action fan loves to see. Not to mention that this movie was action at its craziest, with stunts like never before, and undoubtedly set the bar extremely high for the future of action movies.
4 Full Contact
Golden Princess Film Distribution
When Jeff, who works as a nightclub bouncer in Bangkok, saves his friend Sam from a beating by the local loan shark, the two team up with Sam’s cousin Judge to rob an arms shipment. The loan shark must then persuade Judge to turn against him. 1992 Hong Kong action movie, Full Contact, is incredibly tense but also gives you time to care about the characters, who are of course insanely cool, especially amongst the action sequences. Throughout the film, there are themes of loyalty, betrayal and redemption, though there are several plot twists keeping it unpredictable and the audience incredibly engaged.
3 Police Story
Golden Harvest
Police Story is a 1985 Hong Kong action movie, starring and produced by Jackie Chan. The story follows Chan’s character, Kevin Chan, trying to protect the girlfriend of a gangster from being abducted and killed but must clear his own name after being accused of murder. Of course, in true action style, there are a lot of twists in the script and brilliant physical acting, like brutal fight scenes and crazy stunts. The movie was a massive hit and played overseas in arthouse cinemas and was a pivotal role for Chan’s career. Police Story was the first of a brilliant action films series, it was so successful that it led to three sequels, a spin-off and two reboots, but the original remains one of the best detective movies from the ’80s and one of the best action films of its decade.
2 Long Arm of the Law
1984’s Long Arm of the Law brought a more realistic view of criminal life to Hong Kong cinema screens and paved the way for action filmmakers. The story follows a gang of thieves who have taken up temporary residence in Hong Kong to plot a robbery on a jewelery store. Each one of them plans on taking their gains to the mainland and living filthy rich. However, things don’t go to plan and quickly spiral out of control, tackling mayhem on the streets of Hong Kong. The gritty film utilizes the crime genre to create an explosive gun-filled thriller, whilst also looking at the issue of Hong Kong’s relationship with the Mainland, which was something to keep the audience on the edge of their seat.
1 A Hero Never Dies
Milkyway Image
The 1998 Hong Kong action crime drama A Hero Never Dies was directed by the brilliant Johnnie To and was his first of many great works for Milkyway Images. The action movie is a violent tale of Triad rivalry and friendship in the middle of gang violence. It has been likened to 1986 film A Better Tomorrow, as both men are betrayed and deceived by their bosses, but To’s specific trademarks as a director makes the film transcend any influences, and leads the way for 21st century Hong Kong cinema. The movie is filled with visually impressive action that is spread throughout to keep the audience entertained with classic action characteristics, like plenty of shocking shootouts and a magificent finale.
