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Score from 1 to 10 on the following
Alexander Lo
What it did for his career
Brought him up from a bit player in movies like Kung Fu Commandos with John Liu, to holding his own against him in Northern Kicks, Southern Blows. Movies like Shaolin vs Lama and Ninja vs Shaolin Guards, though good vehicles for him, seemed to really showcase the talents of his co-stars Chan Shan in Shaolin vs Lama and Han Ying Ninja vs Shaolin Guards. And the fact that his movies are usually somewhat "sped-up", didn't help either.Still a force to be reckoned with on the screen, he was still one of the few dynamic kickers with muscles, who could actually move quite well, in spite of his muscular body. He starred in a lot of films that were either choreographed of diirected by Robert Tai.
Some of his best work
Total = 28 points
Alex Lung
What it did for his career
He came virtually from nowhere, to star in the cult-classic Dragons Never Die. He had an excellent Side-kick, and thats about all. Didn't star in a great number of films that really tested him as a full-fledged Kicker. Films like Thunderfist and Chinese Tiger had him up against stars that made him look bad, even though his skill level definitely above average. His skills were enough to get him into movies, but weren't enough to keep him in them. Like many, he made a few films, then slowly drifted into obscurity.
Some of his best work
Total = 26 points
Billy Chong
What it did for his career
A great deal. It got him signed to a multi-picture deal with Eternal Films in the late '70s. With the lull in Jackie Chan's career during his transition from Lo Wei Films to Golden Harvest, he became an instant star in the eyes of millions. Possessing some very smooth leg work, coupled with a real intensity and flair for dynamic action, each of his films showased his talent to the limit. Holding his own against some of Kung-fu's top stars, though never sharing the screen with some of the genre's better performers. It's ashamed that he did get to star opposite stars like Wang Jang-li and Wang Lung-Wei, who could have brought out the best in him.With just a handful of kung-fu films under his belt, we probably didn't see the best he had to offer. Films like Super Power, Kung Fu from Beyond the Grave, Jade Claw, and Kung Fu Executioner gave fans ample opportunities to see some of his best work. I've seen some of his other work (Indonesian films) and it's safe to say that he will probably remain in everyone's Top 20 of the best kickers in the genre.
Some of his best work
Total = 38 points
Billy Chow
What it did for his career
This former Thai Boxing champ, though he has come a long way, he still hasn't been given a breakout role. The closes was in Fists of Legends, where his mere presence onscreen evoked excitement. Doesn't always get to show off the fancy stuff as much as the stars he fights in films. Given the right role, he could make a lot of people forget about Kent Lo, because he gives more attitude (credibility) to his villainous roles.Some of his best work
Total = 30 points
Bruce Liang
What it did for his career
From a stuntman to an action star, isn't bad at all. This stocky fellow had great capabilities with his legs and showed them often. When I used to see he playing as a stuntman, I never knew that he he possessed such great movement and timing. Obviously, through a lot of dedication he has emerged as one of kung-fu's best kickers.Paired against friend Yasuaki Kurata in Call Me Dragon, they lit up the screen with some of the best kicking you'll see in a long time. In an earlier the film, Little Godfather from Hong Kong, they went "Blow-for-blow" in an amazing leg battle. Though he doesn't look the part, his kicking abilities could rival just about any of the top leg-fighters in the kung-fu genre.
Some of his best work
Total = 34 points
Cassanova Wong
What it did for his career
This man's legs could do just about anything he wanted them to. Even in the silly film The Master Strikes, he showcased some awesome kicking abilities. Triple-Kicks, Spin Kicks, Jump Kicks, you name it, he could do it. Nowhere more evident, is his excellent ability with these kicks as in the hit Fearless Young Boxer.In the movie, star Peter Chen literally had to take his legs from him, in order to beat him. He was normally placed in films as a co-star or villain, when in some cases, he should have been the star. Though, Warriors 2 showcased his abilities, the film Duel of the 7 Tigers let us see what could have been. When he is given room to perform, he is definitely first class material.
Some of his best work
Total = 39 points
Chai Kai
What it did for his career
Sometimes a villain, sometimes the side-kick to the hero, but always entertaining, he seems to hide in the background of most of his films. When he's not kicking up a storm, it's usually because he's doing the choreography for the film. In 2 Assassin of the Darkness, as a villain, he gave the stars some stiff competition. In the classic 7 Steps of Kung Fu, his kicking abilities even out-classed Cheng Tien-chi's acrobatics.In Mar's Villa, he should have had a bigger part (with more fighting), as he did in Fearless Young Boxer. I think one of his must-see films would have to be Of Cooks & Kung Fu, where he got to showcase everything from those excellent kicks, to his versitility as an actor as well. When given the opportunity to shine, he was never disappointing.
Some of his best work
Total = 33 points
Chang Shan
What it did for his career
When he started kicking butt in the classic Shaolin vs Lama, you just knew you wanted to see him in action again. Possessing the flexibility of John Liu, his kicks were smoother, because he can control his movement better. Even his small part in Ninja Hunter let us know that he could hang with the best of them and was definitely Top 10 material.His only problem was that he wasn't given more roles that showcased his kicking ability. 5 Fighter from Shaolin was good, but not enough, whereas Shaolin Temple Strikes Back, showed what he could do and then some. It was a shame that his talents weren't nurtured and pushed in the right direction, as he was one of the best.
Some of his best work
Total = 38 points
Chang Yi-Tao
What it did for his career
Though he wasn't one of the better Bruce Lee impersonators, he was one of the best kickers when compared to them. His movement (and his movies), fared better when he wasn't trying to portray Bruce Lee. Films like Mantis Combat and Blooded Treasury Fight showcased his leg skill in a much better light than his facial "muggings". As a Manchu henchman in the Shaw classic Return to the 36th Chambers, he showed a flair with his kicks, not too often seen in his films. His only problem was being trapped in the Lee roles, that somehow took away from some great kicking.Some of his best work
Total = 27 points
Club Foot
What it did for his career
Like Billy Chow, I'm just waiting for his breakout role, where he really gets to show his stuff. Having played along side (and doubled for) Jet Li, he can definitely hold his own with when it comes to kicking. He always seems to have his true skills confined in order to make others look better. One would think that a director like Tsui Hark would have used those feet to better advantage than he did in the lackluster film Double Team, but when you're working with Van Damme and Dennis Rodman, you just pray the movie's director can still keep his focus.In one of his best showing to date, he played the "Lotus Cult" leader in Once Upon a Time in China-2 and going "Toe-to-Toe" (pun not intended), with Jet Li. The Blade showed more intensity from him than kicks, but given the proper role, he will definitely see his star rise as high as his kicks.
Some of his best work
Total = 34 points
Donnie Yen
What it did for his career
Like Alexander Lo, he seems to like to "Under-crank" the camera, to make his movements seem faster than they really are. An exceptional talent who really doesn't need camera tricks to enhance his gifts, he just needs to use them more often in quality roles. A well-rounded athlete, sometimes his other attributes (weaponry), actually overshadow his kicking abilities.Though, most loved him in Iron Monkey, I thoroughly enjoyed him in Drunken Tai-Chi (his best work to date), because there weren't an abundance of "wires" and he had to use pure skill to make the action work. Films like Iron Monkey-2 had him looking ridiculous, because the action (camera cranked to the max), almost look cartoon-ish, to say the least.
Some of his best work
Total = 27 points
Dragon Lee
What it did for his career
Bruce Lee impersonations aside, he had some pretty good kicking abilities. Having trained with students of legendary kicker Whang In-Sik, his kicks should've had some real impact on them. When you overlooked his "theatrics" onscreen, you'll see a lot of "gut-busting" kicks, with some good speed backing them up.Having fought against Wang Jang-Li onscreen a few times, he held his own and made a believer out of me. Still highly outclassed by others in the "Leg Department", he really worked at his craft (and it showed). Though, he'll be remembered for his Bruce Lee impersonations, he could have just as easily been known for his kicks.
Some of his best work
Total = 28 points
Elton Chong
What it did for his career
Aside from the silly roles that he usually plays, he also possessed the kind of kicking ability that most could envy. Though, his normal villain Han Ying, easily outclassed him, he was quite capable of using his kicks to his advantage. And, while, a lot of his films had fast action ("Undercranking" was a Korean trademark in kung-fu films), they were nowhere near the ridiculous speed of a Donny Yen film. If you can overlook this fault, his films took a page from the Master (Jimmy Wang-Yu), as he gives you these long fight scenes, which give you a better look at what he's capable of with his feet.Some of his best work
Total = 31 points
Han Ying
What it did for his career
Definitely. This guy had the goods. He thoroughly outclassed John Liu's kicks (and Wang Tao's hands) in one of my favorite films Death Duel of Kung Fu. He has some very smooth kicks and a villainous attitude to go along with them. In Ninja vs Shaolin Guards, his ability was definitely highlighted, as he made Alexander Lo's kicks look like he was playing "Patty Cake". Flexible, tough, fast, you couldn't ask for more in a kicker. He's never disappointing when his showing his stuff and was always a joy to watch.Some of his best work
Total = 36 points
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