Poll of the Day > In martial arts movies the good guy is always defending and the bad guy always

(+) Yeah! (+)

Attacks first?

Anyone noticed this? The good guy gets into the pose and starts countering the bad guys advances who charges at him

Yeah a high defense and waiting for the moment to strike are pretty basic principles of most martial arts.

Considering how they're usually American, it's to show that the villain isn't as competent as the righteous hero, despite like 3 days practice.

Kyuubi4269 posted...

they're usually American

Most martial arts movies aren't American, I think

Not just martial arts movies: in more or less all movies the hero isn't supposed to initiate the violence. In Westerns the villain 'draws' first in a standoff before the quicker/better hero kills him. In superhero movies the villain starts something then the hero stops him. Etc.

The formula is well set. Hero goes through lots of effort to reach villain, then stands around or is easily captured until the villain puts someone in imminent danger, then the hero breaks out and gets him.

That rule is broken more often in modern movies, but it's still generally there.

it's similar to IRL where you can't just attack someone outright because they're doing something else wrong, you have to be defending yourself.

wpot posted...

In Westerns the villain 'draws' first in a standoff

a good exception that comes to mind (sort of light spoilers for the movie Open Range but it's just a gun battle)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph7DnMqodm4

Also remember the ethics of a martial arts movie, where the good guy is using a traditional martial art, being patient, scoping out the situation, and being careful. The bad guy is using modern tech, being cocky and over reliant on it, and being a big 'ol jerk.
Being a defensive fighter means you get to play into the good guy not wanting to fight, stopping just as much as possible, not doing horrific levels of damage on people, and so on.

It plays into the idea that violence is fair, and good guys always win a fight, because they're good, and the other guys are jerks.

https://youtu.be/Kv9ygN2B8WU

Remember Enter the Dragon when the chick was in Bruce Lee's room, left and came back topless?

That was a good movie

JixHedgehog posted...

Remember Enter the Dragon when the chick was in Bruce Lee's room, left and came back topless?

That was a good movie

I dont remember a topless scene?! (Watched the TV version)

Check out the series Warrior if you get the chance, it's made by Bruce's daughter and based off his writings. Two season up and it's getting a third.

KodyKeir posted...

Check out the series Warrior if you get the chance, it's made by Bruce's daughter and based off his writings. Two season up and it's getting a third.

Is it on Netflix?

isn't it weird how teen drama movies always focus on school and not the parents when they're the ones actually worrying and doing all the work?

Noumas posted...

Is it on Netflix?

Google says, Yes!

Metalsonic66 posted...

https://youtu.be/Kv9ygN2B8WU

I just watched ip man 1 and 2. Fricking amazing movies

wpot posted...

Not just martial arts movies: in more or less all movies the hero isn't supposed to initiate the violence. In Westerns the villain 'draws' first in a standoff before the quicker/better hero kills him. In superhero movies the villain starts something then the hero stops him. Etc.

The formula is well set. Hero goes through lots of effort to reach villain, then stands around or is easily captured until the villain puts someone in imminent danger, then the hero breaks out and gets him.

That rule is broken more often in modern movies, but it's still generally there.

At least Han shot first.

Revelation34 posted...

Han shot

The return shot from Greedo was added in later additions.

Anti-heroes/rogues can break the rule: they set aside some space for Han sorts. Luke couldn't ever do that, though.

KodyKeir posted...

The return shot from Greedo was added in later additions.

Doesn't matter what was added. The original scene is the best one.