Donnie Yenhas built up a reputation as among thegreatest martial arts stars of all time, due in no small part to his incredible roles in old-school kung fu movies. While Yen later earned recognition in major series likeJohn Wick,Star Wars, andIp Man, he got his start in the 1980s and truly broke out as a major star during the 1990s. These earlier films showcased his impeccable skills as an actor, director, and talented martial artist.
The early days ofDonnie Yen’s career had plenty of underrated filmsthat lovers of old-school kung fu cinema should be sure to check out. From epic action movies about noble police officers hunting down corrupt cops tofantastical wuxia movies set in times past, Yen has always had the versatility and talent to excel in whatever genre he tried his hand at. As a true icon of modern martial arts cinema,it’s important to take a look back on the early days and see where it all began for Donnie Yen.
Before Donnie Yen truly broke through as a martial arts star in the 1990s, he spent some time in the 1980s working in television on shows likeFei Fu Kwan YingandMo Min Kap Sin Fung. One of Yen’s greatest outings on the small screen was the TV movieThe Last Conflict, which he co-starred in with Stephen Chow.The Last Conflict starredYen as the Interpol agent Dickson Kwanon the hunt to bring down a ruthless criminal syndicate.
The Last Conflictbegins as a story of passport forgery that turns into an epic quest of life, death, and love as Dickson falls in love with the daughter of a woman whose life he saved. As a mostly predictable buddy cop story, the appeal ofThe Last Conflictwas down to Yen and Chow’s great charisma and its epic fight and shootout scenes. In early roles from Yen, Chow, and Francis Ng, there were a lot of future stars inThe Last Conflict.
Donnie Yen directed and starred inShanghai Affairs, a film whose straightforward stylings were a big improvement upon Yen’s directorial debut,Legend of the Wolf, from the year before.Shanghai Affairsstarred Yen as Tong Shan, a doctor who returns from Britain to care for the sick who cannot afford medical care in his village. However, when ruthless gangsters arrive to tear his village apart and open a casino, Yen must step in and show off that his fighting skills are just as powerful as his medical knowledge.
With children being kidnapped and used for medical research, the heartless nature of this evil gang ran opposite to all of Yen’s characters' values and beliefs. This fighting choreography was to the point and truly effective, which, paired with a good plot and effective performances, made this stand out among other kung fu movies of this era.
Ballistic Kiss
Cast
Ballistic Kiss is a 1998 Hong Kong action thriller directed by and starring Donnie Yen. The film follows Cat, a former police officer turned hitman, who becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with law enforcement. As Cat plans his final mission, he finds himself torn between his violent past and a potential path to redemption.
Donnie Yen continued to show off his talents both in front of and behind the screen forBallistic Kiss, an old-school kung fu classic that he directed and produced. With Yen as Cat Lee, a hitman in the midst of a mid-life crisis, this stylish action thriller blended romance, mystery, and philosophical intrigue as it managed to deliver thrills while also offering some existential contemplation in the process.
Cat was a far deeper character than the average kung fu assassin, as between hits, he contemplated life and was content to throw himself into his work to avoid fully facing his ethically questionable behavior. However, Cat’s life is thrown into a whirlwind when he falls in love with a beautiful policewoman and is forced to confront the true realities of his existence. As a truly underappreciated release from Yen,Ballistic Kisswas a firm showcase of his skills as a director and producer.
The Hong Kong wuxia movieButterfly and Swordwas a star-studded release that boasted Tony Leung, Michelle Yeoh, Jimmy Lin, Joey Wong, and Donnie Yen among its cast. As a true showcase of the sheer volume of talent in old-school kung fu movies during the 1990s, it was incredible to witness so many skilled performers coming together for this story of revolutionaries attempting to overthrow a king’s empire.Based on the novelLiuxing Hudie Jianby Gu Long, this story has been adapted for film, television, and even a video game series.
Donnie Yen played Yip Cheung, a member of the Happy Forest assassins who is in love with the group’s leader, Lady Ko (Michelle Yeoh.) With a strong emotional core to its storytelling and some excellent fight choreography.Butterfly and Swordwas filled with plenty of fast-paced action to keep viewers engaged. While the comedic sides of the film don’t always work,Butterfly and Swordwas boosted by its cartoonish gore and over-the-top entertainment value.
Drunken Tai Chi
Drunken Tai Chi, directed by Yuen Woo-ping, follows a young man who flees from a deadly foe and finds refuge with a puppeteer and his wife, experts in tai chi. This martial arts film explores his transformation as he learns the unique style necessary to confront his adversary.
While Donnie Yen had previously worked as a stuntman in the Hong Kong martial arts film industry, his true acting debut was with the leading role inDrunken Tai Chi. With Yen as a spoiled young man on the run from a ruthless killer, after finding refuge with a tai chi expert puppeteer and his heavy-set wife, he masters the skill to save his life. With elements that echoed Jackie Chan’s breakout movieDrunken Master, it feels appropriate that the world would be introduced to Yen with a similar style film about a young protégé and their drunk teacher.
Drunken Tai Chiwas an excellent debut for Yen that signaled his skills as both a martial artist and an actor. With an unconventional mix of classic old-school kung fu and the inclusion of American crazes such as skateboarding,Drunken Tai Chiblended its more action-packed sequences with some enjoyable slapstick comedy. While it would take some time for Yen to truly break out as a major star,Drunken Tai Chiwas a solid debut that laid the groundwork for all that was to come.
Tiger Cagewas a major release in Donnie Yen’s early career that blended fast-paced action with intense classic kung fu stylings. With crooked cops linked to a massive drug trafficking operation in America,Tiger Cageexplored a world of corruption and deceit as the remaining noble police officers were exposed to excessive violenceand attacks. As one of the best kung fu movies of the 1980s,Tiger Cagewas essential in establishing Yen as the major star he is today.
Yen played Terry, a member of the Anti-Drug Unit of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, in this fast and gritty Hong Kong action movie.Tiger Cagewas a hit with viewers as Yen returned as an entirely different character for the sequelTiger Cage 2, where he was bumped up from a supporting character to the lead role. While a thirdTiger Cagemovie was made, none of the original cast was in the final installment.
In the Line of Duty IV
In the Line of Duty IV is a 1989 Hong Kong action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping. The film stars Cynthia Khan as Inspector Yeung and Donnie Yen as Inspector Yan, who team up to uncover a drug trafficking ring while facing numerous challenges and adversaries. The film is known for its intense fight choreography and dynamic action sequences, characteristic of the era’s Hong Kong cinema.
While the naming of its characters inIn the Line of Duty IV: Witnesscould have been more creative, as it featured Michael Wong as Michael Wong and Donnie Yen as Donnie Yan, this was still the best sequel in this long-running series. With the Girls with Guns star Cynthia Khan back as Inspector Rachel Yeung, this installment proved the series still had a lot to give as it delivered the same intense thrills asYes, Madamwith Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock four years before.
In the Line of Duty IVfocused on Hong Kong law enforcers investigating drug trafficking in Seattle and was packed with epic fight scenes from start to finish. While the absence of the original stars from earlier entries was felt, the introduction of Yen more than made up for this. As one of the very best martial arts movies featuring cops,In the Line of Duty IVblended incredible fight choreography with classic action movie energy.
Dragon Inn
Dragon Inn, released in 1992, is set during the Ming Dynasty and follows the story of Tso Siu Yan, a power-driven eunuch. Governing his desert region with imperial authority, he strategically lays a trap for his adversaries at the Dragon Gate Inn amidst political intrigue.
Dragon Innwas also known under the titleNew Dragon Gate Innand wasa remake of the classic Taiwanese wuxia filmDragon Gate Innfrom 1967. Set in the desert region of China during the Ming Dynasty, this sword-fighting black comedy was a star-studded release featuring not just Donnie Yen but also Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung, and Maggie Cheung. As a tale of armies, battles, and corruption, this classic wuxia story explored warriors pushing back against a power-hungry eunuch who wished to rule as emperor.
With a talented cast full of exceptional martial arts performers,Dragon Innfeatured plenty of epic sword fights and some truly awe-inspiring fight choreography. With Lin as the main star, this was just one of several martial arts movies in which she disguised herself as a man, such asPeking Opera BluesandSwordsman II. A jam-packed action movie,Dragon Innreunited Yen with hisThe Last Conflictdirector, Raymond Lee.
Once pon a Time in China II
Once Upon a Time in China 2 follows martial arts master Wong Fei-Hung, portrayed by Jet Li, as he battles corrupt officials and local factions in late 19th-century China. Directed by Tsui Hark, the film blends historical drama with action, highlighting China’s turbulent period and its cultural heritage. The sequel continues to explore themes of patriotism and resistance against oppression.
For the second installment in theOnce Upon a Time in Chinaseries, starring Jet Li as the Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung, Donnie Yen was brought on board for one of his greatest supporting roles. As the military officer Nap-lan Yun-seut, it was a real treat for martial fans to witness Li and Yen face off in an epic staff fighting sequence. This heart-racing sequel was a hit with critics and viewers and boasts an astounding 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Set in Guangzhou in 1895,Once Upon a Time in China IIsaw Wong face off against the White Lotus Sect, a xenophobic cult that wished to attack Westerners and destroy anything that wasn’t Chinese. With classic kung fu themes of discrimination and prejudices,Once Upon a Time in China IIwas filled with fast-paced fight sequences and showed off Yen’s skill in a more villainous role. As one of the best kung fu movies of the 1990s,fans of Yen should be sure to check outOnce Upon a Time in China II.
Iron Monkey
Iron Monkey is a Hong Kong martial arts film set in a corrupt Chinese village, where a masked bandit known as Iron Monkey robs the rich to aid the poor. The story unfolds as a traveling physician is coerced by the local governor into capturing the elusive bandit.
Following Donnie Yen’s breakout success inOnce Upon a Time in China IIthe year before, he continued his hot streak with a leading role inIron Monkey. This fantastic martial arts film was based on the real Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung and his father Wong Kei-ying, and Yen excelled in his fatherly role as the duo faced off against a masked martial artist known as the Iron Monkey. With gorgeous cinematography and some truly compelling fights,Iron Monkeywas a true highlight of Yen’s career during the 1990s.
Iron Monkey’ssuccess would be a precursor to Yen gaining his most famous role as the real Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man 15 years later. With a talent for embodying real heroes from martial arts history,Iron Monkeydelivered on all fronts as a fun-filled fighting film. WhileDonnie Yenwould become an even bigger star in the subsequent decades, classic old-school kung fu movies likeIron Monkeylaid the groundwork for the global superstar he later became.
