Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong

For anyone interested in the origins of martial-arts action films, Chop Socky provides a perfect introduction to the historic milestones, important films, and famous figures of Hong Kong's cinematic staple. Co-produced by the Independent Film Channel, this documentary offers a smart, in-depth survey of Hong Kong's "wu-xia" genre (stories of martial-arts action heroes), from its earliest roots in Beijing Opera and the monastic rituals of Chinese Shaolin monks to Quentin Tarantino's tribute to Hong Kong action in Kill Bill, Vol. 2. All of the bases are covered, from Hong Kong cinema's first martial-arts hero (Wong Fei Hung), and the balletic choreography of Chang Chek, to the "one-punch" immortal charisma of Bruce Lee, and the evolution of kung-fu comedy, epitomized today in the films of Jackie Chan. Most of the surviving masters are included in informative (and subtitled) interviews, including John Woo, Jet Li, Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, and Lar Kar-Leung (who provides a fascinating survey of martial-arts weaponry), backed by abundant film clips from the genre's classic films, including King Hu's Come Drink With Me and Dirty Ho, cited here as Hong Kong cinema's "one true masterpiece." Engaging and comprehensive, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Shannon)