While we wait for the servers to close, I have decided to do something that makes me want to come to the forums again. There is enough doom and gloom. Might as well use these forums for something. I wanna have some fun.
So, I’m a bit of a weirdo. I enjoy card games and martial arts. My nick is not just for lols, as I have trained different martial arts over ten years. Should be more, but I am a lazy bastard sometimes, so there have been a lot of breaks. As it happens, I collect fights. I told you I’m a weirdo. I am fascinated by a good scrap, either in real life or in movies. For the purpose of this thread, I am going to concentrate on movie fights. I am very analytical and demanding when it comes to fight scenes, and I know what I like. Huge majority of movie fights are shit. I am going to share what I think are good movie fights. I will be posting one every week and I will rate it. I will always include a video of the fights, so you can watch them yourselves and either agree or disagree or completely ignore this thread and think that I am a strange dude.
I will use the following criteria:
Setting/atmosphere. This will include things like cinematography, location of the fight, lighting etc. If you are fighting at night in the rain on top of a crane, I have already zoned out. You have failed to produce a good movie fight as a director.
Music. Sometimes music enhances fight scenes, or otherwise brings something interesting to it. There might be no music.
Emotional impact. This takes into account the entire movie. Was the conclusion satisfactory? Did I feel that “fuck yeah!” surge because of some epic one-liner?
Choreography. Do the actors look like they actually know how to fight? Are the moves cool or just lazy? For me, the best mix is a high dose of realism with some badass choreography that you might actually be able to perform. Hong Kong flicks love flying around with wires and jumping from tree to tree, which is not my cup of tea. I will still watch some of those.
Technical merits. Does the director use a proper wide angle or a horrible shaky cam up close? What about lighting? Can you actually see the fight? How has the fight been edited? Choppy editing is the trademark of a sloppy director and inept actors, as you can disguise a lot with that. Nothing irks me more than a fight that has been cut to shit.
Skill of combatants. Are the actors believable in their roles? Can they execute the moves like they know what they are doing? Naturally, I value real martial artists above all else here.
Finish. How does the winner actually win? Is it by actually fighting, or do they just trip and fall from a roof or some shit? This is weirdly important to me personally.
I will give a score between 1 and 10 for each fight. Now let’s begin! As this is the first time, I will do three fights, because I couldn’t decide what to use.
FIGHT: Hector versus Achilles
MOVIE: Troy (2004), director Wolfgang Petersen
Might as well start from the top. I consider this one of the best movie fights ever put on screen. First of all, I love everything medieval-y. If it has swords in it, I will probably watch it. So the setting is already perfect. However, there are some things that set this particular melee above everything else. The fight has been built up during the course of the movie by showcasing both fighters against lesser opposition. So we know they are both badass. They fight on level ground in daylight. No gimmicks, no CGI. Just the two combatants. The choreography is awesome. They start with spears because of the long range, showcasing some sweet, and somewhat realistic, attacks. Cool usage of shields as well. Later they switch to swords and get up close and personal. Achilles attempts his signature attack, the jumping stab, with both spear and sword, and is thwarted for the first time. Both actors clearly trained their ass off, as they look very good. Brad Pitt’s form especially in that one pose is excellent. I can assure you, you need to train that. That one dodge where Achilles lifts his leg over an upward strike and turns at the same time is really cool, pragmatic, and I have never seen that before. The only thing I don’t like about this fight is the winning blow and too many reaction shots from the crowd, but to me this is near perfection.
Enjoy:
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Setting/atmosphere: 10 – Pretty much perfect. Level ground. Only sand (and one stone) and the fighters. You can also cut the tension with a knife.
Music: 9 – Pretty great, especially in the beginning. Builds tension nicely.
Emotional Impact: 10 – I have the feels. Starts with an epic line: “There are no pacts between lions and men.” Holy shit! This dude is intense. Ends with a realization that one of the biggest heroes of his time was finally defeated.
Choreography: 10 – Great. Sweet moves without going overboard. Could almost be a real fight.
Technical Merits: 10 – Couldn’t ask for more. You can follow everything perfectly.
Skill of Combatants: 10 – Although mere actors, they pull it off really well. Especially Pitt throughout the entire movie.
Finish: 9 – There is something off about the weird flailing windmill attack that finally defeats Hector, but it’s a minor gripe.
FINAL VERDICT: 10/10
One of the best fights in cinema history.
Bonus: Achilles vs. Boagrius. Achilles’ signature jumping insta-kill move at work.
[\media]
So, I’m a bit of a weirdo. I enjoy card games and martial arts. My nick is not just for lols, as I have trained different martial arts over ten years. Should be more, but I am a lazy bastard sometimes, so there have been a lot of breaks. As it happens, I collect fights. I told you I’m a weirdo. I am fascinated by a good scrap, either in real life or in movies. For the purpose of this thread, I am going to concentrate on movie fights. I am very analytical and demanding when it comes to fight scenes, and I know what I like. Huge majority of movie fights are shit. I am going to share what I think are good movie fights. I will be posting one every week and I will rate it. I will always include a video of the fights, so you can watch them yourselves and either agree or disagree or completely ignore this thread and think that I am a strange dude.
I will use the following criteria:
Setting/atmosphere. This will include things like cinematography, location of the fight, lighting etc. If you are fighting at night in the rain on top of a crane, I have already zoned out. You have failed to produce a good movie fight as a director.
Music. Sometimes music enhances fight scenes, or otherwise brings something interesting to it. There might be no music.
Emotional impact. This takes into account the entire movie. Was the conclusion satisfactory? Did I feel that “fuck yeah!” surge because of some epic one-liner?
Choreography. Do the actors look like they actually know how to fight? Are the moves cool or just lazy? For me, the best mix is a high dose of realism with some badass choreography that you might actually be able to perform. Hong Kong flicks love flying around with wires and jumping from tree to tree, which is not my cup of tea. I will still watch some of those.
Technical merits. Does the director use a proper wide angle or a horrible shaky cam up close? What about lighting? Can you actually see the fight? How has the fight been edited? Choppy editing is the trademark of a sloppy director and inept actors, as you can disguise a lot with that. Nothing irks me more than a fight that has been cut to shit.
Skill of combatants. Are the actors believable in their roles? Can they execute the moves like they know what they are doing? Naturally, I value real martial artists above all else here.
Finish. How does the winner actually win? Is it by actually fighting, or do they just trip and fall from a roof or some shit? This is weirdly important to me personally.
I will give a score between 1 and 10 for each fight. Now let’s begin! As this is the first time, I will do three fights, because I couldn’t decide what to use.
FIGHT: Hector versus Achilles
MOVIE: Troy (2004), director Wolfgang Petersen
Might as well start from the top. I consider this one of the best movie fights ever put on screen. First of all, I love everything medieval-y. If it has swords in it, I will probably watch it. So the setting is already perfect. However, there are some things that set this particular melee above everything else. The fight has been built up during the course of the movie by showcasing both fighters against lesser opposition. So we know they are both badass. They fight on level ground in daylight. No gimmicks, no CGI. Just the two combatants. The choreography is awesome. They start with spears because of the long range, showcasing some sweet, and somewhat realistic, attacks. Cool usage of shields as well. Later they switch to swords and get up close and personal. Achilles attempts his signature attack, the jumping stab, with both spear and sword, and is thwarted for the first time. Both actors clearly trained their ass off, as they look very good. Brad Pitt’s form especially in that one pose is excellent. I can assure you, you need to train that. That one dodge where Achilles lifts his leg over an upward strike and turns at the same time is really cool, pragmatic, and I have never seen that before. The only thing I don’t like about this fight is the winning blow and too many reaction shots from the crowd, but to me this is near perfection.
Enjoy:
[\media]
Setting/atmosphere: 10 – Pretty much perfect. Level ground. Only sand (and one stone) and the fighters. You can also cut the tension with a knife.
Music: 9 – Pretty great, especially in the beginning. Builds tension nicely.
Emotional Impact: 10 – I have the feels. Starts with an epic line: “There are no pacts between lions and men.” Holy shit! This dude is intense. Ends with a realization that one of the biggest heroes of his time was finally defeated.
Choreography: 10 – Great. Sweet moves without going overboard. Could almost be a real fight.
Technical Merits: 10 – Couldn’t ask for more. You can follow everything perfectly.
Skill of Combatants: 10 – Although mere actors, they pull it off really well. Especially Pitt throughout the entire movie.
Finish: 9 – There is something off about the weird flailing windmill attack that finally defeats Hector, but it’s a minor gripe.
FINAL VERDICT: 10/10
One of the best fights in cinema history.
Bonus: Achilles vs. Boagrius. Achilles’ signature jumping insta-kill move at work.
[\media]
The post was edited 1 time, last by Ertzi ().