December 6, 2023 (NYC)–Top 10 Martial Arts Films of 2023. 2023 was another phenomenal year for Martial Arts movies. The globalization of entertainment combined with the multitude of outlets for viewing and streaming martial arts movies is a benefit to martial arts movies fans. We have had a chance to see many of the movies released this year; however, if there was a great martial arts movie we missed please be sure to let us know. We would be happy to screen and review it. One of the great things about this year’s list is that it is comprised of the most internationally diverse group of films we have ever had reach the top.
Here is our list of the Top 10 Martial Arts films of 2023:
#10: The Killer (Korea)– This is another really good South Korean action and martial arts film. It is, clearly, modeled after the John Wick style of films. Its protagonist is a likable, but deadly, man of few words that gets dragged into an international sex trafficking ring to save a teenage girl in his care. Great acting. Great and violent fight choreography. Visually exciting. It moves from the first moment to the last. I understand this is based on source material; however, I am unfamiliar with it and I don’t think it hurts the experience any. I would watch it in Korea with Subtitles to get the best experience. This is Korean film making at its best.
#9: Kill Book-Son (Korea)- In 2023 Korean films are some of the best made in the world today. I have reviewed many that rival, or exceed films made in Hollywood on many levels. This is the story of a female assassin trying to balance her professional life, as Korea’s most noted assassin, and her life as a single Mom. The story is good. The backstory of BoKson, the title characters harsh childhood and rise up the ranks is good. The fight scenes, while good, leave a lot to be desired.
#8: Ballerina (Korea)-It is a gritty action film about a talented, but reluctant, woman with deadly skills who is forced to use them to avenge her friend, the Ballerina. The film uses the subject of sex slavery and involuntary porn as its somber backdrop to generate the basis for the action in this one. Its stars are good, although somewhat animated. The action and fighting are good. The gun violence is better than the fight choreography. The relationship between the Ballerina and the star is nuanced and very sweet. It is the foundation upon which it the film is built. You can watch in English dubbed version, but I prefer in Korean with English subtitles.
#7: Fist of the Condor (Chile)– Ernest0 Diaz Espinoza and Marko Zaror are reunited in a small film (the first of a trilogy) that is a great counter to Zaror’s international Blockbuster of this year, John Wick 4. This is a “love letter to the martial arts” and showcases Zaror’s athletesicm and martial arts acumen while telling an unusual and, somewhat, mystical story. This was a great addition to this year’s list and a strong triumph for independent filmmaking. This film reminded me of a lot of older martial arts films, as well as the television show, “Kung-Fu”.
#6: Night of the Assassin (Korea)– Night of the Assassin is another small, independent film from this year that made our list. It has great heart, and is really one that will stay with you. This one is another film distributed by Well Go USA, one of the best distributors of films from the far east. It has great action. It has great sword play. It has a compelling story. One of the standouts of this film is the tone. It manages to balance violence and humor-something that can go disastrously wrong if not done well. Here it succeeds. The filmmaker here is a first-timer, but I know this will not be his last.
#5: Extraction 2 (USA)– Super fast paced, violent, and fun sequel to the Netflix made film, Extraction. Chris Hemsworth is terrific in this cross between John Wick and Jason Bourne. He was born to play this role. The film expands the backstory on him and his life, as it picks up where the last film left off. The action and fight choreography are great. The characters are engaging and fun to watch. The Direction and cinematography by Sam Hargrave are good- he looks to expand on some of the exciting scenes he created in the first. The story is good, but be clear you must suspend belief at the start. Daniel Bernhardt is a great addition to this one. The expansion of Golshifteh Farahani’s role is a major plus for this film. I recommend it a lot. Not quite as good as the first, but good.
#4: Bad City (Japan)– Bad City is another winning film from Well Go USA. This gritty Japanese crime and action drama is really really good. Kensuke Sonumura has really done a good job of Directing the movie and the action in this one. This story plays out more like a Korean crime drama than a Japanese one. Crooked Cops, dynamic personalities, and over the top personalities. The lines between good and bad are very blurred in Bad City.
The movie centers on a Charles Bronson like Police Chief, wrongly jailed to keep him from investigating the Yakuza’s connection with the Korean mob. The chief, played by Hitoshi Ozawa, is released through a special task force established to take down that same mob. He has a team of younger Detectives who are really good, including Hydra’s Mansori Mamaoto. Some familiar faces from Japanese films like Baby Assassins are here too. The fight scenes at the climax of the film are among the best you will ever see, not just in 2023. I like everything about this- the action, the drama, the acting, and the cinematography. Watch it in Japanese with English Subtitles.
#3: John Wick 4 (USA)– What can be said about John Wick 4 that has been not been said. It is one of the most widely hyped, blockbuster action films ever made. JW4 is really, really good movie. It is a continuation of a movie series about a character and world that has captured the public’s attention like few others. While this is not as good as the first two installments in the series, it is better than the third. The film has a stellar cast, and Donnie Yen creates the possibility of a spin off surrounding his dynamic character. This film opened the year strong and Silent Night, another Lionsgate release will close the year in a big way, reinforcing Lionsgate‘s place at the top of the action genre.
#2: The Equalizer 3 (USA)– The Equalizer series of films started as a television series in the 1980’s starring Edward Woodward. The film series predated John Wick’s premiere by one month. Denzel Washington is terrific and deadly as the star of The Equalizer films. This third installment is an exciting, heartfelt and enjoyable adult, action film. Washington is perfect for this part. The film is set in Italy, where the star is pitted against the Mafia, this one is really riveting from open to close. The realism and the precision of the fight choreography is part of what makes this such a highly ranked feature.
#1: Silent Night (USA)- John Woo’s Violent, Silent Night is a Bold Experiment That Works. This film was an amazing way to open the holiday movie season and to close out the year. It is bold, daring, violent, and a heck of a good time to watch. John Woo’s Direction, and the cinematography, are truly remarkable. Considering this is a film with no dialogue, the conveyance of the story and the work of the actors is on par with anything you will ever see, in or out of this genre. From our review “The real question on my mind as I left the NYC screening was, “Like Die Hard, will people be debating whether Silent Night is, actually, a Christmas movie for years to come.” While I am not sure of the answer to that question, I do know that John Woo’s, Silent Night, is a winner.”
-by Marc Zirogiannis
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