Last of the Best: Donnie Yen

We see actors like Keanu Reeves and Matt Damon trying to throw a couple of kicks in films but when it comes to real martial arts superstars, names like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li come to mind. These are a dying breed of actors, classically trained and willing to risk their necks by performing mind-numbing stunts all for the sake of film. Actors like these only break into the big leagues once every two decades and this time round, Donnie Yen takes the stage.

Donnie Yen is known amongst the masses as a famed martial arts actor, fight choreographer, and most of all, for his role as the modest but deadly Wing Chun grandmaster in the major action blockbuster Ip Man. For Donnie to reap his successes today, much time and effort were dedicated towards the constant practicing and refining of the martial arts.

Martial Arts Background

Born into a martial arts family, Donnie Yen developed an interest for the martial arts at a young age. His mother Bow Sim-Mark began training her son almost as soon as he could walk and when the Yen family relocated to Boston from Hong Kong, she started the Chinese Wushu Research Institute where young Donnie started training in the art of Tai Chi and Chinese Wu Shu. Like many growing adolescents, young Donnie was rebellious and shunned the conservative and restrictive ways of his mother’s teachings. He was always on the quest for “the ultimate Kung Fu”; picking up other forms of martial arts from friends who were studying in other schools.  Being a major Bruce Lee fanatic probably served as a big influence here as well. Eventually, his parents grew concerned that their son is mixing with the wrong crowd and sent Donnie on a two year training program to China to train with the Beijing Wushu Team.

Mentorship

Two years later, en route back home to the United States Donnie made a side trip to Hong Kong where he met the infamous martial arts film director Yuen Woo-ping who is responsible for the launch of Jackie Chan’s career. Yuen found limitless potential in Donnie Yen’s talents and took him under his wing. The duo ultimately went on to create instant classics together including Donnie Yen’s first movie Miracle Fighters 2, Iron Monkey, Flash Point, Tiger Cage 2and also Drunken Taichi where Donnie played his first ever leading role. His talents and physical prowess continue to impress, landing him many parts in action blockbusters and finally, it is his time to head for the Mecca of the Movies: Hollywood.

Highway to Stardom

Although Donnie Yen went on to star in movies such as Highlander: Endgame and Blade II:Bloodhunt, he wasn’t able to break into the Hollywood success. The apex of his career came in 2008 when he picked up the leading role as the iconic protagonist of the hit blockbuster Ip Man, a biopic of the Wing Chun grandmaster, master of the legendary Bruce Lee. Ip Man received widespread acclamation from audiences including the family members of the Wing Chun patriarch who praised the accurate portrayal of Yip Man’s temperament as well as his characteristics. The film was a huge box office hit instantly propelling Donnie Yen to new heights.

Kung Fu Jungle

Donnie Yen went on to star in a number of other films including The Monkey King, Special ID and Iceman but his works are constantly overshadowed by the magnum opus of his career, Ip Man. Ever since, Donnie Yen is constantly trying to break away from the role that made him a global superstar, constantly working on movies in hopes of breaking new boundaries including his latest and most anticipated film of recent years Kung Fu Jungle. In Kung Fu Jungle, Donnie plays the role of a convicted felon serving up his knowledge for Kung Fu as a bargaining chip for freedom when a serial killer starts killing off martial arts masters all over town. Eventually, he comes to realize that the killer’s intent is to wipe off all martial arts masters beating them at their own game to become the very best Kung Fu master there is. Kung Fu Jungle will also star up and coming martial arts actor Wang Baoqiang playing the antagonist.  The latest Donnie Yen blockbuster which received rave reviews during its world premiere at the London International Film Festival, is set for release in Malaysia on October 30. Click to watch the trailer and the interview with BBC World News where the director and casts talk about the film.

The Donnie Yen saga continues as he strives to take the Kung Fu genre to new heights. Carrying the legacy of those before him, genuine martial arts will continue to be shown to the world through the wonders of cinematography.

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