Slowly but surely we continue to introduce you to the winners of the voting as part of summing up the results of the action film. I would like to note that the FFI editors were frankly pleased with the comments (albeit in our VK group) to the previous analytical article. We hope the trend continues.
Today we will review the nominations with you "Comeback of the Year" и "The most anticipated film of 2020".
Comeback 2019
There was no shortage of nominees in this category - many seemingly forgotten actors returned to the screens in bright roles. Here you have a Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, who returned to action in the film "The battle", getting into excellent shape; and the hero of all Soviet boys Gojko Mitić, who graced us with his presence in the military thriller "Balkan Frontier"; and Korean martial artist Jung Doo-hong, returned to hand-to-hand action in the film "Exuberant" after more than 10 years. In general, there was plenty to choose from. True, there were some surprises. Although with the first place, of course, everything was clear.
Mark Dacascos (John Wick 3, Driver, Wu Assassins) 35%
90s action movie star Mark Dacascos I haven't had much luck with projects in recent years. His last major role in a class B action movie dates back to 2014 (“Operation Retribution”), after which Mark focuses on episodic roles in TV series, dubious collaborations with Russian filmmakers and very cheap projects like "Final Judgment" (2017)
However, 2019 was a breakthrough year for Dacascos. Firstly, the main role for the first time in 6 years in a zombie action movie "Driver", although it is considered a sign of good taste not to remember the existence of this film. Secondly, Mark played a small but significant role in the Netflix series "Wu Assassins". Well, and finally, thirdly, 55-year-old Mark received the role of the main antagonist in a Hollywood blockbuster "John Wick 3". Let's talk about him.
The character Zero is a bald assassin with a charming but deadly cold smile. He is a big fan of John Wick's "creativity" and sees in him a kind of idol that he wants to surpass. The entire film Dacascos follows on the heels of our “Baba Yaga”, playing a kind of “cat and mouse” with him. All the humor rests on Mark’s hero, because Zero is not just a professional assassin, but also a joker who gets a real kick out of what is happening. The talkative Zero became a truly dangerous opponent for Wick throughout all three parts of the franchise.
The final battle, of course, could have been much more interesting and better, but the director of the film Chad Stahelski and his action coordinators saw it that way: Zero playing with his opponent, clearly underestimating Wick. But even from this position it is clear that Mark is in excellent shape and is still able to show a decent fight using high kicks, as well as capoeira techniques.
I would like to believe that Dacascos will competently manage the new round of popularity and, despite his age, will still delight his fans with interesting roles. In the meantime, solid gold in this category!
Yayan Ruhyan (“John Wick 3”) 11%
“Silver” victory for Indonesian silat master and actor Yayana Rukhyana as a “returnee” somewhat puzzled the FFI editors. The fact is that Rukhyan since the time "Raids" Gareth Evans is filmed regularly, appearing, of course, in action roles. Another thing is that Indonesian projects almost never reach the Russian audience and their appearance in Hollywood John Wick 3 became a titular “comeback” for our brother.
Otherwise, Rukhyan’s role can hardly be called interesting - he plays one of the character’s students Mark Dacascos and acts exclusively in tandem with another master of silat Chechep Arif Rahman. Something similar happened in a previous project to sum up combat films, when Ray Park took second place in the same category, actually being the second half of the on-screen duet with Michael Jai White.
But if Park had a distinct personality, an interesting character who could exist in isolation from his colleague in the bloody craft, then Rukhyan and Rahman in "Wike" as impersonal as possible. They are simply two shinobi, always working in pairs. Yes, the fight against Reeves turned out to be quite spectacular, despite the fact that the Indonesians had to adapt to the rhythm of the 55-year-old Keanu, but it seems to us that someone else could have taken second place in this category. But, as they voted, so they voted...
And what do you think?
Veronica Ngo (“Fury”) 10%
Vietnamese model, singer and actress Veronica Ngo became the new star of the Asian hand-to-hand action genre after films such as "Rebel" (2007) "Once Upon a Time in the East" (2009) and "Once Upon a Time in Vietnam" (2013). Fans quickly dubbed her one of the baddest female fighters on screen and began to wait for more action films. But they were all gone.
Veronica learned the craft of producing and directing, starred in horror films and comedies, and even quite successfully “looked” at Hollywood for several projects, but Ngo’s fans expected something different from her.
"Fury" director Le-Van Kieta became Veronica's full-fledged return to the hand-to-hand film genre. In fact, we got a full-fledged child abduction thriller, filled with fights. Perhaps those who expected high-hiking and beautiful pirouettes from Ngo were slightly disappointed, since the battles in "Furies" built on a slightly different plot. There is more of modern Hollywood choreography here - restrained and realistic, rather than sweeping Asian choreography.
Veronica's story is interesting to watch. She tries not only to look great in hand-to-hand combat scenes, but also to play the difficult emotions of a mother whose daughter was kidnapped. This is more mature acting than in her earlier projects. Therefore, we hope that Ngo will not be tied to action films for so long, because she is one of those rare actresses who can truly deliver great action scenes using minimal stunt doubles. A more than well-deserved bronze!
2020's most anticipated film of the year
Despite the diverse list of candidates in this nomination, there were again no questions about the winner. Another numbered film from the franchise "Ip Man" waiting, as they say, “automatically”….
Ip Man 4 (dir. Wilson Yip") 28%
...although last year in this category the fourth film in the franchise took third place, losing the prizes to the new one "John Wick" и "Triple Threat". Apparently, in the current season there are no monsters that could compete with Donnie Yen and his master Ip.
Yes, we know that the film is already available and many people have watched it. But let's pretend we haven't seen it yet and speculate a little. The fact is that the franchise is about a real person, the teacher of the legendary Bruce Lee – this is an extremely uneven “conveyor”. For an excellent first film, there is an extremely mediocre second, and for a good third, there is a very passable spin-off "Master Z: Ip Man's Legacy". It is unlikely that the fourth part will be able to boast of a coherent plot, because all that remained of the real story of Ip Man was “legs and horns” back in the second film. Hence the master’s journey to America, and the oppression of the Chinese there, as well as the line of Man’s son and, in fact, Bruce Lee.
It would be possible to bet on fights, which are again managed by an amateur using ropes with or without reason Yuen Woo-Ping, but there are plenty of questions here too. Donnie Yen 56 years old and Scott Adkins - 43 years. Without a doubt, these two “action movie hopes” should have met in a duel a long time ago, but will they be able to show anything now? A 44-year-old Danny Chan, playing a young Bruce Lee?
However, there is hope, because the cast, in addition to the mastodons of action cinema, is replete with names Chris Collins и Mark Strange – real martial artists who always look great in hand-to-hand scenes. And judging by the trailer, the karate representatives played by Collins and Strange are given plenty of screen time.
Well, my heart aches for this project. Moreover, according to Ian himself, he will the latest kung fu movie in his career. For some reason we don’t believe in this, but just in case we are determined to "Ip Manu 4" That’s right – the swan song of the hero of Chinese combat cinema. Let's see if the film lives up to expectations. Have you already looked "Ip Man 4"? Did he meet your expectations?
Crossfire (dir. Benny Chan) 13%
Second on our list and again Donnie Yen! This time in Benny Chan's Hong Kong action film "Crossfire". We completely understand why visitors to our site are waiting for this film. Benny Chan made a name for himself with urban action films, and Ian's best works are still considered "SPL Stars of Destiny" (2005) and "Hot spot" (2007), which also takes place in the criminal world of modern Hong Kong.
Donny feels like a fish in water in such conditions and always works with passion. In addition, the role of the main antagonist of the film went to the charismatic Nicholas Tse, which can easily focus the viewer’s attention and give off a sickly atmosphere.
The confrontation between an honest policeman and his former partner, who is now the leader of an untied gang, is intriguing. The only thing you should be wary of is the excessive pathos that he so loves to use in his films. Benny Chan.
By the way, a leaked trailer appeared online "Crossfire", which was almost immediately removed. But the Internet remembers everything, and, I must say, despite the disgusting quality of the video, it is already clear that the upcoming action movie will be something to watch. I just wish the film would come out in 2020. Otherwise, we know these postponements of prime ministers...
Collectors 2 (dir. Jesse Johnson") 11%
Badi movie Jesse Johnson called "Collectors" in 2018 allowed fans of the British action film actor Scott Adkins take a breath of fresh air. Why? Because Scott finally played a hero who was not typical of himself; he got a charismatic partner as his partner. Louis Mandylor, and the story was quite harmonious, interesting and tragic. Since the main characters die in a shootout at the end of the film, no one expected there to be a sequel. And fall...
Like a bolt from the blue, information arrived that "Collectors 2" be, and even with the same cast! How the screenwriters will get out of this situation is not yet clear, but the fact that the film has already attracted attention is a fact.
If Johnson again falls into the same funnel, presenting the viewer with a tightly knit crime story and charming main characters, between whom there is good chemistry, then the second part of “Collectors” will probably again end up in our final votes. For example, the first film became third on the list best martial arts films of 2018.
Let's hope that Johnson, Adkins, Mandylor and the other filmmakers are up to the task!
No Time to Die (dir. Cary Fukunaga) 11%
Exactly the same number of votes as "Collectors 2" scored in the vote another film from the endless "Bondians". The fourth film in which she plays the role of Her Majesty's fearless spy Daniel Craig got the name "No Time to Die".
What can we expect from the next James Bond adventures? Of course, a twisted plot with world danger, dashing and coolly shot action, beautiful women and no less beautiful cars, music penetrating into the veins Hans Zimmer, hand-to-hand combat and mind-blowing stunts.
Years go by, Bond actors age, directors and screenwriters replace each other, but some things always remain the same. Movies "Bondians" have always been and will be top spy action films, where action directors and stuntmen have room to expand. Yes, and a 52-year-old Daniel Craig I'm sure there's still something to show.
The film will be released April 9 2020 years, and you and I will all feel the taste of martini and vodka in our mouths. Shaked, but not stirred!
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Tags: Debt Collectors, Fury, Ip Man 4, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, On Time To Die, Raging Fire, Benny Chan, Veronica Ngo, Jesse W. Johnson, Donnie Yen, Daniel Craig, Danny Chan, results of action cinema 2019, Chris Collins, Cary Fukunaga, Louis Mandylor, Mark Dacascos, Mark Strange, Nicholas Tse, Scott Adkins, Wilson Yip , Yuen Wu-Ping, Yayan Ruhian
Tags: Debt Collectors, Fury, Ip Man 4, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, On Time To Die, Raging Fire, Benny Chan, Veronica Ngo, Jesse W. Johnson, Donnie Yen, Daniel Craig, Danny Chan, results of action cinema 2019, Chris Collins, Cary Fukunaga, Louis Mandylor, Mark Dacascos, Mark Strange, Nicholas Tse, Scott Adkins, Wilson Yip , Yuen Wu-Ping, Yayan Ruhian
They should have invited Ron Smorenburg or something. Or the same Marco Zarora, and a million options.
Dmitriy,
Smorenburg and Saror are nonnames for such a project, alas.
Danil Chupakhin,
Smurenburg and play only no-name extras, to tell the truth.
Ravenside, well, in my opinion, it could have turned out no worse than Bernhard’s in the first film.
Dmitriy,
Well, in terms of action, maybe yes, Bernhardt wasn’t allowed to open up much there. And so - Bernhardt will be more colorful, so why compare...
I even rewatched the third “Wick” specifically and realized that for all my admiration, I voted for it wrong. Keanu Reeves is much more powerful than his rivals. Indonesians look cool in their films. They're cool here too, and the fight choreography is great, but the effect isn't the same. When a small hero kills a big villain like Check Norris, it's cool. On the contrary, it doesn’t look good at all. Dacascos is one and a half times thinner and shorter than Reeves. He looks like a modern-day Steven Seagal, throwing stuntmen around the weight of a fly. Technical, but not dramatic. In the episode of the fight in the glass room, everything comes out very clearly. Yes, Reeves would just push anyone with his ass and he would fall
"Ip Man" has become a successful commercial franchise, and in addition to the films mentioned in the publication, there are, at a minimum, "Great Masters" and "Ip Man: Birth of a Legend." I have no doubt that we will see Donnie Yen again in the fifth episode, and a bunch of different “exploitation” films are being filmed.