The Princess Bride (1987) remains a landmark film for its story, humor, and its remarkable depiction of swordsmanship. The duels, guided by Bob Anderson’s masterful choreography, were brought to life through the dedication of Mandy Patinkin and Cary Elwes. The sword sequences demonstrate timing, strategy, and technique that resonate deeply from a martial arts perspective. The blend of authenticity and cinematic flair elevates the film beyond mere entertainment, and instead offers a study in...| Martial Journal
Disney’s Mulan (2020) reimagines the legendary Chinese heroine through a grounded, wuxia-inspired lens. When the Emperor of China conscripts one man from each household to join the army, Hua Mulan secretly takes her ailing father’s place, disguising herself as a man. Trained in martial arts from childhood, Mulan uses her discipline, agility, and inner strength to rise through the ranks and ultimately confront a powerful sorceress and an invading army. The film departs from its animated pr...| Martial Journal
The Accountant is a 2016 film starring Ben Affleck and Anna Kendrick. This sentence alone may cause some readers looking for a martial arts film to lose interest – but that reaction is premature. Bill Dubuque, who also wrote the popular TV series Ozark and the sequel to this film, The Accountant 2, writes this film. Gavin O’Connor who has experience directing sports and martial arts films such as Miracle (2004), Warrior (2011), and The Way Back (2020) directs it. The Accountant (2...| Martial Journal
