1. Tien Vs a bunch of people with bins on their heads (Ong Bak 2)
You might find this a strange winner. It certainly isn't an iconic scene, nor is the film the best in the list. However, when reviewing these fights for this list I was reminded that actually this is by and large the most creative and well performed fight scene ever filmed. Ong Bak (a film that is in no real way related to this pseudo sequel) showed us what a great physical performer Tony Jaa is but it is a crappy film. Ong Bak 2, whilst still a little bit silly, is actually a beautifully shot film. Every shot, no every frame is stunning. Tony Jaa actually directed this film and even though it literally drove him to a meltdown, it is an awesome directional début. One thing I will say though is someone needs to take note of Nattawut Kittikhun, the cinematographer as there is a real talent there. Ong Bak 2 is like the result of Apocalypto and every martial arts film ever having loads of kids that then go through generations of incest and have boiled down to one movie. Set in a nondescript era of ancient Thailand, the story follows Tien, an orphaned prince who becomes the pet project of a group of pirates that just happen to contain masters from almost every martial art a young boy could wish to learn. Tien is inexplicably trained in everything from Bushido to Drunken Boxing and eventually becomes a master martial artist so versatile he puts the Swiss Army Knife to shame. While narratively this is both odd and silly, it opens the floodgates of Jaa's imagination. Unlike the original Ong Bak where Jaa focused on stylised Muay Boran, we are treated to a kung fu cocktail like you will have never seen. There are multiple styles of kung fu, multiple weapon disciplines and of course his trade mark Thai styles but, what makes it so extraordinary is how he throws all of this into one really good, really long and really awesome fight. It's mind blowing. A fan of the genre will probably enjoy picking out the styles from different movies and genres just as I did. Even wire fu gets a nod through the weird crow witch guy. If you need any further reason to believe that this deserves the top spot, he fights a guy on top of an elephant. I mean come on!
Further Viewing
Here are some other titles that didn't make the list but are totally essential viewing for fight fans: Enter the Dragon Fist of Fury Way of the Dragon Police Story 1 & 2 Project A Dragons Forever The Drunken Master Once Upon a Time in China 2 Kiss of the Dragon The Man From Nowhere Kill Bill Vol. 1 Iron Monkey The Prodigal Son The Warrior