Most UNDER-rated kung fu actor of all time [Archive]

edher_M.A.

10-17-2008, 07:23 AM

In response to the other thread, I wanted to know who you consider to be the must under-rated actor (actress) of all time? the one you feel doesn't get much praise despite having everything to earn it.

Delirious

10-17-2008, 07:32 AM

Chin Kar Lau
Vicent Zhao

Morgoth Bauglir

10-17-2008, 07:36 AM

I don't know why Vincent Zhao hasn't gotten beter roles in his career. I guess he spends too much time on TV? And I rarely see Chang Shan get talked about. He is decent.

Bus

10-17-2008, 09:06 AM

cliff lok

CarterWong

10-17-2008, 03:25 PM

I was also thinking Vincent Zhao and definitely Marc Dacascos.

Milkyway

10-17-2008, 04:12 PM

Xing Yu
Louis Fan
Ernie Reyes Jr

bruceleeclones

10-17-2008, 05:39 PM

Ho Chung Tao

Jstn

10-17-2008, 07:54 PM

I don't know why Vincent Zhao hasn't gotten beter roles in his career. I guess he spends too much time on TV? And I rarely see Chang Shan get talked about. He is decent.

I always like Chang Shan alot.

Morgoth Bauglir

10-17-2008, 08:26 PM

I know at least a few people here rate him high. Nice to see you are one of them:D

silver hermit

10-17-2008, 09:18 PM

i agree with chan shan and i'll add chan wei man the most underrated actor.
chin kar lok is a underrated as for as action goes and i also agree with fan siu wong

Endsang

10-17-2008, 10:30 PM

Chu Ko. Probably the most versatile and skilled martial artist I've seen in a kung fu movie who's gotten the least screen time.

The Dragon

10-17-2008, 10:32 PM

Yuen Biao.
Kuo Chui aka "Phillip Kwok"
Lam Ching Ying

Brigadier Chow

10-17-2008, 10:40 PM

I agree with most all of the above, especially Chang Shan, Fan Siu Wong and Cliff Lok...but I pledge Champ Wang Kuan Hsiung to be another who highly underated. From bashers, to shapes all the way to the modern Triad actioners of the early 80's...this man has done it all.

Morgoth Bauglir

10-18-2008, 12:02 AM

Yeah Champ Wang I think is underrated. He kind of seems like he gets the roles that Roc Tien turned down, but he has skills. He was great in Horse Boxing Killer.

Morgoth Bauglir

10-18-2008, 12:04 AM

Chu Ko. Probably the most versatile and skilled martial artist I've seen in a kung fu movie who's gotten the least screen time.

Shame he didn't get more screen time in his career. You are right. Have you see Rebellious Reign?

TheManInWhite

10-18-2008, 02:45 AM

"Chu Ko. Probably the most versatile and skilled martial artist I've seen in a kung fu movie who's gotten the least screen time."

I agree when it comes to a martial artist that totally under the radar. Like Morgoth said, he's real good in Rebellious Reign. But once you put a weapon in his hand (i.e. Masked Avengers, Chinese Super Ninjas, Brave Archer 3) then he's really dangerous!

Drunken Cat

10-18-2008, 03:06 AM

Lam Ching Ying
Hoi San Lee
Wong Yue
Wang Li

Yakuza954

10-18-2008, 04:03 AM

Morgoth Bauglir

10-18-2008, 04:40 AM

All those guys have great skills, that's for sure, and they are definitely underrated. And I don't think they got enough good roles, except for maybe Alan Chui and Hon Kwok Choi. I just saw We Are Going To Eat You recently. Nice to see Hon Kwok Choi have a good role there alongside other great actors.

Endsang

10-18-2008, 08:37 AM

Shame he didn't get more screen time in his career. You are right. Have you see Rebellious Reign?

Nah I haven't. I didn't even know Chu Ko was in it. Only seen him in the venoms movies and 5EN, where he easily outshines everyone else. It was awesome to see him go up against Kuo Chui in Sword Stained With Royal Blood, and I still rate Chu Ko over him.

kungfusamurai

10-18-2008, 06:35 PM

A lot of the guys mentioned, I think, have been given lots of props in threads over the years, so I'm not sure if they qualify as underrated. Unless the fact they haven't had lead roles makes them underrated?

The guy who stands out for me is Wong Yue. He usually isn't given much credit when films he's in are discussed, or he's criticized for his acting. Or he just doesn't get mentioned at all. To me, he's one of the more underrated on screen fighters.

KFS

Drunken Cat

10-18-2008, 06:54 PM

The problem is that some posters want to go with underused instead of underrated. To me, they are definely not the same thing. Good call on Wong Yue, KFS. Looks like I might be adding to my list.

Jstn

10-18-2008, 07:05 PM

Han Kwok Choi
Tsui Siu Ming
Alan Chui
William Yen
Ben Lam
Dai Sai Aan

Wait.. I just realized this is a thread for the "most" under-rated kung fu actor of all time. Oh well, those are just some guys who I feel are underrated.

Yes, Tsui Siu Ming was amazing in Buddhist Fist - highly talented performer in my book. Also, Alan Chui....i liked him in most movies i've seen him in.

shukocarl

10-18-2008, 07:23 PM

Ku Feng (Guk Fung)

Tosh

10-18-2008, 10:43 PM

I don't know why everyone knocks this guy, but Hsiao Ho, this guy can unwrap a proper package of kickass onscreen.

ironfistedmonk

10-19-2008, 03:46 PM

I'd agree Hsiao Hou and Wong Yue don't get the credit they deserve, they get panned for the comedy roles they played but no recognition for some of the great films they starred in.

Tung Li is another under-rated actor IMO, the guy has character, he can play good guy and villain roles and he looks tough as hell.

Morgoth Bauglir

10-19-2008, 09:50 PM

Yeah I agree. Even in a badly done movie like Snake Crane Secret Tung Li stands out.

Cesare

10-19-2008, 11:38 PM

...a guy whom I don't see mentioned that often, but who IMHO deserves to be mentioned - Law Lok Lam... Worked mostly for TV, but he's IMHO great action-wise - and a very decent actor, too.

And I'd toss in Wai Pak, too - I really think he's getting way more bad rep than he actually deserves...

Yi-Long

10-19-2008, 11:49 PM

- Chin Siu Ho
- Brad Allen
- Yuen Biao, not by any of us, but he has just been in too few movies that REALLY showcased him well.
- Joe Eigo
- Mark Dacascos
- Yi Long (I'm really fantastic)
- Tan Tao Liang
- Benny Lai
- Max Mok?

Morgoth Bauglir

10-20-2008, 12:14 AM

Yeah Yi Long may be underrated. he is a above average. And I don't know how much of the action Max Mok was actually involved with in Fire Dragon, but he gives a good acting performance. but other than Fire Dragon and The Assassin he never really did it for me.

Chinatown Kid

10-20-2008, 02:10 AM

Kim Won Jin, he was awesome in Operation Scorpio. He should have got more starring roles.

edher_M.A.

10-20-2008, 03:29 AM

Yes, after watching Operation Scorpio, i wonder why Kim Won Jin didn't get more starring roles. He's gold.

Endsang

10-20-2008, 11:40 AM

Yes, after watching Operation Scorpio, i wonder why Kim Won Jin didn't get more starring roles. He's gold.

Heard he got sick sometime after Operation Scorpio and had to go easy for a while.

Jstn

10-21-2008, 02:42 AM

I don't know why everyone knocks this guy, but Hsiao Ho, this guy can unwrap a proper package of kickass onscreen.

I think that he's quality, without a doubt, at least every movie I have seen him in up to this point.

Morgoth Bauglir

10-26-2008, 10:24 PM

Damian Lau I think is underrated. He is great in Last Hurrah for Chivalry. Too bad he didn't start acting in movies until 1979, but he started his career off with a bang. And speaking of Last Hurrah, that reminds me of another guy who is underrated, Chin Yuet Sang. Also, muscleman Cheng Lui. I better stop now, I think everyone is underrated :p

Morgoth Bauglir

10-26-2008, 10:29 PM

I don't know why everyone knocks this guy, but Hsiao Ho, this guy can unwrap a proper package of kickass onscreen.

How could ANYONE possibly knock him?!? I first saw him in Disciples of the 36th Chamber. I was surprised to see a guy so little look so powerful.

Chinatown Kid

10-27-2008, 12:26 AM

That dude's acrobatics are unreal in Mad Monkey Kung Fu, a true classic! :D

northern b

10-29-2008, 08:34 PM

I'll add Charlie Chan and Chai kai- both always provide solid support in any films they are in Legend of a fighter and 7 Steps of Kung Fu among them

For most under used actor one that would spring to mind is Wong Jin maybe he just didn't get the breaks...

Morgoth Bauglir

10-29-2008, 08:43 PM

Yeah Chia Kai has some of the sickest moves around. He lights up the screen in pretty much everything I see him in, even in a horrible movie like Mantis vs Falcons Claws. And I agree Wong Jin was probably underused, because I don't know if I've ever heard of him:p What movies hs he been in?

Delirious

10-29-2008, 08:47 PM

Of all the guys mention above, Damien Lau is probably my personal favorite. He becomes a decent drama actor himself. Very versatile, much kudo to Damien Lau Chung-Yun

Morgoth Bauglir

10-29-2008, 08:59 PM

Yeah Damian Lau is quite good in non martial arts roles. Always a pleasure to see him in a movie.

northern b

10-29-2008, 09:41 PM

Morgoth Bauglir

10-29-2008, 10:11 PM

Oh ok, I didn't recognize his name spelled like that I guess. I thought he got a good showcase in Scorpion King, but it would have been nice to see him in more movies.

Chinatown Kid

10-29-2008, 10:24 PM

I wonder what Won Jin is up to these days? I would like to see him in an upcoming movie with Tony Jaa or Donnie Yen.

Morgoth Bauglir

10-29-2008, 11:14 PM

I would like to see him in any upcoming movie! He made a short comeback and was in No Problem 2 with Yuen Biao and China Strike Force (remember you had to point him out to me in that movie, at least I think it was you C-town Kid), but since then he has been doing action choreography. Probably easier on the body:p

northern b

10-29-2008, 11:39 PM

I wonder what Won Jin is up to these days? I would like to see him in an upcoming movie with Tony Jaa or Donnie Yen.

Yeah in a period piece maybe with minimal wire work -and Yuen Woo Ping action directing.

Being serious though the likes of Jin and Jaa would have thrived in the golden era of the late 70s - 85.

Surerly there are some mainland directors who could work with these guys and make a decent traditional kung fu movie

Yakuza954

10-30-2008, 04:30 AM

Won Jin does a lot of the action choreography for new Korean movies now. The "My Wife is a Gangster" trilogy is probably the most notable - nothing really innovative or great in it though.

CrazyFrog

10-30-2008, 08:40 PM

Chiu Jian Gao
Fung Hark-On- almost always the baddie and pretty versatile. Quick too.

Cesare

10-30-2008, 09:45 PM

Yeah Damian Lau is quite good in non martial arts roles. Always a pleasure to see him in a movie.

Quite good? :-) You're master of understatement...;-) He's an *excellent* actor...;-)

shaolindogpaw

10-31-2008, 12:13 AM

50 posts and nobody mentioned the greatest under rated action star of all time: The man, the myth, the legend that is... Elton Chong!

shaolindogpaw

10-31-2008, 11:39 AM

northern b

10-31-2008, 12:23 PM

Chiu Jian Gao
Fung Hark-On- almost always the baddie and pretty versatile. Quick too.

Yes Fong Hak On- another reliable fighter - I never tire of the opening fight with him and Wilson 'The Footdoctor' Tong in Snake Deadly Act. Top grade choreography wide shots and pure shapes!

Pity he had that terrible part in Legend of a fighter..

bolofan

10-31-2008, 03:14 PM

I have to agree with Bruceclones and say Ho Chung Tao.
He started poorly but as his films went on and he veered away from straight up Bruceploitation films, he looked a lot better on screen.

Gaijin84

10-31-2008, 03:23 PM

Hsaio Ho - no explanation needed
the Chan brothers (Chan Kei-San and Chan Shu-Kei) - they appeared only in a few Chang Cheh bloodfests, but they stood out every time. If I remember correctly, Chan Kei-San's monkey style in Two Champions of Shaolin was awesome
Wong Lik- he's fantastic in all his films
Wilson Tong - always adds something to every fight
Lau Kar-Leung's nephew, Lau Ga-Yung (Sammy Lau) - he really impressed me in Strike & Sword
Johnny Wang - perpetual baddy, always great

thundered mantis

10-31-2008, 07:40 PM

Chung Fa
Hsu Hsia
John Salviatti
Carl Scott
Dai Sai Ahn
Elton Chong
Kwan Yoon Moon
Chia Kai
Chin Yuet San
Cho Wing
Blackie Ko
Yeung Jing Jing
Robert Tai

and countless

Morgoth Bauglir

10-31-2008, 08:56 PM

Allright, it's official. Elton Chong is now the undisputed greatest underrated action star of all time.

http://www.hkcinemagic.com/fr/images/people/thumb/magnificientnaturalfist-eltonchong_cd0eeac062343019c7ec52ab6fd06a28.jpghtt p://www.rarekungfumovies.com/headshots/1216/thumb711(01).jpghttp://www.rarekungfumovies.com/headshots/thumb711(01).jpg

Elton Chong is underrated. I'm surprised he wasn't listed on this thread yet (though nice to see him finally get mentioned by thundered mantis :D) He is a good actor at times, has good fighting skills, decent acrobatics, and really good grounded and flying kicks. And he seems to be willing to do anything, like in one scene in Shaolin Drunk Monkey where he jumps down about 6 or 7 feet into a narrow creek. It looked like he could have been severely injured by rocks, but he must have just been a really crazy guy, and maybe that's why he always plays such crazy characters. I would have liked to see what Sammo or another director could have done with him.

The Dragon

11-01-2008, 06:41 AM

Han Ying.

Morgoth Bauglir

11-01-2008, 07:00 AM

Han Ying.

I don't know if he's underrated, because I think most rate him very high. I mean, how could you not rate him high?!

ironfistedmonk

11-01-2008, 10:09 AM

Elton Chong is underrated. I'm surprised he wasn't listed on this thread yet (though nice to see him finally get mentioned by thundered mantis :D) He is a good actor at times, has good fighting skills, decent acrobatics, and really good grounded and flying kicks. And he seems to be willing to do anything, like in one scene in Shaolin Drunk Monkey where he jumps down about 6 or 7 feet into a narrow creek. It looked like he could have been severely injured by rocks, but he must have just been a really crazy guy, and maybe that's why he always plays such crazy characters. I would have liked to see what Sammo or another director could have done with him.

LMOA XD

Elton Chong does have good skills but is a terrible actor who starred in mostly terrible films, if you want under-rated stars from Korean films then Han Ying and Mike Wong are your men

Morgoth Bauglir

11-01-2008, 10:33 AM

I agree he isn't that good of an actor, but like I said I thought "at times" he was a good actor. It is a shame he was only in really bad Korean movies (though there are a few I enjoyed). I really think that if he would have had the chance to work with better directors and action directors, he could have done really well.

Another guy I just thought of is Wang Tai Lang. He is amazing in his fight against Lung Fei in Horse Boxing Killer. One of the few movies where he got to really show off his skills. I don't think I've ever seen him talked about on this forum. I also think Kuan Feng is underrated. I think most people rate him high, but he was wasted in so many SB movies. THough I did enjoy his non fighting role in Chinese Super Ninjas. The way he overacts in his death scene fits the cheesiness of that movie perfectly.

ironfistedmonk

11-01-2008, 01:49 PM

Wang Tai Liang had good skills but because of his looks he was never gonna get any decent roles.

Another decent actor who only got small roles was Chan Wai Lau aka Crowman or Granny as I call him cos he seems to play Grandma roles in far too many films lol usually plays a weaselly character up to no good, he was alright.

Morgoth Bauglir

11-01-2008, 08:53 PM

haha, you gotta love his granny character in 37 plots of Kung Fu. I have always enjoyed Chan Wai Lau's work too. He is a great comedic actor, and shows some decent fighting skills in movies like Avenging Boxer and World of Drunken Master. But of course we all know his best role was in Shaolin King Boxer where he plays Slasher Pete's "friend". :D

Now what about Chan Lau? He was one badass mofo in Secret Service of the Imperial Court:p:p

ironfistedmonk

11-01-2008, 11:59 PM

Chan Lau! I honestly can't remember his role in Secret Service, I need to see this film again cos I didn't like it first time I saw it but enjoyed it more the second time so if I see it again it could become a classic XD I do remember him having his balls bitten off in a film though (struggling to remember what film it was, The Dragon The Hero maybe?) This guy actually looks like he may have been a decent actor and he had some kung fu too but yet again his unconventional looks counted against him and he mainly played weak villain roles.

Slasher Pete :D

Jacky Chen Shao Lung is another under-rated guy, he wasn't in too many films, probably most famous for Of Cooks and Kung Fu and Tai Chi Shadow Boxing but the guy was also a great action director, he did the business for Fearless Dragons (Two on the Road), Dynamite Trio, Of Cooks and Kung Fu and also one of my favourite under the radar films Jade Fox, if you ever get a chance to get your hands on this then definitely get it, superb film.

Morgoth Bauglir

11-02-2008, 01:41 AM

You are right, it is The Dragon the Hero aka Dragon on Fire. And I agree Jacky Chen may have gone unnoticed by a lot of people, but he did put in some great work as an AD. And Chan Lau and Pai Paio have a 2 on 1 fight with Phillip Ko, and then Lau Wing in Secret Service (it turns into a pretty short fight when Lau Wing starts fighting). It's one of the few roles he had where he doesn't do any comedy or play a weird character or anything like that. He did have decent kung fu skills. Well, maybe on a good day he was decent. But why the director of Secret Service chose to try and make him look like a badass, I have no idea :p

Kaal

03-16-2009, 12:04 AM

Ngai Sing and Fan Siu Wong. Cool that both of them has been in a Donnie Yen movie as villains though.

But would love to see Ngai Sing as a main star in some new big HK production, he has it all!

odioustrident

03-16-2009, 04:33 AM

Has anyone mentioned Man Lee-Pang, the hero in My Life's on the Line? That guy kinda outshapes Leung Kar-Yan in the film, it is certainly arguable. I haven't seen any of his other stuff, I think Cunning Kids and Queen Bee's Revenge had him in some main roles. I'd love to hear what people think of him!

Morgoth Bauglir

03-16-2009, 06:37 AM

I never thought about it but I agree Ngai Sing would be awesome as the lead in a new HK action movie. Somebody needs to get on this!

I don't know how Man Lee PAng didn't become a star. Besides his awesome performance in My LIfe's on the Line, the only other movie I've noticed him in is Kung Fu on Sale where he plays the villain. Good fighting from him, but the editing is really choppy.

Kaal

03-16-2009, 03:00 PM

Joh Haau Fu is a great kicker, saw one movie with him for like a year ago.

Nice that you guys agree about Ngai Sing, I thought I was the only one who thought so because you never hear people talk about him..

shaolin drunkard

03-16-2009, 04:58 PM

How about Pang Gang?He is one my favs from independent area of Kung-Fu

odioustrident

03-16-2009, 10:37 PM

oh man Peng Kong! I remember thinking how great it was when a villain was also a solid acrobat. I think Wong Wing Sang also did a lot of flips and all that, at least in a few films. Those kinds of villains always make for a great finale.

butcher wing

03-18-2009, 02:08 PM

I would have to go with chen wai man, tung wei, and chen sing oh I can't forget cassanova wong i know there are more but its early. hong kong and taiwan have a lot of actors to choose form.

The Dragon

03-18-2009, 05:42 PM

Blackie Ko.

The Master Killers.

Kaal

03-18-2009, 10:57 PM

Just saw that movie yesterday Dragon! Really good.

I liked Blacky in Master Killers, empress kung fu haha.

Morgoth Bauglir

03-18-2009, 11:02 PM

I don't remember Blackie Ko in The Master Strikes. Maybe you are thinking of Eddy Ko. I do like Blackie a lot, especially in Boxer's Adventure. He was always joking around and gambling on everything, and he was also pretty badass.

The Dragon

03-19-2009, 03:17 AM

Chinatown Kid

03-19-2009, 03:38 AM

I think Ho Chung Tao is underated, he was known as a famous Lee imitator under the name Bruce Li but the man was a pretty good martial artist and made some very good films, the man did have some charisma too. Carl Scott was a very good Martial artist as well and it's a shame he only did a few films before he got out of the industry. I think Kim Won Jin is underappreciated too, the man had awesome kicks and acrobatics.