Hong Kong martial arts films analysis

Discuss and compare the generic characteristics and historical evolution of Hong Kong martial arts films and action films in terms of theme, plot, and/or style.
Films screened in class in entirety:
Fist of Fury (Dir. Lo Wei, starring Bruce Lee, 1972)
Supercop (Dir. Stanley Tong, starring Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh, 1992)
A Better Tomorrow (Dir. John Woo, starring Chow Yun-fat, 1986)
Infernal Affairs (Dir. Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, starring Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu-wai, 2002)
Note: DVDs of some films are on reserve in Shields Library. They are available for 2-hour loan. You can watch them in the library.
Additional list (film clips shown in class):
Dragon Gate Inn (Dir. King Hu, 1967)
One-Armed Swordsman (Dir. Chang Cheh, 1967)
Enter the Dragon (Dir. Robert Clouse, starring Bruce Lee, 1972)
Drunken Master (Dir. Yuen Woo-ping, starring Jackie Chan, 1978)
Once upon a Time in China (Dir. Tsui Hark, starring Jet Li, 1991)
Rumble in the Bronx (Dir. Stanley Tong, starring Jackie Chan, 1995)
Wing Chun (Dir. Yuen Woo-ping, starring Michelle Yeoh, 1994)