Seven Reasons For The Popularity Of Karate Movies
Sunday, April 10th, 2011Martial arts movies have rapidly spread over the world during the past few decades. Among these non-stop action karate movies have gathered quite a cult following. Here are seven reasons why karate films continue to enchant throngs of cinema-lovers over and over again.
The first reason as to the popularity of karate films is because it’s highly entertaining to watch. Though many of the story lines tend to be predictable, it’s easy to get drawn in by the fast-paced action and breath-taking fighting skills of the actors. Most of the latter are experts in this martial art form, and the crowds adore it when the hero outwits the bad guys with devastating kicks and ingenious moves.
Such cinematic marvels are also being watched simply because western cinema lovers get the chance to visually experience a foreign culture. In a sense, it’s like taking an inexpensive voyeuristic tour and being enthralled by what one sees. So the cultural information exchange aspect is another motive for the popularity of the movie flicks.
Since film makers have noticed the huge box office potential of such fighting flicks, the former have been digging deep to produce ever more big budget ones to grow its already substantial fan base. Even western cinema notables have joined the bandwagon by occasionally playing in karate-inspired films. This has definitely boosted the overall popularity of these films.
Another motive for its popularity happen to be the fact that the heroes on the celluloid screen have become iconic role models for many youngsters flocking to the big screens. The availability of DVD and video formats today have certainly helped to make these movies and its stars more accessible. By mimicking the latter, many have opted to start practicing karate as sport, and have come to be inspired by what the heroes achieve on film, hoping to repeat these feats in the fan’s own life.
Reason number five has to do with the positive effects the films have on karate disciples especially. Those who take part in the sport because of what gets portrayed on film find there are ample good motivations to continue with it. Besides making new friends and having something to do after school or work, it also touches other aspects of one’s life. It’s a major health booster, instills discipline and shapes constructive character and mental sharpness.
There is also something magical about the experience of watching cinema which martial arts movies also share. And it has something to do with transporting the imagination beyond the ordinary to fantastic places. Through its stories these movies relate to the lives of many viewers. The themes of nobodies becoming somebodies because of fantastic martial arts skills are indeed confidence-inspiring, and many wish to emulate these. The crowds keep returning to the cinema seats to be enchanted by watching everyone’s fantasy stuff in concrete and appealing visual form.
Though focused on spectacular fighting scenes, karate movies are many-faceted. This is another motive for its fame. Film goers get to watch the whole gamut of human social issues dealing with injustices, the tragic, heroic and the comical. Hopefully these seven reasons provide some insight as to the genre’s popular cult-status.
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