In short: Kung Fu Kendra Reviews: The Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time is Book 1 of a new series by Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra. She rates more than forty kung fu films as a fan and as a Wing Chun teacher. It is coming soon to Amazon in Kindle and paperback.
A Wing Chun Master Rates the Classics
Kendra Mahon has trained in Wing Chun since 2005, and many of her students first came to her because of a film. In this book she answers the questions they ask most: Is that real Wing Chun? Could anyone really do that? Which movie should I watch first? Each review covers what she loves, what is real and what is movie magic, and the lesson a student can take from the film.
How the Kendra Score Works
Every film gets a score from one to five for Real Kung Fu, Fight Choreography, Heart and Philosophy and Rewatch Value, for a total out of twenty. Sixteen or more means essential viewing. Only three films earn a perfect 20: Ip Man (2008), The Prodigal Son (1981) and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978).
Kendra’s All-Time Top Ten Kung Fu Movies
From the book’s conclusion, the ten films she recommends above all others:
- The Prodigal Son (1981). The finest film ever made about the Wing Chun lineage, and pure joy from start to finish.
- Ip Man (2008). The film that introduced Wing Chun to the modern world, with a hero worth imitating.
- The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978). The greatest training film ever made.
- Enter the Dragon (1973). Bruce Lee at his most iconic.
- The Way of the Dragon (1972). Bruce Lee’s own vision, and the greatest fight in the Colosseum ever filmed.
- The Legend of Drunken Master (1994). Jackie Chan at his breathtaking best.
- Fearless (2006). The best film about defeating your own ego.
- Iron Monkey (1993). Heroism, compassion, and Yuen Woo-ping at the top of his game.
- The Grandmaster (2013). The most beautiful martial arts film ever made.
- Kung Fu Panda (2008). Because there is no secret ingredient.
The book also has a part called Kendra’s Honest Takes, on famous titles that get kung fu wrong, and a suggested viewing order for beginners.
The Kung Fu Kendra Reviews Series
- Book 1: Movies. The Best Kung Fu Movies of All Time, Rated by a Wing Chun Master. Coming soon.
- Book 2: Techniques. The Best Kung Fu Techniques of All Time, Rated by a Wing Chun Master.
- Book 3: Forms. The Great Kung Fu Forms, Rated by a Wing Chun Master.
About the Author
Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra, has trained in Wing Chun since 2005 and holds Master level (purple sash). She teaches Traditional Wing Chun as it was passed down to her by Master Brian Lewadny, who learned it from Grandmaster William Cheung. She founded Kung Fu Kendra and the Global Kung Fu Alliance in 2012 in Calgary, Canada, and is the author of 13 books and counting. See all Kung Fu Kendra books.
More Kung Fu Kendra Reviews
- Kung Fu Kendra book reviews from Amazon readers
- Kung Fu Kendra student reviews of her Wing Chun online course
- Kendra on writing this book at KungFuKendra.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kung Fu Kendra Reviews a book series?
Yes. Kung Fu Kendra Reviews is a book series by Sifu Kendra Mahon in which a Wing Chun master rates kung fu classics. Book 1 covers the best kung fu movies of all time. Book 2 covers kung fu techniques and Book 3 covers kung fu forms.
How many movies are reviewed in Book 1?
More than forty, from Come Drink with Me (1966) to Shang-Chi (2021), in eight parts, each with a Kendra Score out of twenty.
What is the number one kung fu movie in the book?
The Prodigal Son (1981), Sammo Hung’s film about the Wing Chun master Leung Jan, tops Kendra’s all-time top ten.
Who wrote Kung Fu Kendra Reviews?
Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra. She has trained in Wing Chun since 2005 and holds Master level (purple sash).