Here are Keanu Reeves’ personal favorite kung fu movies, including The Matrix. While he’s never been labeled an out-and-out action star like Sylvester Stallone or Jean-Claude Van Damme, Keanu Reeves does have a knack for attaching himself to great action movies. From Point Break to Speed or the John Wick series, Reeves has many action classics to his name. He’s also shown – particularly in The Matrix or John Wick movies – that he’s capable of executing incredible fight sequences too.
Of course, not every action project he’s attached himself to has panned out. 1996’s Chain Reaction was a total dud, as was the expensive bomb 47 Ronin. Reeves did, however, have the good sense to pass on 1997’s Speed 2: Cruise Control, recognizing that the basic premise of the lambasted sequel was laughable.
Even Reeves sole directorial credit to date – 2013’s Man Of Tai Chi – showed off his love of martial arts and action. Here are Keanu Reeves’ favorite kung fu movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Five Fingers Of Death (1972)
The first of Keanu Reeves’ favorite kung movies is Five Fingers Of Death (AKA King Boxer), whose popularity in North America made it something of a precursor to the success of Enter The Dragon – which almost recast Bruce Lee. This Shaw Brothers classic features something of a slim setup, but its incredible fights and shocking violence made it stand out upon release. Seeing Five Fingers Of Death as a teenager always stuck with Reeves, for its moodiness, fights scenes and for one shocking moment in particular: “Well, what struck me as a kid was when the guy jumps up in the air and takes the eyeballs out. I mean, I was a young person; I was just like, “What?!”
Enter The Dragon (1973)
There are few kung fu movies as iconic as Enter The Dragon, which tragically proved to be the final completed film of Bruce Lee. The film mixed incredible martial arts scenes with a James Bond-style plot, and it made a huge impression on young Keanu, who saw in Times Square with his stepfather. The actor spoke of his love of the movie, stating “… the drama, the music, the flashbacks, the beginning — as the tournament fights are starting — very, very cool. The super fight at the end, the fight in the mirrors, the claw!” It’s worth noting that a similiar mirror scene featured in John Wick: Chapter 2.
Tai Chi Master (1993)
Another of Reeves’ favorite kung fu movies is 1993’s Tai Chi Master, which paired Jet Li with Michelle Yeoh – who almost returned for Die Another Day. In addition to featuring an emotional story of friendship and betrayal, it’s also packed with action, ranging from classic duels to weapon combat. Reeves says of the “highly recommended” Tai Chi Master that “There’s something really beautiful about that one, the scope.”
Fist Of Legend (1994)
While seemingly rarely acknowledged as such, Jet Li’s Fist Of Legend ended up having a big impact on The Matrix. The movie sees Li’s student seek revenge for the murder of his kung fu master, and the movie is filled with stunning fights. In fact, it was one of the movies the Wachowskis showed to the cast of The Matrix, with Reeves stating “It’s just good, hard, Yuen Woo-ping choreography; Jet Li’s awesome; there’s a lot of fighting… yeah, I’m definitely gonna say that one. A good, clean, awesome fight movie.” Yuen Woo-ping later served as the fight choreographer for the first three Matrix movies.
The Matrix (1999)
Keanu Reeves’ final, favorite kung fu movie is The Matrix (where Neo DOESN’T know kung fu outside of the Matrix), which doesn’t need an introduction. It’s not narcissism that made the star place the movie on the list either, with Reeves stating “I think I’m gonna throw The Matrix out there as a seminal, modern kind of “keeping the dream alive” of the kung fu movie.” In addition to being a landmark sci-fi action movie that was ruthlessly ripped off by later movies, The Matrix also features fight sequences that hold up to this day, with the Neo vs Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) subway fight being one of Keanu’s favorites.
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