7. Hector Vs Achilles

Hector vs Achilles
Troy (2004)

Eric Bana and Brad Pitt in "Troy"

Combatants: Eric Bana (Hector) and Brad Pitt (Achilles)
Length: Approximately 5 minutes
Director: Wolfgang Petersen

View Slide Show (30 images)

This one makes the list because it features a fighting style I had not seen before. The choreographers took the spears, swords, and shields kind of fighting that we've seen a million times and turned it into something interesting. The way Hector and Achilles move is very fluid, and they constantly attack any open body part they can find.

Also, the fight doesn't look too practiced - sometimes you can tell when actors have practiced a fight scene too much, because they are no longer emphasizing each hit, but rather just going through the moves in their heads. This is why there are no fights from any "Matrix" movies on this list, although they were considered: they can't sell the hits. The "Troy" fight has some great moves in it, it's nice and bright, it's in a big open space, and it has some wider angles that show both fighters in the frame or moving through it.

6. Johnny Cage Vs Scorpion

Johnny Cage vs Scorpion
Mortal Kombat (1995)

Chris Casamassa and Linden Ashby in "Mortal Kombat"

Combatants: Linden Ashby (Johnny Cage) and Chris Casamassa (Scorpion)
Length: Approximately 5 minutes
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

First of all shut up, calm down, and take a deep breath. This is the best videogame fight, so it's on my list. I like the speed, I like the number of techniques, I like that they are using "hard" style karate (as opposed to "soft" styles like kung-fu), I like ninja costumes, I like heavy metal music, and I like video games.

Ok, I'll give you that it does end poorly, and that there isn't quite enough Mortal Kombat-type magic in the thick of it, but it has some excellent choreography and it's photographed well. It's easily the best fight in the movie. It has a lot of clean, strong martial arts in it, and the give-and-take of the fighters is what makes it so good.