Growing up in Blackpool and Preston, I loved watching martial arts Movies.
When I was a kid, I learned about the martial arts from classic martial arts films and tv shows. I’ve listed some of my favourites here:
- Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon
- Chuck Norris is Missing in Action
- The Karate Kid with Pat Morita
- Jean Claude Van Damme in Blood Sports
- Buck Rogers in the 21st Century starring the unforgettable Gil Gerard? (I did have to look up Gil’s name..)
Even today, I still have a soft spot for these martial arts masterpieces. I grew up in Blackpool and many of my friends studied a form of martial arts because of films like these. Thinking back (nostalgic 80’s music in the background playing…) Some of my best childhood memories are the father and son moments spent watching some of these greats on VHS (not Betamax!). When not writing blogs, Kraving or dog walking. I enjoy spending time with my own son watching films together, (We also spend time together playing with Lego and co-op video games).
It’s striking how easily the martial arts have evolved with the media. It’s much more prominent than when I was a kid. In recent times, I’ve seen Bart Simpson take a Krav Maga Kick to the groin in the Simpsons.
More mature story lines in films like Hanna have children able to fight assassins. This is way beyond Johnny Lawrence giving Danny a flyer to enter a karate tournament so:
“…they would know where to collect the body [ooohhh]”.
Plots have certainly progressed. You may know by now that I’m martial artist, but also a Kravaholic. With my Krav Goggles on I’ve noticed how the media are starting to reference Krav Maga much more today. Have you checked out Splinter Cell, with some awesome martial arts and Krav Maga moves. Comics are starting to arm their hero’s and heroines with Krav Maga skills, I discovered a DC comics character with Krav Skills, check out Dinah Drake “…was a vigilante and former special operative who was once a member of Team 7 [expert in Krav Maga]”.
With martial arts becoming part of the norm in the media, I think that we’ll continue to see a rise of Krav Maga in films and video games over the next few years. This trend will impact our children similar to when I was a kid. However, instead of pretending to be Ninjas. Today, kids may start pretending to be Krav Experts (it could happen). One day soon, children may start asking their parents if they can learn Krav Maga to be like their favourite game character. Does this mean that parents should be worried that kids want to emulate games as well as films? If children want to learn a martial art, this is positive behaviour that parents should encourage.
“Mums and Dads, do not fear that your child will be the next James Bond”
Learning about how to avoid conflict and break away training from predators are good skills to have and they’ll get this in a Krav Maga Class. Moving away from the serious martial arts films of the 80s, martial arts has also been submerged into comedy. Recently, I’ve seen a number of YouTube sketches about Krav Maga. There’s now plenty of TV shows featuring martial arts lessons or Krav Maga trained people as part of the punch line. Check out Comedy Snacks where “…Gary and Dave teach you how to defend yourself against street gangs, assailants and VD..[using Krav Maga]”. When people start having fun with a martial art, you know you’ve made it in the big league.
Well, to conclude I say “Long may the trend of martial arts in the media continue”. I’m looking forward to the latest games and films featuring martial arts and one day maybe West Coast Krav Maga will also have our own Movie star from within the ranks, possibly a half decent Krav Maga App or even a comic featuring Captain Krav Man. One day soon, children may start asking their parents if they can learn Krav Maga to be like their favourite game character or movie star.
The author would cheekily like to mention that we are starting children s Krav Maga lessons in Preston for ages 7+. For more information on the classes you can register for a Free lesson via the general enquiry form on the www.Kravclasses.com website or call Lee & Gill on 07984261974 to reserve a place for a FREE trial.