Everybody was Gun Fu fighting

While perusing my favorite online knowledge repository (for the 10/16 posting that was actually finished a few hours ago), I came across an entry cross-referenced for Gun Kata - the pseudomartial art that dominates the film Equilibrium.

Here is how the concept is described in the film:

"Through analysis of thousands of recorded gunfights, the Cleric has determined that the geometric distribution of antagonists in any gun battle is a statistically-predictable element. The Gun Kata treats the gun as a total weapon, each fluid position representing a maximum kill zone, inflicting maximum damage on the maximum number of opponents, while keeping the defender clear of the statistically-traditional trajectories of return fire. By the rote mastery of this art, your firing efficiency will rise by no less than 120%. The difference of a 63% increased lethal proficiency makes the master of the Gun Katas an adversary not to be taken lightly."

Though the concept was introduced in Equilibrium, it didn't reach it's full form until the director/designer (Kurt Wimmer)'s next film, Ultraviolet. Apparently the Gun Kata in the first film was based on more linear, karate-style movements, while the latter was refined to emulate the circular style of kung fu.

I am reminded of a chapter I read in Factoid Books' Big Book of Thugs about a nefarious gent named Mock Duck, who, when engaged in a street battle, would:

". . . crouch in the middle of the street, close his eyes, and blaze away full circle with his two huge revolvers."

It may sound like a hell of a way to fight, but apparently in all of his street battles in turn of the century Chinatown, ole Duck was only injured one time.

More info on Gun Kata

There is even a site that has developed, showing an actual training regimine based on the techniques - Gun Sau.

Be warned - it's hosted on one of those tripod-esqe servers that is pop-up crazy.

Also check out - Guns of Equilibrium and Gun Kata.

As Monty Burns says, excellent.