Jet Li vs Jackie Chan: Who's Better for the Asian Image | Asian American Issues

GOLDSEA | ASIAMS.NET | ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES

JET LI vs JACKIE CHAN: DUELING IMAGES
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:56:24 PM)

n late July 2001 the world's two top martial arts stars announced a deal to co-produce and co-star in an action flick to be filmed in late 2002 for a 2003 release. The question naturally arises: what kind of movie could do justice to two such divergent types? Jackie Chan is a highly acrobatic clown who has built his following on a self-effacing counry bumpkin image. Jet Li is a deadly serious warrior who finds it easier to crack a man's neck than a smile.
Now that both global megastars are releasing big-budget Hollywood films at a breakneck pace for seven-figure salaries, they are the most visible Asians in the American filmgoing consciousness. Whether we Asian Americans like it or not, our image is shaped more by the screen exploits and antics of these two broken-English speaking foreigners than by any dozen Asian American actors. In the filmgoing psyche the sober, chaste and deadly-efficient Chinese cop in Kiss of the Dragon is pitted against the nimble goofball in Rush Hour 2.
Which Hong Kong star is better for the image of Asian Americans?

This interactive article is closed to new input.
Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.

Asian American Videos

Films & Movies Channel

Humor Channel

Identity Channel

Vocals & Music Channel

Makeup & Hair Channel

Intercultural Channel

CONTACT US | ADVERTISING INFO

© 1996-2013 Asian Media Group Inc
No part of the contents of this site may be reproduced without prior written permission.

WHAT YOU SAY

[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]

it's good to have any asians (fob or american) on screen as the good guy. can't get too picky as to how they do their thing at this point.

jet li and jackie chan will hopefully give asians greater exposure which may hopefully lead to a greater demand for asian actors (fob or american) in american produced film and tv.

anyways, back to the question at hand. i've been a JC fan since i was 10 years old. i didn't just jump on the band wagon like most of the people in the US so he's like an all time favorite. i like jet li becuase he has great form and style.

by the way, i feel the opening article above doesn't do jet and jackie real justice at all. jackie is not just a clown. he's had some pretty serious intense roles in some of his films and jet li has been a clown in several of his older films which is fun to watch too! all you OG HK movie watchers should know what i mean! =)
d@ m@n karaoke888@hotmail.com Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 09:05:10 (PDT)

Although I don't necessarily agree with how Jet Li and Jackie Chan present themselves in their movies, I am definitely happy about seeing more Asian faces on tv and the big screen! It's so comforting every time I see another commercial promoting one of their movies, because that means Asians are beginning to gain popularity in America. By that, I mean in fields other than the traditional and stereotyped "math and science" disciplines. Isn't it a great step for all of us? (I do wonder however, why Russell Wong hasn't been more prominent in movies? He's definitely attractive and a good actor! I am sure that many women, not just Asian, would flock to see him perform!)
Aileen aileenshiue@hotmail.com Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 01:18:27 (PDT)

Although I respect both of the actors for their Martial Arts Skills and their rise to fame. The images portrayed by these films have serious negative impact for Asian Americans. In the entertainment industry, the work that most asian men are bounded to are "Martial Arts" films. It doesn't allow Asians to go beyond that stereotype.

Its a shame that the only Asian movies that are sucessful in America are only Martial Arts films.

Time for change Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 12:11:31 (PDT)

I think that the popularity of these two actors is a great step forward for all asians in this white-washed world!
Congee Monday, July 23, 2001 at 10:41:35 (PDT)

Any Asians in the media who are positive role models to our Asian kids and communities are always welcome. We Asians will have a better edge in the future if there's an Asian influence in all aspect of American life. Yes, we are all Americans, but let's not forget that we are all Asians too!! Being American AND Asian defines us as a unique and powerful force for our Asian people in the United States. Let's not abandon our Asianess for the sake of assimilation into white society.
sapp Monday, July 23, 2001 at 09:36:08 (PDT)

This is like asking which one of are a better fruit: the potato or the tomato? The answer is Neither, because they are not supposed to be any images for Asian Americans. As the question states, they are Hong Kong actors. And, they do not portray Asian Americans positively or negatively. In all of their roles, if memory serves me correctly, they portray Chinese who have come from Hong Kong or China. However, they are great actors, and their movies do kick butt! So, chill, don't take it too personally, and enjoy their movies!
Love 'em both Monday, July 23, 2001 at 00:28:37 (PDT)

I would definitely love to go see it if they had romantic scenes and scripts with beautiful white females. Oh, yes!
asian man saving the white woman! Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 22:04:47 (PDT)

Jet Li
CalpolyStyle Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 15:38:22 (PDT)

Neither. They're both FOB stereotypes that perpetuate racism against American Asians.
Sick of the Asian Thing Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 11:00:41 (PDT)

Definately Jet Li. Jackie Chan is a tough guy, but at least Jet Li isn't a clown. Asian men need to be taken more seriuosly. We are NOT court jesters for whiteboys.
Another Tough Guy Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 01:01:33 (PDT)

They Both Are: But Jackie Seems To Be A Bit Better, He's More Well Known.
Jackie Chan #1 Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 23:40:58 (PDT)

Actually, they are like yin and yang. And, we benefit from both images. Jackie Chan brings out the humor and loving side in us, while Jet Li shows that Asian men are not to mess around with. If Bruce Lee was still with us, it would have been even better!!!!!!
chance in a lifetime Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 22:49:50 (PDT)

I don't believe either one of the two actors(?) are a good or better image for Asian American. This question is asking us to pick the better of two evils. Americans, in general are still at a sixth grade reading level, and are consumed and driven by the Hollywood glamour and portal of life and epidemic stories. So our choices are, look like a culture of broken English buffoon or the serious killer that talks with his/her fist rather than make a gesture to talk.
If Asian Americans are to be seen as am image oriented culture (?) in this country then maybe we should look for actors/actresses that started in "The Joy Luck Club".

Joel joel.kamm@verizon.net Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 15:12:32 (PDT)

I think both of these guys are great action heroes! They both are well known for their expertise and martial arts; they are both fairly charismatic as well in their own way. Although I wish they were more Asian actor stars on the silver screen today, and in particular those who are known for more than than martial arts, I think these two guys are great!

I hope Jackie Chan and Jet Li continue to dominate the silver screens. I further hope more Asia stars appear from the younger generation!
I should have been a Star!! :-) Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 11:45:56 (PDT)

I like both stars a lot, but I felt the image of Jet Li in Romeo Must Die gave a better image of Asians.
:-) Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 11:35:53 (PDT)

i'm also sick to death of asian characters being stereotyped doing kungfu. I'm sure 98% of us aren't interested. Even in Australia, when a TV ad has an eastern theme, the characters are doing B-grade martial arts. The worst are the Toyota ads featuring a camel beating up guys with exagerated asian features and a "Mum" roll-on deodorant ad where a lady of vague asian appearance beats up a few guys. Not positive images at all.
Ray Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 06:44:44 (PDT)

Neither, Jackie is a likeable guy but speaks with a fobby accent and you can't take him seriously. Jet Li tends to be serious, conservative, intimidating like a triad member. At least both aren't the skinny, dorky type with long hair. We need more Russell Wongs, Rick Yunes and Tony Leungs

Ray Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 06:36:02 (PDT)

Personally, I think Jackie Chan is a clown because he's basically a comedian. Jet Li on the other hand is more like a hard core kind of guy. Cool, but gentle. He doesn't do all that goofy stuff that you see with Jackie. Jet Li sort of reminds me of Bruce Lee. He's small and powerful. Sure his English sucks but his KOD shows a lot of potential in his ass-kicking image. Too bad Russell Wong isn't able to get any movies where he's the star of it like he was in Vanishing son 3.
Kiss of the Tiger Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 00:13:05 (PDT)

Jet Li is the sexy one. He's an awesome fighter and all his movies are really serious. Jackie Chan is the funny one. He is a great comedian. He should stuck with comedies because he's great at it.
latata Friday, July 20, 2001 at 21:04:47 (PDT)

They are both great martial artists and actors. I like to watch Jackie for a good laugh but watch Jet for a good fight. I am more bias towards Jet Li's acting because he is more suave and smooth in his movements like how Chow Yun Fat is. I think Jet Li would be a better image for Asian Americans because, in his movies, Jet demonstrates how a little person can whoop up on a much bigger person based solely on skill. I'm not saying Jackie Chan should stop making movies or something. I wish Jackie even more success because I get a kick out of his action/comedies! I admire them both. It's like comparing apples to oranges when it comes to their cinema styles. I would be very happy, if one day, Hollywood portrayed a dashing/charismatic leading Asian actor in a blockbuster movie that involved love scenes with a beautiful/strong leading Asian actress that didn't involve any martial arts or gunfire.
Nam Friday, July 20, 2001 at 20:58:47 (PDT)

Neither. Because all and all they are both reenforcing the kungfu-kicking image, lacking any substantive character development in their movies. In my mind the greatest way to usher foward the Asian American persona is to allow real characters with depth to be portrayed on the cinema.

There is no problem with the kungfu in itself. But there is a problem when you create stories to setup your creative marital art displays with no dedication to all other aspects of story and character development.

If the two were really bold, they would try to craft a script that would allow for character development (while working on their own acting skills)...allowing the public to see real life filled with depth people on screen...not some two dimensional martial arts figurine.

What's really sad..is that these two have the financial power to pull this off since they are producing this film. They have artistic control, but don't have the guts to do some cutting edge stuff. Rather they are content to make the buck and cater to the mainstream public's desires, instead of challenging them and inspiring them to think and see differently.

Enoch Yeung
Enoch Yeung Friday, July 20, 2001 at 15:24:20 (PDT)

Martial arts movies can be entertaining whether their stars are asians or otherwise. However, when asians star in martial arts movies, it only serves to perpetuate the stereotype westerners have of asians. It's no different than Italians playing Mafiosi or Pizza chefs.

Asian Americans are better served by actors playing non-stereotypical (non-martial arts) roles. Actors like Dean Cain, John Lone, Chow,Yun-Fat or Keanu Reeves are better representatives of Asians and Asian Americans.

That said, Jackie Chan is a very likeable guy, while Jet Li, perhaps unintentionally, doesn't come off as well.
AAMAle Friday, July 20, 2001 at 13:10:52 (PDT)

I'm African-American, so ironically I probably have no business pondering who has a more positive role model appeal for Asian Americans. Personally, I think both of them are extremely talented masters of their craft who do what comes naturally, i.e; Chan is more of a humorous acrobatic type, whereas Li does more "serious-minded" stuff. As far as image, having two totally polar opposites being such huge fan favorites here in the states proves that not all Asian actors go the same route in their films.
T.B. Friday, July 20, 2001 at 12:53:24 (PDT)

NEWEST COMMENTS | EARLIER COMMENTS