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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
JET LI vs JACKIE CHAN: DUELING IMAGES
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:56:22 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?
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WHAT YOU SAY
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While Jackie Chan is very funny, does all kinds of crazy stunts and gives great entertainment, I have not been happy with his US Ventures--i.e. both Rush Hour movies and Shanghai Noon. I feel that he's playing the clown to Chris Tucker and allowing anti-Asian stereotypes to be perpetrated in the Rush Hour movies. While Shanghai Noon was less offensive in that regard (Owen Wilson looked like an idiot more in that one), I felt that Chan's role should have been more forceful in that one. In any event, his older movies and his cartoons are better than his most recent film outings.
Jet Li's roles in "The One" were awesome as far as AA males go. As Yu Law, he's a kick-ass villain who is nearly unstoppable on his way to becoming a God. As Gabe Law, he's a loving husband (to a cute White wife), a capable cop who has the respect of his peers who are of various ethnic groups and is honest to a fault. In the end, Gabe gets a reprieve and a new life--he doesn't die or sacrifice himself for some non-Asian. While Yu Law gets sent to a prison planet where he starts into kicking ass non-stop and showing everyone who's boss.
Those types of roles are much better for the Asian Male image as a whole. My only complaint is that they really needed to devlop both characters a little more--about 20 more minutes of story/plot development would have made The One better in my opinion.
WM Action Movie Junkie
Tuesday, November 20, 2001 at 07:21:15 (PST)
Jet Li and Jacky Chan.
the two most well-known top action stars.
I'm awed by Chan's fighting. he puts alot of work into it, with quality hits such as Drunken master 1&2.
(meals on wheels)
Jet Li is more of mainstream matrix style. I mean his wu shu is spectacular, and they should make a movie minus the wires. i didn't like Romeo must Die. The lovestory was good, fighting was sub par. I can actually point the exact sequences borrowed from other movies..
But it seems my friends are split between who's better. Jet Li is probably the next generation, although most of his movies suck, besides the Tai Chi Master, The legend, lethal weapon 4,
martail arts
Monday, November 19, 2001 at 22:31:37 (PST)
I think both are equally good for the image of Asians. Jackie Chan is proof to audiences that not all Asians are introverted and humorless. Whereas Jet Li is proof to all that not all Asians are weak and pushovers. Unfortunately, I don't think these images will have a lasting influence on people. Just because people watch their movies, it doesn't mean they have an interest in or respect Asians. I honestly believe most (the mainstream) just like the novelty and the chop-socky aspects of the films. I hate to be negative but once the martial arts craze expires, both actors will have hard times landing other roles. At least Jackie Chan has a chance with dramatic and comedic roles. I'm not so sure about Jet Li.
The Analyst
Monday, November 19, 2001 at 12:58:40 (PST)
Ace,
Have you seen Jet Li's earlier works from China?
"Shaolin Monk"
"Chinese Hero"
Then His works in HK
"Once Upon A China"
"Legend of the Fist"
"The Enforcer"
"Tai Chi Master"
In the films from China there is almost no wire work involved. But budget wise they are very small. If you like the polish look of Hollywood movies, then there are no comparison, because of the huge budgets Hollywood has.
As for Jacky Chan, he purposely makes films with no guns, no sex, no overt violence, and no obvious wire work. But in "Who Am I" when he falls off a skyscraper, of course he is attached to a wire.
You are obvious biased about the cinematic styles of martial art on film. However, Jet Li is not the producer or director in most of his works. He has no say about what the final product looks like.
Jacky on the other hands owns his own studio. He has control of all aspect of his films not produced in Hollywood.
Because of Jet Li competive Wu Shu background his techniques are more polished than that of Jacky Chan.
On the other hand Jacky is an action junky and will do things no one else in the world will try to attempt.
AC dropout
Friday, November 16, 2001 at 06:22:56 (PST)
I dissagree with the first comment because that is what Jet Li's movies are known for. It's not real but entertaining. It looks cool, too. Jackie Chan may do his own stunts but who will be still alive if he messes up and dies. I think Jet will be. Jackie Chan is cool too. They both are equal in their own way.
Lilaznboi
Monday, November 12, 2001 at 11:09:33 (PST)
i would like to go for jet li. Mr.chan also can be serious about his work but would also like to please his entertainers. he is not a goofball clown everybody thinks he is. he cares about his coountry that is a very good personality.
Jet li, can have fun if he wanted to. he needs to lightn up on his work. Don't do to many serious roles all the time. then it would make him look like a grumpy old goat. even though he is fine and a bag of chips. i love his high flying action that can take your breath away in less than 2 seconds. they are both better for an image for asian-americans. Jackie chan shows the lighter side os them and jet li show the power that they can have.
Keisha
bad_raider_baller@hotmail.com
Monday, November 12, 2001 at 10:59:42 (PST)
I am gonna point out honest facts. Jet Li has never really done any type of real fighting in his scenes. Its all wire work. When he fights realistically it looks unnatural. Jackie Chan fights realistically and it looks natural. He just flows through his scenes and yes even though he uses wires too sometimes he makes it flow through the scene to and dosnt look stupid like Jet Li using wires . I grew up hating Jet Li because he has never impressed me. I cant stand watching his movies and I believe that he is highly overated. Nothing he does is real and when it is real it sucks. Jackie Chan is my role model and he in my opinion can top Jet Li in everyway. Jet Li better stick to wire work because he isnt ready for the Jackie Chan style of fighting. Jackie Chan constantly makes people jump out of there seat and makes them wonder how did he do that? Meanwhile if your asking yourself how did Jet Li do that, your an idiot, its fake. I can pull off every move Jet Li has and make it look better and i am only 15. This guy sucks. He is gonna get hurt working with Jackie. I hope Jet Li fans read this and respond back. I have seen practically all of his movies and his best one is THE ONE. That and Kiss of the Dragon are the only ones that i will give a second look too. Jet Li has studied Wushu and mastered it when he was a kid. If he is the best Wushu has to offer i think that i will skip that stlye. Jet Li is nearly ten years younger then Chan and i bet u that Chan would still dust him in a scene. Jet Li isnt Physical or fast enough, matter of fact he is GOOD enough to go head to head with Jackie Chan. I cant wait until there new movie where Jackie Chan will face his toughest challenge. No his toughest challenge wasnt fighting Benny the Jet....No it wasnt going against his brothers in Dragons Forever....No it wasnt Brad Allan or Kenneth Lo....His toughest challenge will be trying to do something that people have failed to do for years. Make Jet Li look good. Peace out everybody. This letter is for all u Jet Li lovers.
Ace
RagingDemon155@aol.com
Wednesday, November 07, 2001 at 23:00:11 (PST)
I have to disagree, I think Jacky Chans recent Rush Hour 2 is a big setback for asians.
Although I havent seen it, i have seen the previews and it has the usual stereotype about Chinese: "y'all look alike" which is interesting because whites used to say that about black, chinese eating dogs, and Asian as
massage girl prostitute type roles hungry for a non Asian man, and the Dragon Lady type role played by Zhang Ziyi and in the previews that i have seen that made her look terrible.
Jet Li's Hollywood movies, though not up to the standard of his Hong Kong films are a bit more positive,but how many Chinese actors that dont know kung fu are going to get a major Hollywood movie? Not many, Chow Yun-Fat is probably the only exception.
I disagree that any "diversity" in Hollywood is better for the image of asians because of this so-called diversity and im getting tired of repeating myself on this Asian women have yet to be THE STAR of any hollywood production and as for that matter not many Asian males either and of the Asian males that do, they are rarely romantically involved with a non Asian lady in their films and if they are, there isnt anyway in the way of a love scene.
I hope this will be remedied someday, but Jacky Chan making more Rush Hour movies will not help any.
chowyunpat
chowyunpat@aol.com
Monday, October 22, 2001 at 15:10:58 (PDT)
none of these stars are better than the image for the asian american, why? because neither are asian american. I thought asian americans wanted to be seen as asian americans rather rather than an asian migrant. but if you had too pick from the two, then i would have to say Jet li, for the fact that he is more realistic than chan. May not make sense, well think aboiut it for a while.
chantelle
Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 19:48:02 (PDT)
Ok, if we are discussing actors/entertainers/artists Mr Chan is far more superior than Mr li, If your talking fighters/’martial’ artists maybe Mr li would beat Chan in a fist fight (that is today, ten years ago maybe not). Although to objectively judge both artists in their physical ability and their skills on screen as actors and directors you should understand the experience and skills of both actors.
Chan, age 47, is nearly ten years older than Li. Chan’s first leading role was in 1971's Master with the Cracked Fingers. Li's first screen appearance was in Shao Lin tzu 1979 (eight years later). Jackie has been in approximately 80 movies, where Li only around 28. This experience is invaluable and cannot be taught by teachers or learnt at universities. At this stage of analysis Chan is leading the debate. The experience and skills of both actors are very important when they are filming, directing and acting in a film. Chan and Li both have different styles of martial arts and filmmaking. Therefore to objectively determine who makes better films is quite difficult because it comes down to the individual and there likes and dislikes. I personally enjoy the style of film making that Jackie Chan has. It is unique to him and he has created his own genre of film that other directors and filmmakers often try to emulate and in most cases unsuccessfully. I believe Li has fallen into the Hollywood action blockbuster genre, which is predictable, and generally a plot less style of filmmaking. To have both actors in the same film will create an interesting contrast of style and characteristics and most likely will work excellent with each other (as long as Jackie Chan is the director, and Li does what he is told). To answer the question of “Which Hong Kong star is better for the image of Asian Americans”
The question is not one I would ask although I will answer; in general terms Mr Chan is “better” for the image of Asia and Asian actors. Chan has worked very hard and developed skills and a talent that you don’t often see, he is unique and dedicated, and he is also role model. None of his films have excessive swearing, nudity, sexual references or stories created around drugs or violence. I feel any diversity in Hollywood is “better” for the image of not only Asia but also anyone who enjoys films.
Jason Potter
mrpotter@dingoblue.net.au
Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 05:40:24 (PDT)
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