Random Thoughts

One of my favorite genres of movies is that of kung fu. There's just something about watching two masters of the art beating themselves up with new and creative moves, while going "KAYA!" and "HOONYA!" and "ICKYICKY!" One of the most influencal artists in this field is Jackie Chan. Starting his career in the 70s, Jackie's made more then 90 films. The first few he was just an extra in, but as time passed, Jackie began to gain more and more ground.

Now, he's become so popular, he's being put in crappy roles. It's the natural course of Hollywood. The more popular you are, the more crappy movies and TV shows your in. I'm talking about, of course, The Tuxedo, The Jackie Chan Adventures, and his latest entry, The Medallion. With such thumb-downers, people may begin to forget what it was that made Jackie Chan great. Today, we look at my top 10 Jackie Chan movies, from the recent to the old.

Released in 1998, "Who Am I?" is one part Bourne Identity, one part Dances With Wolves. Jackie stars as a commando who, during a mission to kidnap some scientists, gets tossed out of an exploding helicopter and lands on his head in South Africa. With his memory temporarily jogged, Jackie gets abducted by one of the local tribes. When asked his name, Jackie can only say "Who Am I?" Thus, just because, the tribe thinks that's his name and stuff.

This is your standard Jackie Chan film. It's got some good action, some decent comedy, and Jackie dressed up in tiger stripes. But it's the second half, when Jackie leaves the tribe and kicks a big executive in the crotch and then fights an Australian on top of a building with a bag of flour, that really makes this movie. I mean, come one! He's fighting an Australian on top of a building with a bag of flour! What else could you want?

Dated 1980, Jackie plays a young student of the local... um, school. His character, Dragon, really, really sucks, and is disgracing the entire class body, so he's kicked out. He'll only be let in under one condition. He must find his bigger brother, who's one chaotic little dude. Mis-identity and other stuff happen. Yeah.

Jackie's character is rather arrogant and very teen-like, and Jackie's real age wasn't far off at the time. The action was good, but what was more amazing was how well the comedy worked out. There wasn't one stage where I groaned over a bad joke. A solid Jackie Chan film, a solid Jackie Chan.

What's better then Jackie Chan fighting pirates? Jackie Chan fighting pirates while in the navy. Yep, both Jackie Chan action AND navy action. Filmed in 1983 and taking place in the late 19th century, Jackie plays as a local Coast Guard. The pirates are making fun of both the Chinese and the British, and while Jackie's character doesn't really give a damn about the British, he does care for the image of his own country, so it's off to kick some pirate butt.

This was one of the first "old" Jackie Chans movies I saw, and I fell in love with his "old" style. And um, yeah...

Jackie Chan joins forces with a bunch of GHOSTS! Coming out in 1978, Jackie plays a trouble making kid who gets caught up when top-secret secrets are taken from the local temple. Jackie takes it upon himself to get stop the bad guys, but he ain't got the skill. Luckily, there are five crossdressing spirits with red hair ready to teach him a thing or too.

This movie is completely insane, and must be taken light-heartedly in order to watch. It's pretty rare nowadays, seeing it sucked in the box office and was only released on limited DVD. It's fun, though, and that's what matters.

What? "Enter the Dragon" is a Bruce Lee movie, you say. Ah, that may be true, but Jackie makes a cameo role as a henchman. Which leads to the most anticipated match in Kung Fu ever: Bruce Lee Vs. Jackie Chan! To this point, Jackie had never played a really big role, and it was a slow climb from stuntman to leading actor. This film gave a boost to his career, though, just by merely fighting the legend that is Bruce Lee

The match goes like this: Jackie grabs Bruce from behind in a huge bear hug. After a bit of struggling, Bruce breaks free and grabs Jackie by his his then-long hair. After a bit, Bruce then breaks Jackie's neck, and Jackie goes down. So, Jackie losses. That's ok, because it takes guts to face Bruce in the first place. It was this loss that gave a much-needed boost in Jackie's career. So, good for you, Jackie!

Dated 2000, Jackie plays a Chinese Imperial Guard who goes to the Wild West of the U.S. to find a kidnapped princess. There, he runs into Owen Wilson, who plays a small-time thief. Together, they hunt down the kidnappers and do a bunch of funny stuff.

This film made a comedian out of Jackie in the U.S., which isn't a bad thing. The movie's a hoot to watch. A HOOT. This movie's most interesting villain is when Jackie comes in conflict with a bunch of indians. And other great stuff.

Jackie Chan fights a bunch of gang members. What more can you ask for? Taking place in 1995 (since that's when it was made and all), Jackie plays a young man visiting his uncle in New York for his wedding. When a local street gang gets upset, they decided to terrorize the local supermarket. Jackie takes things into his own hands, and starts poking everybody's eyes.

This game is great! Funny, great action, all well-thought out. If you like Jackie, you'll love this film! I love this film! YOU WILL LOVE THIS FILM!!!! YOU MUST!

One of Jackie's first first successful movie series, and for good reason to. Jackie plays a Hong Kong cop who just got a name for himself after busting a drug lord. But, when Jackie gets framed for the murder of another cop, Jackie's got to clear his name while keeping his girlfriend, his job, and his life.

The Police Force movies lasted for two decades, but the first one is the best by far. Jackie Chan running around and kicking butt is really the only reason you go to see these movies, and Police Force delivers. Oh boy, does it deliver.

Ok, I lied. This is what made Jackie Chan a comedy icon in the U.S. This movie set the bar for Kung Fu Komedy. Co-starring Chris Tucker, Jackie plays an investigator who must go to the U.S. to find the kidnapped daughter of one of his friends and other stuff. This film is awesome in every way possible, and was good enough to make a great sequel. Rush Hour is my #1 U.S. Jackie Chan film, and my second favorite of all time. But what made #1?

It's Jackie Chan... and he's fighting drunk! Jackie's character just can't seem to grasp regular material arts. So, Jackie's dad sends him to his uncle, who teaches him the art of fighting while drunk. This movie is the best Jackie Chan movie ever. Jackie not only plays a drunk guy, he plays a drunk guy who uses his hands to strike like snakes, his legs to slap like really-deadly Twizzlers, and his head to bobble around like a Slinky.

Jackie's skills of improve really shine through here. Jackie uses some rather surprising moves and also has surprising long hair. This is the film that really defines who Jackie is. So, Jackie, in short, fire your agent! You're only getting crappy roles now! Go back to the good stuff.