Let's
be clear, 80's Jackie Chan does not equal 90's Jackie. 90's Jackie
doesn't equal 2000 Jackie and 2000 Jackie does not equal 2015 Jackie.
But whether you're a seasoned 80's Hong Kong action veteran or a newbie
looking to expand your collection there's no doubt that Jackie Chan is
somewhere on your shelf or in your watch list.While on the heels of Iron Man at #2 in 2015 for Top Earning Actors Worldwide,
it's amazing that Chan is still wowing audiences and still at the top
of the earning ranks. He may not being doing the same dangerous stunts
but he is still always elevating his game and trying to do something
different like with his new film, Dragon Blade.
To be
honest it's been a while since I've seen a Jackie Chan film. For so long
I was absolutely obsessed with his films and couldn't get enough. When
he finally broke into Hollywood with Rush Hour it was both a
happy moment to see one of my favorite actors who I skipped school to
shake hands with finally have a legitimate Hollywood hit but it was also
sad to see how he just wasn't the same Jackie Chan. From this moment on
his films would be different. They would be entertaining and great but
not have the same recklessness that gives his older films that charm. I
don't want to discourage you from seeing all his films, but I hope to at
least introduces younger audiences to his older work that they or you
might not be familiar with. Winners & Sinners (1983)
Chan returns from his under the table Hollywood debut in Cannonball Run (1981) to do a supporting role in Sammo Hung's Winners & Sinners.
His last two films had been considered failures and he was in a
transitional period that would eventually open the door to something of
his first Renaissance. You can see the beginning of things to come. before Police Story,,,Sammo is more agile than you think..The
fast paced choreography was a change from the typical slow styled fight
scenes you find in traditional kung fu films. It was more real and
closer to life while still maintaining the martial arts foundation. It
would influence Chan's later work and also made me realize that people
got hurt making these films. A lot. Ow,Project A (1983)
Though Yuen Biao appeared in WInners & Sinners, Project A is
regarded by many as the birth of "The Three Dragons" The trio of Jackie
Chan, Sammo Hung & Yuen Biao produced a string of hits over a five
year period. The films would define the HK Martial Arts genre of the
80's and would influence Chan's later films that now have influenced all
of the world of Martial Arts film making. Spinning jump kick over SammoThis
was also the beginning of the modern Jackie Chan style of film making.
He takes his direction and writing to another level using what he's
learned from Hollywood. Project A was an homage to Harold Lloyd's "Safety First" and it was no more apparent than the ridiculous clock tower stunt he nearly kills himself doing. WIth one hand...seriously.The
funny thing is that Lloyd used camera tricks to level out the danger of
his stunts where as Chan just went all out. His use of the continuing
shots showed audiences it was really him really putting his body on the
line.
Project A was the film that made me not only absolutely love Chan but have a profound respect for his stunt team. Add chalk for effect,,,Wheels on Meals (1984)
Not
only was 1984 a big year for Hollywood it was also a big year for Chan.
After the success of Project A, Chan Hung & Biao teamed up again
for what many argue their best film together. The Three DragonsYes,
the movie has a ton of great fight scenes and Chan and Yuen Biao are
awesome together but let's not beat around the bush, the movie is all
about it being the first fight between Jackie Chan and Benny "the Jet"
Uriquoz. looks so cool...Some
consider this fight to be the best on film. I for one am partial to the
rematch but there is no doubting that there is some awesome
choreography.
Thanks
for reading and be sure to look out for the second part of this article
where we will look through Jackie Chan's best between 1985-1988! Also
check out my other articles on comics and sports!
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