Go Go Calvin-zilla!

Well, I watched Police Story. Silly. But....did Jackie Chan do all his own stunts and also teach others?

Yes. Jackie did all of his own stunts and trained the other actors. He’s been injured numerous times over the years doing his own stunts. He used to have trouble getting insurance for his films because the insurance companies didn’t want to lose a lot of money paying out all of the claims. I guess there’s really not any 100% serious Jackie Chan films to watch. That’s been his #1 specialty throughout his career, the comedy mixed with the martial arts. I really can’t think of any 100% serious films with him. They pretty much all have comedic aspects. Even his films that he’s done primarily in America in the last 30 years.

That's actually quite remarkable. The bus scene in Police Story was amazing. This is the second time I have learned something that makes me respect him more. Thanks for helping me learn about him. There's even a documentary about him that I came across...I'll watch it, too.

You’re welcome. I love the serious martial arts films the most, but I’ve always been a fan of the old JC movies. He had a lot of reverence and respect for Bruce Lee. He even appeared as an extra (one of the army of fighters) in “Enter The Dragon” when he was still a teenager.

Oh, really? I'll have to watch for him in that movie...which, I probably shouldn't admit, I haven't watched...but always thought I should.

In “Enter the Dragon” the scene he’s in is where he gets killed by Bruce. It’s a very brief appearance. I only found out about it when I watched a documentary about him and it mentioned that he was in it. When I watch it now I can tell it’s him. He was around 18 when he was in it. He started out as a child actor in Hong Kong, at the age of 8 and then he was primarily a stuntman until he started getting starring roles in the late 1970s.

Interesting! He started out as a stuntman...no wonder he does his own stunts while acting in movies.

He actually started out as a child actor at the age of 8. He was in a theatrical troupe in Peking with several other children who were in theater and also appeared in films. That’s where he learned all of the skills that he used in his films later on: acting, martial arts, comedy and acrobatics.

He’s probably the most famous actor and personality in the entire world. At least that’s what I’ve read. I guess 1.5 billion Chinese people help add to all of that recognition. He’s second only to Bruce Lee in legendary status among the martial arts film industry. It’s pretty impressive. He’s 70 years old now and still going strong. The worst thing about him is his involvement in the Chinese government. When he was younger he was a supporter of democracy for Hong Kong and against the communist government. Over the years he’s become a huge supporter of the CCP. I don’t know what his motivation was to change like that, but he wouldn’t have had the huge success in movies that he’s had over the last 30+ years without the CCP’s help. If he’d spoke out against the government then his films would’ve been banned.

That’s true, Susie.

Lol! I remember the first time I saw a dubbed karate movie and thought the same thing...why do they keep moving their mouths after they're through talking...lol...the things kids notice & wonder about crack me up

I know what you mean. I’m a big fan of a lot of the Chinese and Japanese martial arts films. Especially the old ones. That’s one of the best parts of those films, the dubbing. Some of it’s really funny to watch.

I had Korean friends. Her dad loved Bruce Lee...that was my first experience. It was hilarious to me. But I just didn't get it and it made her dad mad. Lol! Since then, I became a fan of Bruce Lee. I really like the newer movies. The House of Flying Daggers is a gorgeous movie and good fight scenes.

Most of the lower budget ones are the most poorly dubbed. Those are the funniest ones to me. The House of Flying Daggers is a great movie. A well done film. Bruce Lee is still the greatest of them all in terms of movie martial artists. It was an absolute tragedy that he died so young. His influence will be forever.

I respect his philosophy and his desire to teach others. I don't see him as the greatest in terms of movie martial arts. Have you seen "Hero" with so many fantastic fight scenes? Then there's the Ip Man, too.

I haven’t seen “Hero”. I’ll have to check that one out. I think that Bruce was the most influential figure in the martial arts world. Others might’ve outperformed him in the years after his death, but none of those people quite had the mystique and persona that he had. (Just my opinion at least. 😁)

Definitely he was the greatest influence. Now, it seems Jet Li is influential. I'll watch any movie with Jet Li.

Jet Li is great! I love his movies. He always has a great presence and confidence in his roles. He definitely has always had the top level martial arts skills. One of the true legends. I also love the early Jackie Chan films. Before he got big in America. His combination of fighting skills and slapstick comedy was legendary. He was always putting his life on the line doing his own stunts, too. He was fearless!

Right now I'm watching both Jet Li & Jackie Chan in "Forbidden Kingdom." The first time I saw it, I was surprised Jackie Chan was that good. Previously, I thought he was too foolish. I also like the stories about the Monkey King (which is a part of this movie).

“Forbidden Kingfom” is a good movie. I haven’t watched it in a while though. Jackie Chan was at his best in his 1980s and 1990s Hong Kong movies. I’ll admit that he did get a little too silly sometimes. He had some of the most amazing fight sequences I’ve ever seen though. He truly had skills.
I also like a lot of the Monkey King stories. The animated ones especially.

Got a suggestion for a good Jackie Chan movie where he isn't so silly?