Essential Films of Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan is one of the most famous names in the world. No matter where you go in the world, the name Jackie Chan will spark a conversation. His career has spanned well over fifty years and he has starred in over a hundred films. A career that expansive can hardly be simplified down to five films, but I’m willing to give it a try. Whether you’re a fan or just looking to get into Kung Fu cinema, this list is for you. Here are the top five essential film of Jackie Chan .
Drunken Master (1978 – Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping)
Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, Drunken Master stars Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-Tin, Hwang Jang-Lee, and Kau Lam. Chan plays the Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung, but in the form of on a sniveling, bratty youth. After having enough of his son’s attitude, Fei Hung’s father calls master So Hai to discipline his son. Oh, and he also teaches him Drunken Boxing. Drunken Master is what you think of when you hear essential Kung Fu films. This film is in the same ranks as movies like 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Enter the Dragon, and Five Deadly Venoms. There are a few annoying elements that are common in many Kung Fu films throughout the 70s and 80s. This comes in goofy characters with giant moles and comically large teeth. Also, a character gets his face shoved in poop, so let’s look past that and get into the martial arts in Drunken Master.
Drunken Master is the film in which Jackie Chan found his footing as an on-screen performer. He truly started to define his style of action that fans know today. Chan blended his acrobatics, martial arts, and comedy to perfection. This is evident in the final battle between Jackie Chan and Hwang Jang-Lee. However, if you’re wanting an extra dose of comedy, then wait for Jackie’s fight with the staff wielding Hsia Hsu. The scene in which Fei Hung begins taking So Hai’s lessons seriously is an incredible moment. The focus put into So Hai’s form is breathtaking as music sweeps through the scene. If you’re looking to see Jackie Chan coming out of his shell, beginning his true meteoric rise, then Drunken Master is a must.
Wheals on Meals (1984 – Directed by Sammo Hung)
Wheels on Meals was one of many collaborations between the Three Dragons (Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao). The film also stars Lola Forner, Keith Vitali, and Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez. Chan and Biao play two martial arts training, skateboarding food truck vendors. The two help the private investigator Sammo Hung solve a mystery and… none of that matters
The only thing that matters in this movie is the fight between Jackie Chan and Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez. There are other action sequences, including excellent moments with Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. But almost nothing happens in the vast majority of the film’s runtime. Thankfully, the last act hits the audience across the head with Chan’s glorious battle with Urquidez. The two perfectly combine Hong Kong flair and realistic, full contact brutality. Chan and Urquidez have another iconic clash in the Three Dragons film Dragons Forever. And that may even be an overall better film; however, their first round deserves this spot. Jackie Chan and Benny Urquidez beat the absolute hell out of each other, and it is a must-see event.
Police Story (1985 – Directed by Jackie Chan & Chi-Hwa Chen)
Here is the quintessential Jackie Chan film. But I should probably still talk about it for the uninitiated. Police Story was directed by Jackie Chan and Chi-Hwa Chen. The film stars Jackie Chan, Brigette Lin, Maggie Cheung, and a plethora of Hong Kong staples. Chan plays a hero cop trying to put away a dastardly criminal who frames him for the murder of another cop. The film contains everything that made Jackie Chan an international sensation. The blend of comedy and action is perfectly balanced to form a near flawless film. If you wanted to introduce someone who had never heard of Jackie Chan to his movies, then Police Story is the one to do that.
If you want death defying stunts, then Police Story has it. Are you looking for a fun comedy? Police Story brings the laughs. And if you want to see high octane fight scenes, then Police Story is packed to the brim. Jackie Chan is the master of making something fun and funny without losing the tension of the overall story. In the final act Jackie Chan and his crew wreck shop through an entire mall. This scene is full of some of the most terrifying slams you will find on film. This includes a slide down a pole covered in lights that resulted in Jackie Chan burning the skin off of his hands before destroying his pelvis on the landing. This is one of the greatest action films ever made and is simply a must watch for fans of film in its entirety.
The Legend of Drunken Master (1994 – Directed by Lau Kar-Leung & Jackie Chan)
The sequel to the first film of this list was directed by Hong Kong legend Lau Kar-Leung alongside Jackie Chan. The cast is incredible featuring Jackie, Anita Mui, Ti Lung, Felix Wong, and Ken Lo as the fast kicking villain. Ken Lo was previously Jackie Chan’s personal bodyguard as well as a Muay Thai champion. So, he really isn’t anyone to mess with. Similar to the first film on this list, Jackie’s Wong Fei Hung is still disappointing his father. Fei Hung joins a movement to stop a group who are stealing Chinese relics and exporting them from the country. From start to finish The Legend of Drunken Master is entertainment in its most concentrated form. And this may be up for debate, but in my opinion The Legend of Drunken Master has the best Drunken Boxing of any movie.
Jackie’s abilities in martial arts, acrobatics, and comedy blend into the gold standard of martial arts action. This is proven in every single fight scene, from a fast-paced fight scene in a marketplace to the stunning finale against Ken Lo. That final fight is one of the most blisteringly structured fight scenes that you can find. Jackie Chan is nothing if not perfectionist and that shows in this scene. Reportedly, this one fight scene took a full four months to shoot. In the time that most people could have made seven movies, Jackie made one perfect seven minute fight scene.
Honorable Mentions: Armour of God (1986), Crime Story (1993), New Police Story (2004), City Hunter (1993), Fearless Hyena (1979), Miracles (1989), Who Am I? (1998)
Gorgeous (1999 – Directed by Vincent Kok)
The fifth spot on this list was difficult to fill, but I decided on Gorgeous. Simply because it is the film with Jackie’s last great one on one fight. Gorgeous was directed by Vincent Kok and stars Jackie, Qi Shu, Tony Leung, Emil Chau, and Brad Allen. The film is about a young woman in Taiwan who receives a love letter in a bottle and follows it back to Hong Kong. She meets a man played by Jackie Chan who also has a business rival who hires a champion fighter to take Jackie in a fight. It’s an odd plot, but it is entertaining enough with fun characters. Even though the movie is pretty funny, this is not why it is essential. There are some very good fights in New Police story or Forbidden Kingdom, but nothing on this level.
They have two fights, both brilliantly fast paced, and the story told through the psychology of the fights is some of my favorite that Jackie ever did. But Gorgeous also has two comedy fights leading up to the serious stuff. Both are a lot of fun, but the second one featuring a bunch of baseball bats is a seriously entertaining scene. There are still so many Jackie Chan movies to choose from but after serious thought, none of them compare to the final two fights from Gorgeous. In Gorgeous, Jackie takes on Brad Allen, who was a member of his stunt team at the time. Brad Allen is an incredible martial artist capable of keeping up with Jackie Chan’s extremely high standards.
It is said that Jackie made Rush Hour for the money, but he followed up with Gorgeous because it was his baby. Jackie’s love for the project is evident in his attention to every detail of action.
Conclusion
So, there you go! Five films that I believe are essential to get acquainted with not just Jackie Chan, but the Kung Fu Genre itself. If you’re new to kung fu then let me know if you’re going to check out these movies. And if you have seen these then what do you think? What do you believe are the five essential films of Jackie Chan? Let me know in the comments and check out my other reviews and articles here on Martial Journal. Head over to Youtube where you can catch me reviewing and discussing Martial Arts films and even doing a video version of this article.
Check out my Youtube channel where I review and discuss martial arts films.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYUbj1Rjnf07S3UbVvKZ0Q?view_as=subscriber
- Five Bad Martial Arts Sequels - November 22, 2021
- The Top Five Essential Films of Jet Li - March 8, 2021
- Essential Film of Jackie Chan - December 4, 2020
Leave a Reply