by Gene Ching
I recently had the good fortune of attending an exclusive sneak preview of Jackie Chan's recent American release, Rumble in the Bronx in San Francisco. What made this screening particularly delightful was Jackie Chang was attending, along with the director Stanley Tong, and his manger Willie Chan. I can't be sure, but I think my first Jackie Chan movie was either New Fist of Fury (where he is marketed as the new Bruce Lee) or Shaolin Wooden Men (where he shows David Carradine a thing or two about how to get your Shaolin Forearm brands). That was about two decades ago. I had already seen Rumble last year as well as his following films, Thunderbolt and First Strike. It was really Jackie in person that I come to see, one of my favorite martial arts movie stars.
I was disappointed with the American edit of Rumble. I am sure that this new cut will increase it's appeal to the Western audience, however, I favor the Hong Kong version. Hong Kong Film gets pretty diluted when it gets to the U.S. Compare John Woo's The Killer or Hardboiled to his Hollywood efforts Hard Target or Broken Arrow. The American Rumble added more cursing and fighting sound effects, yet backed from the brutal human/tree-shredding scene. Anita Mui's role, the Madonna of "Cantopop" music, was virtually cut out. Even Jackie's hilarious Michael Jackson imitation was cut. On the whole, Rumble was not one of Jackie's stronger films, but it will be remembered internationally just like The Big Brawl and introduced a whole new generation to the "Completed Dragon". It is definitely worth seeing, however it pales in comparison to his previous film, Drunken Master II.
Drunken Master II is an awe-inspiring return for Chan to one of the most beloved characters in martial arts movies, Wong Fei Hung (see page 11). Lau Kar Leung, a student of Lam Tsai Wing's lineage, directs and costars with Jackie however the two allegedly separated ways in the middle of production, which gives Drunken Master II some continuity problems. Nevertheless, the action sequences are remarkable, so much so that Jackie portrayal of a teenager at forty is almost convincing. Although New Line Cinema has Jackie's American distributions for his next four movies under contract, Miramax plans to release Drunken Master II later this year, as well as Crime Story in the late August. This is tentative, remember how many different release dates we were subjected to for Rumble.
The release of Crime Story may be unfortunate. While this movie is a high intensity drama that demonstrates Jackie's broad acting range, it lacks the action and stunts on which Jackie's building his American reputation. This will certainly interfere with New Line's careful marketing strategy. America's myopic view of film stars limits Jackie's marketability here. For example, Jackie has just released a CD "Heart of the Dragon" of Chan singing his own original Cantopop songs. This CD comes packaged with a 60+ page clothbound picture book of Jackie in poses aiming directly at Teenage girls, just like Tiger Beat magazine. This probably wouldn't sell in America. Imagine Seagal or Van Damme singing for teeny boppers! It only works in Asia.
Thunderbolt, presumably New Line's next release, is a race car movie. Beyond singing, acting and fighting, Chan also advertises for Mitsubishi, so a race car film is appropriate. While there are some great action sequences, the final car chase is somewhat anticlimactic. Jackie allegedly reinjured his ankle, which also deprived Rumble of a climactic final fight.
First Strike, Jackie's latest release in Hong Kong, is part four of one of his strongest modern adventure serials: Police Story (not to be confused with Crime Story). The three previous movies are all amazing rollercoaster rides of action and over-the-top stunts. First Strike is no exception. Jackie has taken his "Supercop" character to new heights. First Strike is a James Bond-like thriller directly lifting classic Bond scenes like an intense opening sky chase, a monstrously huge hit-man and a climactic fight in a shark tank. However, Bond could never fight like Jackie. Jackie's choreography remains imaginative and extraordinary. After one amazing fight scene in this film, Jackie's dazzling displays of timing and acrobatics will forever change your view of furniture, especially ladders. Of the movies headed West, First Strike may be the one that has the best blockbuster potential.
Rumble in the Bronx earned $9.9 million in its first week of release, an unheard of sum for a foreign action movie. Will it bring Jackie recognition in the west, despite his poor English? Is America ready for an Asian superstar? Martial arts are so stereotyped in the public eye. Will the public accept a martial arts movie star that is more self effacing than macho? Can they respect a hero that is a goofy as he is skillful?
I am grateful that I got the see Jackie in person. His movies have given me so many moments of delight and inspiration that it was a pleasure give him back heartfelt standing ovation with an audience of his loyal fans. Jackie's legacy is already substantial, even if he never gains overwhelming international fame. Bruce Lee never achieved that in his lifetime, either. Those of us in the marital world can say that we watched him in the "good old days".
