Jackie Chanis the undisputed king of martial arts movies, but not all of his films are justly appreciated in their time. As a performer, Chan has his movies down to a science, diligently following his patentedsix rules that make a Jackie Chan film. While he’s been at the helm of many hits, the staggering size of his filmography means some movies are bound to be overlooked.
Perhaps it’s because he follows this movie format so religiously that it’s easy to lose some entries in the shuffle, being decent enough movies on their own but representing a paint-by-numbers effort that doesn’t stand out compared toJackie Chan’s best films. Others are forgettablebecausethey differ from the norm, losing hindsight of his lovable appeal.
10The Fearless Hyena
An Easily-Overlooked Revenge Flick
Plenty ofmartial arts films about revengelitter the genre from every major star, and Jackie Chan is certainly no exception.The Fearless Hyenabalances the typical grim elements of such films against Jackie Chan’s typical plucky protagonist, starring him as a rebellious martial arts student who seeks revenge after his grandfather is murdered.
Filming relatively early on in Chan’s career,The Fearless Hyenais a stunning time capsule of a time in which Jackie Chan’s name didn’t bear top-notch production design with it. But a scrappy budget is more than made up for with some of Chan’s most guttural and visceral action sequences yet, not to mention some of the most rage he’s ever displayed on-screen.
Just because Jackie Chan rarely gets himself into straightforward serious roles doesn’t mean he can’t be any good in them, andCrime Storyproves that to an extent. Not to be confused with the ’80s hit series-starterPolice Story,Crime Storyposits Chan as yet another police inspector searching for a kidnapped business executive in dangerous enemy territory.
Crime Storydoes a great job at giving Chan’s character some internal demons to overcome alongside the external ones. While it’s clear that he was still a little shaky as a dramatic actor in such a weighty role at the time, it’s a genuine effort that commands respect. It helps that the pulse-pounding action sequences and stunts are as great as ever.
8Armour Of God
Should Have Been A Hit Franchise
The idea ofIndiana Jonescrossed with Jackie Chan antics seems like it should have been the stuff of blockbuster legend, but for some reason,Armour of Godnever caught onas a series, although a single sequel was made. Jackie Chan is treasure hunter Jackie, who gets embroiled in an epic adventure to find the titular magical artifact.
Armour of Godhas some of Jackie Chan’s most creative fighting environments, a real visual treat for a performer who loves to incorporate his surroundings into his fighting. From death-defying leaps onto hot air balloons to fighting off goons with a giant flaming log as a weapon, the stunts of the film deserve more credit in Chan’s body of work.
7Thunderbolt
Put Jackie Chan Behind The Wheel
Martial arts may be the only sports really ever associated with Jackie Chan, butThunderbolthad the interesting idea of putting him behind the wheel of a race car. Here, Chan stars as Chan Foh To, a junkyard mechanic and race car driver whose big race is complicated by a gang of criminals who want him dead.
Seeing Jackie Chan use a glorious Mitsubishi GTO to perform the same type of daring choreography he usually uses with his body offers some thrilling novelty. Even among a filmography so sparse in drama and rich in action,Thunderboltis particularly lean, following the signature Chan formula to a T while offering some interesting variation.
Espionage comedies slowly began to become something of a thriving niche for Jackie Chan, and 1998’sWho Am I?is one of the earliest. The title is taken quite literally, as Jackie Chan plays a super spy suffering from amnesia years beforetheBourne Identityfilmswould play with the same gimmick.
Despite only being Jackie Chan’s second-ever film to be shot in English, his endearing charm is as potent as ever here. The mystery of Chan’s character trying to piece together his true identity is coupled with some surprisingly shocking plot twists that keep the unpredictability amazingly high the entire time.
The earlier parts of Jackie Chan’s career are truly a gold mine for hidden gems, especially his first major collaboration with Yuen Woo-ping ofThe MatrixandCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonfame. Chan is Chien Fu, a simple janitor working at a local martial arts school who sets out to prove his bullies wrong by becoming the master of the formidable snake style.
The film could be owed a lot for solidifying the efficacy of putting Jackie Chan in the shoes of a relatable everyman hero, which makes his victories taste all the sweeter. With some breathtaking fight choreography and poignant plot to boot,Snake in the Eagle’s Shadowdeserves so much more for what it did for Chan’s career.
4Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu
Pure Martial Arts Comedy Bliss
1978 was a very busy year for Jackie Chan’s formative years, as he starred inHalf a Loaf of Kung Fuin addition toSnake in the Eagle’s Shadow.Here, Chan stars as a bumbling young man with high hopes of becoming a kung fu hero one day. His dreams are put on the fast track when he takes credit for taking down a dangerous bandit, forcing him to learn for real.
Once again, there’s something so endearing about Chan’s characters, doused in failure but striving to improve.Half a Loaf of Kung Fuhas some brilliant dramatic irony and set-up for a ominous confrontation that would later be copied in a surprising place; theDreamworks animated comedyShark Tale.
3Spiritual Kung Fu
More Grounded And Philosophical Than Most
Yet another film featuring “kung fu” in the literal title and starring Jackie Chan as a disciple of the art isSpiritual Kung Fu.This time around, Chan’s Yi-Lang is tasked with safeguarding priceless secrets contained within ancient manuscripts in a shaolin temple, only to be forced to learn the “Five Style Fists” from spectral masters to fend off a thief.
For a campy martial arts film featuring Jackie Chan learning techniques from literal ghosts,Spiritual Kung Fuis astoundingly groundedand accurate to the deep philosophical core behind the practice of kung fu. Balancing outrageous supernatural elements with such deft waxing poetic is a feat only Jackie Chan could walk away from.
2Rob-B-Hood
Sees Chan At His Bumbling Best
It’s rare that Jackie Chan plays a more morally gray character, let alone a villain, butRob-B-Hoodexplores the fun of putting his comedic antics on the wrong side of the law. Chan plays Tongs, a bumbling third of a criminal trio alongside his comrades, Octopus and the Landlord. After kidnapping a baby, the former two find themselves on the run from cops and triads alike.
Rob-B-Hoodcan be credited with the classic trope of giving Chan precious items to safeguard, such as babies or delicate priceless vases, to safeguard in the middle of combat, makingJackie Chan’s funny fightseven more hilarious. Seeing him as a crook with good intentions is also a perfect fit, making it all the more a shame thatRob-B-Hoodis so unknown.
1Shinjuku Incident
A Daring Immigrant’s Tale With Real Stakes
Just because Jackie Chan rarely makes straightforward dramas doesn’t mean he shouldn’t, and 2009’sShinjuku Incidentis the best of his rare handful of serious films. The story follows Steelhead, a Chinese immigrant in Japan trying to make an honest living who is drawn into a bloody turf war alongside his fellow union laborers.
Shinjuku Incidentshould be rewarded for its subtle and honest take on the immigrant experience in Asian countries, making a remarkable amount of graceful commentary. For aJackie Chanfilm, it’s hard to beat the level of earnestness and vulnerability his character exhibits here, even if the action isn’t the main selling point for once.
