# what is the quintessential jackie chan movie? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 31, 2006, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561 "2006-10-31T11:48:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/1 "2006-10-31T11:48:27Z")
I’ve heard from know-hows that jackie Chan was at his absolute peak in the 1980’s. I’ve only seen stuff of his from the past decade or so, but I think he’s still highly capable of very entertaining martial arts choreography, in spite of being around fifty years old. But what movie should I see if I really want to see Jackie Chan at his finest hour? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/2 "2006-10-31T12:05:44Z")
_Drunken Master 2_. No contest. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/3 "2006-10-31T12:35:12Z")
I like RUMBLE IN THE BRONX … if for no other reason, the fight on the garage rooftop is brilliant, especially the truck full of beach balls… ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/4 "2006-10-31T13:45:55Z")
will second Drunken Master 2, Rumble in the Bronx is a close second…Who Am I takes third. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/5 "2006-10-31T13:59:59Z")
Drunken Master 2 is a real sight to behold, but don’t panic – it was released in the U.S. as Legend of Drunken Master. (The first one ain’t bad either.) ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/6 "2006-10-31T14:15:32Z")
For martial arts, I would concur with **Drunken Master 2**. For action, either **Project A** or **Police Story 3** (aka **Supercop** ). **Rumble in the Bronx** is good, but not in the same league as those two. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/7 "2006-10-31T14:34:52Z")
Way to get a guy’s hopes up and then crush them. Drunken Master 2? I thought. I loved the first one, and I can’t imagine the sequel being better. Then it was brought to my attention that Drunken Master 2 is the same Legend of Drunken Master that I own. At any rate, yes it is a great movie. ---
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/8 "2006-10-31T14:44:16Z")
**Rumble in the Bronx**? That is definitely after the decline set in. For Jackie at his peak, you have to look at the films that he directed in Hong Kong. **Project A** or **Police Story** , and there is really no contest. What unbelievable things does he do in **Drunken Master 2**? Scramble across red-hot coals on his hands and feet? I scoff. Compare that to falling off the clock tower and landing on his head in **Project A** , or sliding down the lighting fixture in **Police Story**. You have to see them to believe them. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/9 "2006-10-31T14:49:32Z")
I have a soft spot for City Hunter. Especially the one scene in the arcade. It’s not the best _movie_, that’s Drunken Master II, but it definately showcases his comedic side. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/10 "2006-10-31T15:28:42Z")
The first movie I saw was Rumble in the Bronx which I thought was quite enjoyable. The next movie I saw was Supercop which I also thought was quite enjoyable. Honestly, after those two movies I haven’t been able to enjoy a Jackie Chan movie because I get the feeling that I’ve already seen it. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate his hard work and impressive stunts, but it’s all the same thing over and over. Marc ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/11 "2006-10-31T15:55:35Z")
[QUOTE=Reno Nevada] **Rumble in the Bronx**? That is definitely after the decline set in. For Jackie at his peak, you have to look at the films that he directed in Hong Kong. **Project A** or **Police Story** , and there is really no contest. What unbelievable things does he do in **Drunken Master 2**? Scramble across red-hot coals on his hands and feet? I scoff. Compare that to falling off the clock tower and landing on his head in **Project A** , or sliding down the lighting fixture in **Police Story**. You have to see them to believe them. [/QUOTE] If you see Jackie mainly as a stunt man, then yeah, the films you noted are better. But if you see him mainly as a physical comedian in the Buster Keaton/Charlie chaplin vein then _Drunken Master 2_ is his best film, simply because it’s his funniest. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/12 "2006-10-31T16:11:35Z")
[QUOTE=Alessan] But if you see him mainly as a physical comedian in the Buster Keaton/Charlie chaplin vein then _Drunken Master 2_ is his best film, simply because it’s his funniest. [/QUOTE] And yet **Project A** contains a very obvious and deliberate homage to Harold Lloyd. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Bongo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a9adbd/32.png) [@Winston\_Bongo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Bongo)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/13 "2006-10-31T16:12:53Z")
**Who Am I** has always been my favorite, because of the sheer creativity in the action sequences – it’s full of memorable settings, choreography, and stunts. It’s the only Jackie Chan movie I’ve bothered to watch more than once. Of course, \*\*Drunken Master \*\* is great, too. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2006, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/14 "2006-10-31T16:27:36Z")
another thought that occured to me… **The Big Brawl** … while certianly not his best film (for many, many reasons) it is the first one I remember watching as a teen… there are 4 scenes in it that are exemplory… The training scene with the cane and the tea cup, the backyard fight, the fight against the brothers, and the ally fight against the gangsters… these scenes all have the classic Chan comedy bits. I also remember that when it was released it had an R rating… funny considering todays standards. And it had **Mako** in it. **Mr. Nice Guy** is also not a bad film. So there are my top 5, in no particular order **Rumble in the Bronx Who Am I Mr. Nice Guy Drunken Master 2 The Big Brawl** I’m going to have to re-watch the Police Story films… been too long. ---
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2006, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/15 "2006-11-03T01:31:55Z")
I wanted you guys to know that I have put Drunken Master II onto my Netflix queue–in a few days I will watch it again and see what I missed the first time. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2006, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/16 "2006-11-03T02:43:18Z")
Modern “prime” Jackie Drunkenmaster 2 Who Am I Supercop Rumble in the Bronx Old-school Jackie Drunkenmaster 1 Snake in Eagle’s Shadow Project A Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2006, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/17 "2006-11-03T03:20:59Z")
_Drunken Master 2_, followed by _Supercop_. I also have a personal soft spot for _Jackie Chan’s First Strike_, mainly for the terrifying scenes on the hotel ledges high above Hong Kong. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2006, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/18 "2006-11-03T03:47:37Z")
Of those that I have seen, personally I liked [Miracles](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098019/) the best. It is “quintessential” in the sense that it is about the only Jackie Chan film I’ve seen that didn’t seem like a self-parody of a Jackie Chan film. It has a nice, cheasy story, some funny gags, some good martial arts, and some good stunts. But all at the same level, whereas any other JC film seems to just take two of those and just lay it **on**. Of course it appears that the film bombed, so what do I know… ---
**Author:** ![Mesquite-oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@Mesquite-oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mesquite-oh)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2006, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/19 "2006-11-03T06:33:57Z")
I like \*\*Drunken Master II \*\* (good fighting and funny) **Rumble in the Bronx** (a story so dumb and acting so bad it almost hurts, but it has great stunts) and I don’t believe anyone has mentioned **First Strike**. Isn’t that the one that has him in a rain slicker fighting using a step-ladder? It is like ballet, but with baddies getting their butt’s kicked. ---
**Author:** ![JCorre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3da27b/32.png) [@JCorre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JCorre)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2006, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-jackie-chan-movie/378561/20 "2006-11-03T07:27:26Z")
I’m adding another vote for **Police Story**. Nothing else comes close IMO.