Actor Jackie Chan has had a long and memorable career that he doesn't want to end. Aside from being an actor, Chan has done almost everything in the entertainment industry. He is not only an actor but also a producer, film director and singer.
One must also not forget that he is one of the most famous martial artists and stunt artists of his generation. Chan started making films in Hong Kong and later became a household name in the United States. But which films are among his top ten? Let's take a look at the best American films by Jackie Chan.
Skiptrace (2016): 5.7
This film has an unlikely partnership. The buddy cop action film Skiptrace starred Chan, Jackass star Johnny Knoxville and Fan Bingbing. There's a lot to do in this film to get the ball rolling. Chan's character, Bennie Chan, has been after a notorious crime boss for over a decade after he killed his partner.
When his former partner's daughter gets into trouble with a crime syndicate, Bennie tracks down American con man Connor Watts (Knoxville). One small problem: he was kidnapped after witnessing a murder.
Rush Hour 3 (2007): 6.2
Sometimes sequel films don't work as well as the original. “Rush Hour 3” continued the action-packed cop adventures of Carter (Chris Tucker) and Lee (Jackie Chan). This time they travel around the world to France after Han is attacked at the World Criminal Court.
Carter and Lee must discover the whereabouts of Shy Shen, a list of top Triad leaders believed to be a myth. The film performed well, but received mixed reviews, expressing that the change of scenery could not compensate for the repetitive plot.
Shanghai Knights (2003): 6.2
“Shanghai Knights” is one of those movies that people vaguely remember when they were younger. Of course, if Jackie Chan is involved, martial arts would also be involved. Alongside Owen Wilson, Chan once again faces a dangerous threat.
Chon Wang (Chan) left his life behind and became sheriff. When his father is murdered for the Imperial Seal of China, Chan receives a box and a message from his sister, who tracks down the murderer. Wang reunites with his former partner Roy O'Bannon (Wilson) to avenge his father and retrieve the Imperial Seal.
The Karate Kid (2010): 6.2
The Karate Kid franchise became a classic with the innovative story of a young boy who is taught martial arts in order to defend himself and compete in a tournament. In 2010, the film was rebooted, starring Jackie Chan as Mr. Han and Jaden Smith as Dre Parker.
This time the story takes place in China, where Dre is forced to leave his life behind. Considered a foreigner, Dre is bullied by local bullies and befriends the janitor, Mr. Han. With his newly acquired martial arts skills, Dre enters a tournament to overcome his fears.
Rush Hour 2 (2001): 6.6
Compared to the original film, “Rush Hour 2” doesn’t fall far behind in the rankings. Rush Hour 2 is one of the rare occasions where the sequel did well. With a budget of just $90 million, the film grossed over $347 million at the box office.
Carter and Lee are at it again. Carter visits Lee for a vacation in Hong Kong and is tricked by Lee into investigating Ricky Tan after an explosion at the US Consulate. They discover that Tan and an accomplice are laundering millions of superbills through a popular casino. Lee learns the truth about his father's death.
Shanghai Then (2000): 6.6
Shanghai Noon was a fun movie to watch when you were younger or just wanted a relaxing movie on a Friday. Night. The year is 1881 and Chinese Princess Pei-Pei (Lucy Liu) is kidnapped. The Emperor of China sends his Imperial Guard, including Chon Wang (Chan), to their rescue.
Things don't go as planned, that never happens, and Wang meets Roy O'Bannon (Wilson), who tried to hijack her train. They form an unlikely partnership and travel to Carson City to find the princess. Unbeknownst to them, the princess planned to be kidnapped to avoid marriage and was then tricked by a traitor to the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008): 6.6
Combine Jet Lee and Jackie Chan in one film and you get an action-packed martial arts spectacle. However, fans and audiences didn't particularly like the filler scenes between the intense fights. In South Boston, Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano) is a big martial arts fan and often visits a pawn shop in Chinatown.
One day the owner is killed and asks Jason to give a golden staff to the rightful owner. He is then transported to ancient China, where he meets a drunken martial artist named Lu Yan (Chan). Together with a monk (Lee), they must return the staff to the Monkey King and save China from an evil warlord.
Rush Hour (1998): 7.0
It's no surprise that Rush Hour is one of Jackie Chan's most popular American films. The film was a hit sensation that earned Chan a cult following and mass stardom. Critics said the chemistry between Tucker and Chan created an effective comedy duo. Fans also praised Chan's immense martial arts skills.
One also can't help but praise Chan for doing all of his own stunts, no matter how dangerous they may be. Detective Carter and Detective Lee take on Juntao's (Tom Wilkinson) crime syndicate when they kidnap the Chinese consul's daughter for ransom.
The Foreigner (2017): 7.0
“The Foreigner” is heartbreaking and full of action scenes that only Jackie Chan can pull off. Chan's character, Ngoc Minh Quan, is different from his usual typecasting. This film is full of sadness, action and revenge.
Quan owns a Chinese restaurant in London with his business partner Lam (Liu Tao). When Quan's daughter is killed in a bombing at a clothing store, he seeks revenge and searches for those responsible. Grief-stricken, Quan uses any means necessary to get the information he needs, even using excessive force and explosives. He is looking for corruption and justice for his daughter. “Never push a good man too far.”
Kung Fu Panda (2008): 7.1
Jackie Chan's number one film is the animated film Kung Fu Panda. The film starred a number of well-known actors including Angelina Jolie, Jack Black and Seth Rogan, to name a few. Chan voiced the role of Master Monkey from The Furious Five.
The computer-animated wuxia comedy is set in ancient China. The story revolves around an energetic panda named Po (Black), a kung fu enthusiast but lacks the necessary skills. Po is said to be part of a prophecy and become a “dragon warrior”. He will help defeat an evil kung fu warrior alongside the Furious Five.
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