The Young Person's Guide to Jackie Chan
March 5, 2009 5:29 PM Subscribe
Help me find some age-appropriate Jackie Chan content for the world's most awesome 7-year-old boy.
My son has somehow, I guess through osmosis from his dad, decided that Jackie Chan is the coolest guy in the world. I do have some Chan DVDs, but none of them are at all age appropriate.
I'm a lifelong fan of his Golden Harvest stuff, like "Police Story" - more akin to Buster Keaton and Fred Astaire than Vin Diesel. Truly awesome stuff. And I think my boy has somehow got a whiff of this infectious action stuff, the wide-eyed and good-natured stuff that only Chan can do that well.
So, I'm looking for a couple of things ... an age-appropriate Jackie Chan action movie for a seven-year-old. I'm not sure such a thing exists, frankly, as they all delve into some more violent stuff that I'd rather him not see. Like me, I think my boy is more interested in the acrobatics and superhuman agility stuff (his Chan phase is coming hot on the heels of a superhero phase, so I really believe he has somehow latched onto the idea that Chan is a "real-life superhero who can actually fly").
Failing that, maybe some great Chan clips on YouTube that emphasize his balletic incredibleness and de-emphasize the gunplay and bonecrushing?
My son has somehow, I guess through osmosis from his dad, decided that Jackie Chan is the coolest guy in the world. I do have some Chan DVDs, but none of them are at all age appropriate.
I'm a lifelong fan of his Golden Harvest stuff, like "Police Story" - more akin to Buster Keaton and Fred Astaire than Vin Diesel. Truly awesome stuff. And I think my boy has somehow got a whiff of this infectious action stuff, the wide-eyed and good-natured stuff that only Chan can do that well.
So, I'm looking for a couple of things ... an age-appropriate Jackie Chan action movie for a seven-year-old. I'm not sure such a thing exists, frankly, as they all delve into some more violent stuff that I'd rather him not see. Like me, I think my boy is more interested in the acrobatics and superhuman agility stuff (his Chan phase is coming hot on the heels of a superhero phase, so I really believe he has somehow latched onto the idea that Chan is a "real-life superhero who can actually fly").
Failing that, maybe some great Chan clips on YouTube that emphasize his balletic incredibleness and de-emphasize the gunplay and bonecrushing?
Is fighting that doesn't involve blood OK for your son?
If so, I remember Rumble in the Bronx, Armour of God, and Who Am I? being relatively light on the intense violence.
posted by ignignokt at 5:38 PM on March 5, 2009
If so, I remember Rumble in the Bronx, Armour of God, and Who Am I? being relatively light on the intense violence.
posted by ignignokt at 5:38 PM on March 5, 2009
His "autobiography", "I Am Jackie Chan" was brilliant and very G-rated. You could read him bits of it if he has the attention span for it.
In between now the death of this thread, I'll try to track down some appropriate clips, although violence and Jackie Chan are tough to divorce.
posted by christhelongtimelurker at 5:43 PM on March 5, 2009
In between now the death of this thread, I'll try to track down some appropriate clips, although violence and Jackie Chan are tough to divorce.
posted by christhelongtimelurker at 5:43 PM on March 5, 2009
Response by poster: Is fighting that doesn't involve blood OK for your son?
I think it's more that I'm looking for JC stuff that doesn't involve so much fighting. There's a scene in Police Story where he runs up toward a fence, jumps up, puts both feet forward, and flies over it. Like it was nothing. Sheer amazing grace.
Fighting and karate chops and gunplay - that stuff's all fine, but Jackie does stuff that transcends that, and that's what I think my boy is after. The superhero stuff. That's what I'm looking for.
posted by jbickers at 5:45 PM on March 5, 2009
I think it's more that I'm looking for JC stuff that doesn't involve so much fighting. There's a scene in Police Story where he runs up toward a fence, jumps up, puts both feet forward, and flies over it. Like it was nothing. Sheer amazing grace.
Fighting and karate chops and gunplay - that stuff's all fine, but Jackie does stuff that transcends that, and that's what I think my boy is after. The superhero stuff. That's what I'm looking for.
posted by jbickers at 5:45 PM on March 5, 2009
Best answer: how about his 10 best stunts evar ? and a blooper reel :)
posted by lizbunny at 5:47 PM on March 5, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by lizbunny at 5:47 PM on March 5, 2009 [2 favorites]
My brother loved "Shanghai Noon" and "Shanghai Knights," both starring Jackie Chan, when he was about that age. I think they're age appropriate, even if they aren't the best movies ever made. (Note: there is "comic violence" in both films but nothing particularly serious.)
posted by cimton at 5:47 PM on March 5, 2009
posted by cimton at 5:47 PM on March 5, 2009
Actually I should mention there is child abuse(corporal punishment) in "I am Jackie Chan". But I liked the book all the same? I don't endorse child abuse or violence but I think Jackie Chan is a really friendly guy and a great entertainer.
posted by christhelongtimelurker at 5:51 PM on March 5, 2009
posted by christhelongtimelurker at 5:51 PM on March 5, 2009
Jackie Chan's kung-fu movies always seemed much more g-rated than anyone else in the genre. I think that was one of his hallmarks. But you could probably find a movie website like imdb without too much trouble that will tell you exactly what the parental guidance situations are in the movie. Aside from jackie chan you should youtube ninja warrior, sasuke, or more to the point Makoto Nagano for some real-life super hero stunts.
posted by GleepGlop at 6:23 PM on March 5, 2009
posted by GleepGlop at 6:23 PM on March 5, 2009
2nding Shanghai Noon/Knights. They're pretty silly flicks.
posted by gnutron at 6:24 PM on March 5, 2009
posted by gnutron at 6:24 PM on March 5, 2009
Eh... quick glance at IMDB for him... the problem is most Kung fu movies are PG13... So either he needs some serious supervision for the movies or he's got to wait. Most early 90s/pre 90s kung fu really starts to get into an uncomfortable are with how women are portrayed and what is done to them... Jacky chan is definitely not in the same ballpark as Bruce Lee or Sonny Chiba when it comes to objectifying women, incorporating rape into the plot, or forcing parents into an uncomfortable conversation, but you will still find that stuff in his earlier films. However, if you look at his US crossover films, they are much much tamer.
The Forbidden Kingdom - neat kids movie. PG Rated.
Kung Fu Panda - voice actor, PG Rated
Around the world in 80 Days - disaster of a film, but definitely PG/G rated.
The Medalion - PG13 a little violent
The Tuxedo - PG13 sorta cheesy
Shanghai Noon - PG13 owen wilson is the bigger issue
Shanghai Knights - PG13 owen wilsion is the bigger issue
Twin Dragons - PG13 sorta cheesy
Honestly though, I'd be looking at adding Sidekicks (that's right baby Chuck Norris), The Karate Kid I, II, III, the next Karate Kid, TMNT, TMNT II, TMNT III, 3 Ninjas, 3 Ninjas Kickback, etc...
But, if you can think of Hong Kong Cinema in the same light as Anglocised Arthurian Legend where you would let a 7 year old watch Excalibur and learn in great detail about Mordred's oedipal relationship with his mother, the infidelity of Lancelot, the bastardization of Galahad, and a whole slough of other situational issues... well then, you might want to consider some more hisotrical stories... That means, Once Upon a Time in China I,II,III, Drunken Master, The Legend of Drunken Master, Iron Monkey, etc... I should note that most of those movies include reference to Wong Fei Hung - a real life chinese folkhero.
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:29 PM on March 5, 2009
The Forbidden Kingdom - neat kids movie. PG Rated.
Kung Fu Panda - voice actor, PG Rated
Around the world in 80 Days - disaster of a film, but definitely PG/G rated.
The Medalion - PG13 a little violent
The Tuxedo - PG13 sorta cheesy
Shanghai Noon - PG13 owen wilson is the bigger issue
Shanghai Knights - PG13 owen wilsion is the bigger issue
Twin Dragons - PG13 sorta cheesy
Honestly though, I'd be looking at adding Sidekicks (that's right baby Chuck Norris), The Karate Kid I, II, III, the next Karate Kid, TMNT, TMNT II, TMNT III, 3 Ninjas, 3 Ninjas Kickback, etc...
But, if you can think of Hong Kong Cinema in the same light as Anglocised Arthurian Legend where you would let a 7 year old watch Excalibur and learn in great detail about Mordred's oedipal relationship with his mother, the infidelity of Lancelot, the bastardization of Galahad, and a whole slough of other situational issues... well then, you might want to consider some more hisotrical stories... That means, Once Upon a Time in China I,II,III, Drunken Master, The Legend of Drunken Master, Iron Monkey, etc... I should note that most of those movies include reference to Wong Fei Hung - a real life chinese folkhero.
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:29 PM on March 5, 2009
A lot his earlier stuff is G-rated (well, PG-13 due to martial arts violence but otherwise OK), and is classic kungfu & comedy, such as Young Master, which is absolutely amazing.
posted by jpeacock at 6:32 PM on March 5, 2009
posted by jpeacock at 6:32 PM on March 5, 2009
I've been reading about Jackie Chan for an hour and a half now and you've chosen a great role model, based on what I've read. He's as nice and successful a person as you can expect outside of the corporate world.
posted by christhelongtimelurker at 7:14 PM on March 5, 2009
posted by christhelongtimelurker at 7:14 PM on March 5, 2009
"The Big Brawl" (1980) gets a bad rap but it's actually not a bad film and it's rated PG. It was his first attempt at making a Hollywood film and deserves another look.
"Dragon Lord" (1982) is another film that didn't fare well critically but I think its a lot of fun.
posted by cazoo at 8:19 PM on March 5, 2009
"Dragon Lord" (1982) is another film that didn't fare well critically but I think its a lot of fun.
posted by cazoo at 8:19 PM on March 5, 2009
Before Jackie Chan mad it big in the west he was part of a Hong Kong troupe of actors that pumped out litterally hundreds of cheesy, comedy/action films for decades. The censors are far more restrictive for the Chinese market so these films are very tame by today's standards.
posted by Pollomacho at 5:05 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by Pollomacho at 5:05 AM on March 6, 2009
Is fighting that doesn't involve blood OK for your son?
If so, I remember Rumble in the Bronx, Armour of God, and Who Am I? being relatively light on the intense violence.
posted by ignignokt at 8:38 PM on March 5 [+] [!]
Doesn't a guy get fed into a wood-chipper in Rumble in the Bronx?
I've always said that being relatively light on the intense violence was one of my best traits.
posted by Who_Am_I at 8:27 AM on March 6, 2009
If so, I remember Rumble in the Bronx, Armour of God, and Who Am I? being relatively light on the intense violence.
posted by ignignokt at 8:38 PM on March 5 [+] [!]
Doesn't a guy get fed into a wood-chipper in Rumble in the Bronx?
I've always said that being relatively light on the intense violence was one of my best traits.
posted by Who_Am_I at 8:27 AM on March 6, 2009
Response by poster: posted by Who_Am_I at 11:27 AM on March 6 [mark as best answer] [+] [!]
Gotta ask ... eponysterical or coincidence?
posted by jbickers at 10:53 AM on March 6, 2009
Gotta ask ... eponysterical or coincidence?
posted by jbickers at 10:53 AM on March 6, 2009
Well, at age seven my son and I saw Rumble in the Bronx, and the kid was convinced for years thereafter that Jackie Chan was a fucking god. He remained convinced of that fact until the Rush Hour series came out. Now, he's just meh about JC.
posted by msali at 11:08 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by msali at 11:08 AM on March 6, 2009
Try also searching YouTube for parkour.
posted by attercoppe at 11:15 AM on March 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by attercoppe at 11:15 AM on March 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
« Older Know any screenwriters trying to write the next... | Please help me make the Grecian Marble cocktail. Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jbickers at 5:31 PM on March 5, 2009