Introduction
The film industry of every country assumes particular limitations and obstacles, including financial issues, language barriers, cultural aspects, and others. For this reason, a significant number of countries produce movies only for their inner audience. Among crucial examples, one can name Bollywood or the cinematography in India. However, there are extremely rare cases when particular actors achieve international recognition and are anticipated by audiences worldwide.
This research paper will consider the influence on the world stage of such an international movie star, Jackie Chan. His life achievements and unusual approach to depicting martial arts in his movies with the combination of humor are incredible examples of significant talent. Jackie Chan impacted and still influences various action films worldwide not only due to his extraordinary fighting talents but also because of his unusual life perception and wittiness.
The Recognition of Jackie Chan’s Talent in Award Events
When considering Chan’s impact on world culture and the film industry, it is crucial to consider his achievements and recognition at many award events. Particularly, many famous Hollywood actors made speeches honoring Chan’s talent while presenting the awards. Among them, it is important to state Vin Diesel, who was presenting the Academy Award to Jackie. According to MotiveFaz (2023), “I am here because Jackie Chan is a talent that came to Hollywood and did not make it the first time. I mean it with all my heart, and I mean it with so much pride. Jackie Chan, the world is a better place because of you.” (00.00.01). It is a direct example of the love and anticipation that not only the audience but also professional actors have for Jackie Chan.
Years after, Jackie Chan’s dream came true, and he received his first Oscar Award for life achievements. To make a statement before the awarding, a legendary American actor, Tom Hanks, said a few words in honor of Chan. Noteworthy is that at the 2016 Governors Awards, Tom Hanks called him “Jackie, the Chantastic Chan” (JC Channel, 2016, 00.02.48).
On the same evening, while presenting a Lifetime Achievements Oscars award from the Academy, another actor, Chris Tucker, expressed extreme gratitude and pride to Chan (Oscars, 2016). As a video by Oscars (2016) states, Chris Tucker said, “Working with a leaving legend was amazing.” (00.00.10). Notably, Tacker was a film partner of Jackie Chan in such movies as Rush Hour 1,2,3 and 4. This collaboration of two actors is a unique example of how American and Chinese talents can create an unforgettable and humorous atmosphere in the movie.
The Influence of the Martial Arts on Movies
Chan is famous primarily for his roles in action movies. The exciting fact is that he prefers to participate in other genres. According to Netflix Is a Joke (2017), “all those years there were Hong-Kong Police, China’s police… Can I have something like a La-La Land, something different?” (00.02.15). Nevertheless, he continues to have an extraordinary influence on current action films.
A significant example of Jackie Chan’s recent influence on the newest Hollywood movies is the film Bullet Train, starring Brad Pitt and David Leitch. In the interview with these two actors, they express how Chan impacted their views regarding filmmaking and martial arts in movies. Particularly, they stated that Chan’s approach to combining humor and authenticity with martial arts and fighting in movies is an extraordinary issue. Therefore, when creating the movie, they implemented many techniques and methods to make their fighting scenes not only effective but also funny (Rotten Tomatoes, 2022). It is a great example of how not only Jackie Chan’s talent but also his life perception and willingness to find a positive aspect, even in dramatic episodes, have impacted the entire cinema world, including Hollywood.
Hollywood Superstars and Jackie Chan
Among other genres of movies that were impacted significantly by Jackie Chan’s art are American classic thrillers and action movies. For example, Jackie Chan has many great friendly relationships with such American superstars as Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jason Statham. One can find many pictures of them together at many events and happenings. However, while assessing the talents and abilities of the actors who participate in action movies, the significant factor should be highlighted.
It is that Jackie Chan is one of the most anticipated actors in the American film industry. The confirmation of this fact is in the willingness of the audience to see this actor in the popular action film The Expendables (Shaffer & HQ, 2020). Particularly, these movies attracted a significant number of talented movie stars, including Jan Cloud Van Dam, Steve Austin, Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Statham, and others. However, despite such concentration of talents, there was much gossip and talk among fans about Jackie Chan’s participation in future sequels of this action film (Shaffer and HQ, 2020). This case also stresses the outstanding extend of influence that Chan had on the world stage of cinematography and culture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is vital to highlight the long way that Jackie Chan came to become an international movie star. Nowadays, his talent and martial arts skills are acknowledged by the entire world. Famous actors such as Tom Hanks, Vin Diesel, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and others express their deepest gratitude and pride to this Chinese actor. Notably, he impacted not only the way fighting is presented in films but also influenced the entire movie industry due to his extraordinary humor, perception of life, and sincerity.
Reference List
JC Channel. (2016) Tom Hanks honors Jackie Chan at the 2016 Governors Awards. Web.
MotiveFaz. (2023) Vin Diesel talks about Jackie Chan. Web.
Netflix Is a Joke. (2017) Jackie Chan (Full Interview) | Chelsea | Netflix. Web.
Oscars. (2016) Chris Tucker honors Jackie Chan at the 2016 Governors Awards. Web.
Rotten Tomatoes. (2022) The Bullet Train Stars on Unique Characters and the Influence of Jackie Chan. Web.
Shaffer, J. and HQ, W. (2020) Who Is Jackie Chan? United States: Penguin Young Readers Group.