Jameson's Movies

Jackie Chan's greatest stunts

Martial art masterpieces

Posted: 09 July 2008, 04:07

Jackie Chan's lastest move Forbidden Kingdom is out now in cinemas. In honour of the Flying Finn... Hang on, he isn't Finnish. In honour of the Hurling Hong Konger... That doesn't work either. In honour of Kung-Fu's most enduring and endearing star, we've gathered up six of his best ever stunts.

Drunken Master 2 – Hot Coals

This epic fight scene from Chan's 1994 classic has been widely hailed as one of the finest fight scenes Hong Kong cinema has to offer- which is no small accolade. The whole scene is worth savouring (this was when all the Buster Keaton comparisons really started flowing in), but at one point, he hurls himself onto a bed of flaming coals. For real. For ages. For your entertainment.

First strike - Mouintain chase

This Bond-esque chase in the snow is a fine scene by any standard- but watch out for the climax. Chan flies over the cliff edge, grabs onto a hovering helicopter, and then… Frankly, it defies language. Just watch for yourself, and thank the lord that Chan is there to be chased over cliff edges so you don't have to.

Armour of God - Hot air balloon madness

Leaving aside the fairly dodgy, sub-Indiana Jones mine sequence in the first half of this clip, this has to be one of the more insane things a human being has ever done. Sky-diving onto a hot air balloon? In any rational world, a terrible mistake. In Jackie Chan's world, it's another day at the office.

Police story 3/Supercop - Helicopter dangle

In this classic moment, Chan is given an aerial tour of Kuala Lumpur. While dangling from a ladder, itself dangling in turn from a soaring helicopter. Hell, you can even throw a mosque at him, and he still doesn't let go.

Operation Condor – The essence of Chan

While this classic clip may lack a single knockout moment, it's a perfect summation of all that made Jackie Chan who he is today. Breathtaking agility looking easy? Check. Fantastic use of props to bounce off, around, and through? Check. Throwaway moments where he has really put himself in great danger? Check. Glorious subtitles, too.

The Accidental spy - Tanker tumble

This clip builds up momentum, moving from a breakneck car chase to a cracking tussle to the point where Chan realises he is trapped in an out-of-control tanker truck. With a bridge coming up. The solution? Simple. Hurl himself out of the cabin at the last minute, swinging from some netting under the bridge while the tanker explodes beneath him. Then fall down a hill for good measure.

What do you think?