early jackie chan films

[steve_cole1]

which of the early jackie chan films are any good (pre drunken master )?

[bkasten]

which of the early jackie chan films are any good (pre drunken master )?

Snake in the Eagle's Shadow came before DM, and is arguably better. But other than some exceptions, it's mostly relative degrees of bad. Dragonfist, Snake and Crane, and Fearless Hyena #1 are the probably the least bad (the first and last, respectively, have the incredible Yan Shi-Kwan as the bad guy which is always a good thing). Unless you are a big fan, avoid "Half a Loaf" and "Little Tiger." "Spiritual" and "Bodyguards" both have some good moments and nice group fights. Tian Jun is at his best in these two. Look for Bruce Leung and his phenonmenal kicking in "Bodyguards". "Meteors" has JC as a bad guy who has to lose at the end to Wang Yu. "Intrigue", although far from greatness, may be the sleeper of the bunch. "Hand of Death" is worth looking at once. "New Fist of Fury" is nice just to see Nora Miao (arguably looking her very best). "Wooden Men" has a moment or two and is the only JC film (other than Little Tiger) before the eye surgery where he plays the lead role. Hope that helps. These are all average to well-below-average movies for the day, in most respects (including the action), but are quite revealing of JC's screen charisma and should be seen (once).

[BreBruce]

"Snake In The Eagles Shadow", "Shaolin Wooden Men", and "Spiritual Kung Fu".

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

"Snake in the Eagle's Shadow" is good (and a must watch), but in no way better than "Drunken Master". "Fearless Hyena" is actually after "Drunken Master." "Young Tiger" (aka Police Woman) is absolutely horrific (but greatest mole ever), but Jackie did get acting lessons from Chin (and even was a bodyguard for his wedding.)

I like "Half a Loaf of Kung Fu" better than "Spiritual Kung Fu" (though I do not feel it is as bad as Jackie says it is.) On this site I have decent length reviews of "New Fist of Fury", "Dragon Fist", "Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin" so I won't repeat anything here (and yes I am trying to get people to read them ).

"Killer Meteors" is interesting in the fact of Jackie being bad and Wang Yu having two arms (you know the old adage ). "Hand of Death" is acollaboration of Sammo, Jackie and directed by John Woo. I liked it. "Shaolin Wooden Men" is OK (this is after New Fist of Fury, so Jackie still has not had eye surgery for that film either), Jackie is mute through much of the film and my Columbia copy leaves much to be desired.

NOTE: I haven't been able to find "Magnificent Bodyguards" or "To Kill with Intrigue." There are also a few other roles we have not mentioned but they are even more esoteric and difficult to find (well at least for me).

[evirei]

I think shows like The Young Master, Armour Of God, Project A, Heart Of Dragon,Winners & Sinners ( with a touch of comedy) is cool~

[TangLung]

Little Tiger From Canton or Master With Cracked Fingers is O.K, even though Jackie is replaced with a double for the scenes with Simon Yuen Siu-tien and the final fight sequences

[illuzionmod]

Bodyguards and Dragon Strike I really like Hyena 1&2 arent bad at all either. For some reason I remember that two Jackie Chan movies using the same scenes wich I thought was weird. Its the scene where hes wandering around in a swamp collecting various animals for a stew...he sticks a snake down his pants you know random stuff like that. I think its from half a loaf and spiritual Kung Fu something like that

I got a double DVD a few years ago that had a movie that was called Fantasy Mission force easily one of the lamest movies I have ever seen.Supposedly jackie is supposed to be in it but for the life of me dont know if thats true. Rumble in Hong Kong where he plays a bad guy also sucks... A decent pre DM2 is of course DM 1. But thats just my humble opinion as a Jackie fan.

[Bearserk]

You don't like Fantasy Mission Force I love that movie, it got it all, Nazi's riding on top of american cars from the 60-70s, allthough the movies is supposed to be during the second world war, lots of fighting, beautiful amazon women which can run on water, great humor, dagger throwing striptease competition and to top it all of hopping vampires, whats not to like

Oh, well maybe it's an acquired taste, I really need to rewatch this gem again soon.

And yes Jackie Chan have a nice role in the movie.

[MrBooth]

I seem to recall Jackie doing a song & dance routine in Fantasy Mission Force!

[illuzionmod]

Fantasy Mission Force really...heh I guess Ill have to pop it in and force myself to watch it all the way through because to be honest I only watched half an hour of it and when I couldnt see Jackie anywhere I thought I got ripped off.

[Bearserk]

Jackie pops up around the 13 min mark, at least in the crappy old VHS version I got, where he is one of the contestants in a prize fight.

You just have to take the movie for what it is, wacky humor where such trifle things as a plot doesn't count very much
It's pretty far from your standard Jackie Chan flick, but I love this cheap hastily assembled wacky flicks, so gather a friend or two and just sit down to have a good laugh

No Singing and dancing as far as I could see Mr Booth, maybe there are other versions out.