Is it just me or is Jet Li a really bad actor?

MaxDSP

Lifer
May 15, 2001
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He always has the same stupid expression on his face, like he's pushing an Intellimouse out of his rear. Lethal Weapon 4, Romeo Must Die, and the upcoming The One, he has the same "hardcore-wannabe" look. Granted, he could hand me my @ss on a platter but it's gotta be said
 

Noriaki

Lifer
Jun 3, 2000
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He was in Lethal Weapon 4?

I dunno, he wasn't soo bad in Romeo Must Die, though it's not exactly a perfect 10 on the acting scale.
Though you are right, he rarely changes facial expression.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
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i don't think hes that kinda actor. hes the more kick your ass five times before you hit the ground rather than the chick flick actors
 

Chubbz

Golden Member
Oct 2, 2001
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<<He always has the same stupid expression on his face, like he's pushing an Intellimouse out of his rear. >>

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH!!! LMAO
 

CyberZenn

Senior member
Jul 10, 2001
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hes not exactly shakespearian trained, but hes a bit better actor than most other reasonably talented martial artists in the film industry.
 

MaxDSP

Lifer
May 15, 2001
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<< hes not exactly shakespearian trained, but hes a bit better actor than most other reasonably talented martial artists in the film industry. >>



Id prefer Chow Yun-Fat and Jackie Chan over him. Chow yun fat has got that serene Ill-kill-you-5-times-before-you-hit-the-floor look. Jackie chan is hilarious and he does some amazing stunts in his movies.
 

KevinH

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2000
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It's also grossly unfair to judge his acting skills based on AMERICAN movies when English is far, far from his native tongue.
 
Oct 16, 1999
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He's in movies to kick ass first and act second, and there's nothing really wrong with that. You don't have to be a 'good' actor to be entertaining. Just look Schwartzeneggar (sp?). :) Although I have to give Arnold credit, I think he has done pretty well in some of his non-asskicking roles as well.



<< Chow yun fat has got that serene Ill-kill-you-5-times-before-you-hit-the-floor look. >>



I never really though about it before, but I think you nailed that right on the head.
 

shazbot

Senior member
Jul 25, 2001
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go watch fist of legend or the once upon a time in china series. He doesn't know english, so you really can't judge him by movies in english.
 

prodigy

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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<< ..... he has the same "hardcore-wannabe" look. Granted, he could hand me my @ss on a platter but it's gotta be said >>



Guess he's not much of a "wannabe" then right?
 

RoninRXN

Golden Member
Sep 19, 2001
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I'm assuming you guys are basing your thoughts on his N. AMERICAN movies. Yes, his acting is bad because he can't speak English very well. However, if you watch him as Wong Fei Hung in Once Upon A Time In China...he's very good.

Jet Li was a tournament winner in China back in the day so his kung fu skills are incredible. I like him better than Jackie Chan. Jackie is too...funny and his recent movies (other than Rush Hour...I liked that.) have been REALLY bad. Mr. Nice Guy anyone? His early movies are the best. Heh...you guys are watching movies that came out in Hong Kong like...5-10 years ago.

Chow Yun Fat and Jet Li can't be compared. Chow Yun Fat's martial arts are all scripted by a choreographer and fast forwarded to make him look faster. He's not a martial artist...he's a gun guy. Back in the day...all of the good John Woo movies had Chow Yun Fat in them and he kicked ass. I remember this one where he walked into a house with a BAG of guns (so he doesn't have to reload...) and killed like 500 people. Sad movie though. I don't want to spoil it for the peeps who might see it.

Anyways...yeah, watch ALL of Jet Li's movies before calling him a bad actor. Is Kenneth Branaugh (sp) a bad actor because he was in Wild Wild West...<shudders...>

 

PaNsyBoy8

Golden Member
Jul 19, 2001
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yeah, its not fair to judge the guy based on american movies, his chinese roles are a lot better, and he wasn't really a trained actor either
 

yobarman

Lifer
Jan 11, 2001
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Jet Li is the man. Kiss of the Dragon is one of my favorite movies of all time. Decent acting and incredible fight scenes, and a really great movie overall.
 

Atlantean

Diamond Member
May 2, 2001
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I thought he was pretty good in romeo must die, and the one might be good, I personally think that he isn't that bad of an actor, I would like to see you act as well as him. You want to see bad acting? Go and watch Planet of the apes, or Jurassic park 3, the acting in those movies was bad
 

habib89

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
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<<Chow Yun Fat in them and he kicked ass. I remember this one where he walked into a house with a BAG of guns (so he doesn't have to reload...) and killed like 500 people>>

i believe that movie was the killer.. and it was a church, not a house.. but yes, that movie was so totally badass.. and i agree that you can't compare cyf (chow yun fat) to jet li... they're just different.. it's like comparing ben stiller to robert deniero (sp?).. both great actors... (although some of you may disagree on stiller) but you can't compare them... also if you're gonna go watch cyf, watch the killer, and "a better tomorrow" that was a fantastic movie as well... as for jet li, watch fist of legends and beijing bodyguard (the defender in america) those are so kickass...
 

777php

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2001
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I loved Wong Fei Hung, that has got to be my favorite Jet Li movie. I also liked Fong Sai Yuk, kick @$$!
 

DerProfi

Senior member
Jan 11, 2001
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hehe, Jackie Chan is like Lawrence freakin' Olivier compared to Jet Li. Great fighter, though. Give him time and I'm sure his English skills will improve.
 

Josh3D

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Dec 7, 2000
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<< You don't have to be a 'good' actor to be entertaining. Just look Schwartzeneggar (sp?). >>



Arnolds acting in T1 was widely praised, he didn't say much but he made the character look real, that is what really matters.

I think most Jet-Li movies are just boring, the fight scenes are ok most of the time, but the time between them i am just watching bad acting and waiting for something to happen, just like in pornos...
 

DerProfi

Senior member
Jan 11, 2001
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the time between them i am just watching bad acting and waiting for something to happen, just like in pornos...

You hit the nail on the head there! LOL...
 

bcterps

Platinum Member
Aug 31, 2000
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<<

<< You don't have to be a 'good' actor to be entertaining. Just look Schwartzeneggar (sp?). >>



Arnolds acting in T1 was widely praised, he didn't say much but he made the character look real, that is what really matters.

I think most Jet-Li movies are just boring, the fight scenes are ok most of the time, but the time between them i am just watching bad acting and waiting for something to happen, just like in pornos...
>>



Obviously you haven't seen very man Jet Li movies. Watch Fong Sai Yuk (1 is better than 2), Bodyguard from Beijing, Once Upon a Time in China and then make a decision. Oh, and you have to watch them in Chinese, or else it aint worth it.

--Ben