Action man
By Liu Wei (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-14 09:07
 |
Large Medium Small |
The master in action
Yuen Woo-ping may be the best person to comment on today's top kungfu actors, because most of them rose to fame in films he choreographed.
Jackie Chan, for example, became a star after appearing in two of Yuen's works, Drunken Master and Eagles Shadow in 1978, when the kungfu comedy genre was new.
Jet Li cooperated with Yuen in the Huang Feihong series. The biopics of the martial artist are still the favorite Li films for many of his fans.
Donnie Yen, now the most highly regarded kungfu actor, started his career in Yuen's kungfu films.
"Every successful kungfu actor has his or her own characteristics, otherwise they cannot stand out," Yuen says.
Here is how they look in Yuen's eyes:
Jackie Chan
"He is agile and swift. He does extremely dangerous moves himself. However high it is he dares to jump. He is fearless."
Jet Li
"He has the style of an ancient master. His kungfu has both stunning beauty and power ... We often played Chinese chess. Most of the time I won. I would still win giving up two horses. But speaking of kungfu, of course, he wins."
Donnie Yen
"He should be a superstar. He has dazzling skills, especially the leg moves. His modern kungfu films look gorgeous.
"He has experience and really good kungfu. He should become more famous."
Michelle Yeoh
"She learned dancing for many years before she became an actress, so she has harmonious and elegant moves. The foundation is there. She still fights beautifully."