There are still a number of Jet Li films that
I have yet to see which will explain their absence from this list. All
of the Once Upon a Time films or the Fong Sai Yuk films for a starter.
I will certainly see them in the future. Many people in fact list some
of those as his very best, but even so the ones listed below certainly
showcase his amazing speed, agility and incredible body control along with
his wonderful boyish charm.
An excellent overview of Jet's career by Trish
Maunder can be located here
on
the Internet
-
My Father is a Hero - my favorite acting
performance from Jet Li who as an undercover cop has to pretend even to
his wife and child that he is a criminal. Some terrific action sequences
as he goes up against Yu Rong Guang with the assistance of Anita Mui and
Tze Miu.
-
Swordsman II - Jet Li and Brigitte Lin
fight and play with each other across an incredible brightly colored canvass
of a film that never fails to amaze.
-
Tai Chi Master - the film has some down
time, but the action scenes - though wired to the hilt - are terrific as
Jet and Michelle Yeoh take on an entire army of warriors.
-
Kung Fu Cult Master - another fantasy almost
drug induced film with Jet Li having some stunningly imaginative
wire action sequences.
-
New Legend of Shaolin - here Jet
Li teams up with Chingmy and Tze Miu to fight off the villains in this
entertaining though at times quite silly film.
-
Black Mask - stylish, futuristic film with
Jet Li as a humble super hero fighting to save HK.
-
High Risk - Jet Li races through this over
the top Die Hard type film with great ease and humor. Many people seem
to have disdain for this film, but it's never stop to get your breath pace
was great fun for me.
-
Fist of Legend - the fight choreography
in this film is simply stunning - so pure so clean so graceful. And the
action is set against the background of a fascinating period of history.
This is a must see film.
-
Shaolin Temple - this is the first film
that Jet did in 1982 and though it is a very traditional kung-fu film it
very much showcases his wonderful abilities. There is very little wire
work and Jet utilizes nothing but raw talent.
YTSL’s additional picks
Once Upon a Time in China I
- This powerful offering packs a punch in the action and dramatic departments,
and Jet Li’s portrayal of the patriotic -- but not necessarily anti-Western
-- Wong Fei Hung lies right at the heart of it.
Once Upon a Time in China II
- The first sequel to OUATIC I features more action than the first film
of the series (to take advantage of Jet Li’s Master Wong having not one
but two worthy opponents in the form of characters played by Donnie Yen
and Xiong Xin Xin), and thus may well be the most loved by fight fiends
of this series of Tsui Hark productions.
Once Upon a Time in China III
- A “must see” movie for those who are lion dance enthusiasts, this work
also has much to offer those (others) who appreciate Jet Li’s martial artistic
moves and/or boyish charm.
Fong Sai Yuk -
No one who sees this often light-hearted feeling kung fu film -- that also
has its share of dramatically emotional moments -- will ever accuse Jet
Li of being incapable of looking anything other than angry or stone-faced.
Hitman - Seemingly
disliked by many Jet Li fans (in part because its headlined star has to
share a substantial amount of screen time with other actors, notably Eric
Tsang), the sole Hong Kong production in which Jet’s real voice can be
heard is nevertheless one that I enjoyed viewing (in large part because
it has this physically cute guy showing an attractive gentler side to his
character than usual).