Jackie Chan

-In I am Jackie Chan, Chan tells the fascinating, harrowing, ultimately triumphant story of his life: How the rebellious son of refugees in tumultuous 1950s Hong Kong became the disciplined disciple of a Chinese Opera Master. How the paradise that young Jackie so eagerly embraced proved to be, in reality, a ruthlessly competitive place whose fierce master wielded the legal authority to train his students even to death. How the dying art of Chinese opera led Jackie to the movie business- and show more how he made the leap from stuntman to superstar. How his broke into Hollywood big time by breaking almost every bone in his body. Finally, after year of plunging off skyscrapers and living to tell the tale, Jackie Chan proves – the this witty, poignant, and often astounding memoir- that it’s always been a tale worth telling. Seeing the Hong Kong movie industry from one of its founding sons is interesting. The insight into Jackie’s home life and opera school is also enjoyable. Chan keeps the chapters short so to better frame each memory and it is enjoyable to get a non-Hollywood account of the pictures, studios, etc. Chan picks and chooses moments to talk about, as is the way with autobiographies and it doesn’t always match up to accounts given by some fans from Asia. Every event is presented as to how it impacted him alone and even moments in which he presents negative aspects do not seem to bring much shame. Interesting with lots of background on his movies but with a little too much self-promotion. Still, one cannot deny his chops as a martial artists, stuntman or director and he does make entertaining movies. Just not books. show less

From his humble beginings as the son of a cook and a cleaner all the way to his current 'superstar' status - with everything between. This is an honest and often moving account of Jackie Chan's life; detailing his harsh upbringing, his struggle to reach the top, his joys and his regrets.

This book has given me a new insight on a man I have admired since my early childhood. "I am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action" also includes Jackie's comments about every film he has made, lists of his show more favourite stunts and fights and details of the injuries he has sustained as the result of his unique "The more terrified my friends and family are, the more satisfied my fans will be" stunt directing formula, that has had fans gasping for breath for over two decades.

The book begins with Jackie about to plunge 250 feet down the side of a skyscraper (the main stunt in Jackie's recent film 'Who Am I?'). As he prepares to jump, his life flashes before his eyes and it's another 315 pages before he actually jumps. For me, the book really begins when Jackie is packed of to Opera School by his parents; little Jackie thinks he's in for a great time but when his parents sign a form permitting the Opera School Master to 'discipline the boy, even to death' you can't help feeling rather worried for him. I won't go into any real detail about his time in the opera school, as you really should read the book to find out more but I will say that the way he (and the other children at the school) was treated will almost certainly shock you. Eventually, to get some time outside of the school (and to earn some money), Jackie starts to work as a stuntman, performing dangerous stunts that others won't risk and never admitting it hurts. His stunt performing soon makes him a sought after stuntman and work comes flooding in, he progresses to a stunt coordinator and an actor and after a lot of blood, sweat and certainly some tears, he has become successful and wealthy.

This is not the end of the story; he loses almost everything by gambling it away and moves back with his parents (in Australia) and works on a building site (plus some other jobs) and works his way back up to where he is now. 'How does he do this?' I hear you ask - read the book to find out! No fan should be without this, but I also recommend it to people who are not fans simply because it is a very moving and heart felt story of a remarkable man. When I got this book I literally did not put it down until I'd finished; it took me a whole day to read but it was worth every minute (and every hour). This book was written by Jackie Chan and translated into english by Jeff Yang. show less

As English isn't Jackie's native language, he enlisted Jeff Yang to help him into print. Good call, as Yang gives this book structure and a novel-like readability. But it's not the typical ghostwritten "autobiography." Jackie's trademark sense of humor is all over this; at times it even resembles some of his movies. Dwells heavily on his childhood spent in the relentlessly demanding opera academy, providing a fascinating picture of an institution that has pretty much vanished. A thoroughly show more engrossing rags-to-riches story with which no Jackie Chan fan can go wrong. show less

This review and others posted over at my blog.

I’ve always been a big fan of his films and he strikes me as someone who is genuinely friendly and caring – based on his book, I was right! You might think, “Well, of course, someone isn’t going to make themselves seem like an ass in their book.” But Jackie does admit when he was a jerk growing up and is very open about his past and current faults. So, I’m still right. He’s definitely a celebrity I’d enjoy meeting.

Jackie certainly show more had a rough upbringing. He grew up in China and when it became clear he wasn’t putting any effort into his schooling, his parents offered him the opportunity to attend a boarding school, the China Drama Academy. To do so, his parents needed to sign a contract for three, five, seven or ten years. They gave young Jackie (I think he was six or seven) the option to choose how long he wanted to stay and when he replied with “Forever!” his parents signed the ten-year contract. From that point on Jackie was the property of the master at the school – he writes that the master could have beaten him to death and gotten away with it. I can’t imagine experiencing a situation like that.

The CDA taught Jackie many of his moves though, and is what eventually lead him into a career in the movies. It was certainly an experience which could have broken and defeated someone, but Jackie’s always had an attitude geared towards success. It shows! Jackie also puts a lot of value on character and general outlook.

“Your life is decided by your character and the decisions you make in the moment.”

He takes filmmaking and action scenes very seriously. I didn’t know there was such a thing as a movement director and I learned a bit about what they do and Jackie’s commitment to both working with, and being, a good one. He also believes Hollywood should be recognizing more categories with their awards including Best Action Film, Best Movement Director, Best Male and Female Action Actors – I agree!

It shows throughout the book that Jackie’s beginnings made him want to work hard and work with others who work hard. He seems like a very supportive person when it comes to his stunt teams and co-stars. He’s always willing to give other actors or stunt people a chance to challenge themselves and push to get a better shot if they’re willing. He definitely pushes himself to the limit when it comes to getting the perfect shot.

“Whenever I hire a young ambitious person, it makes me think back to my early days and how I used to wish someone would give me a chance. If people hadn’t given me a helping hand, I don’t think I would have made it. Now I’m in a position to help others, and I give as much of a leg up as I can to young people who have really impressed me with their talent and attitude.”

His movies might seem cheesy to some (ok, some of them are cheesy, but in the best way), but I’ve always appreciated his skill and the lightheartedness of most of his films. After reading this book I understand that he’s been building a brand for himself and that he strives in many of his films to keep things light and positive.

“No matter what, I like films that bring people joy, the kind that sends you out of the theater with a smile on your face. Modern society is frustrating enough; there’s no need for more negativity in the cinema.”

It’s hard to review someone’s life. Who am I to judge their experiences and upbringing? But I do think Jackie has a great outlook on life and this was a pleasant book to read, despite the hardships Jackie has been through and the mistakes he’s made. I think the memoir comes off as authentic and even though he had assistance writing it and I’m reading a translated version, it still feels genuine to what I know of his character through his films.

I’ll end with this quote:

“When I realize that I might be doing the wrong thing, I’m glad to be called out, and I change. I’m also grateful to the people who praise me. Having people in my corner inspires me to work harder, and gives me the energy to try to be better in every way.”

I recommend this book for:

+ Fans of Jackie Chan
+ Fans of memoirs/autobiographies
+ Those of you who want to become Jackie Chan fans show less