Everybody loves Jackie Chan – if that’s not a universal truth, it’s close enough to one to make no difference. However, the martial arts superstar is not without his controversies, which are delved into in the new documentary, Jackie Chan: Building an Icon. The film manages the impressive balancing act of lauding the comedic kung fu exponent’s considerable filmic and physical achievements while acknowledging both his hard partying at the height of his fame and his recent unrelenting support of the Chinese Communist Party (indeed, if anyone doesn’t love Jackie, it’s probably pro-democracy activists in his native Hong Kong).
But we are not beholden to balance here! We adore Jackie Chan for the insanely talented, suicidally brave, frequently hospitalised absolute champion that he is. Shall we count the ways?
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