Laz
Making dumb observations since 2002
WHO IS THE GREATEST?
Arnold Schwarzenegger vs. Jackie Chan
It's finally come down to this. The greatest action hero of the West versus the greatest of the East. The man who defined what an action hero was versus the man who redefined Hong Kong cinema to a global audience.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947, in the village of Thal, Styria, in the nation of Austria. As a young man, Arnold was subjected to physical and mental abuse by his father, a police chief and former Nazi officer (though one not involved in the actual atrocities). He was an average student, but one who stood out in class for being cheerful and humorous. At 14, he began pursuing bodybuilding as a hobby, and decided at 15 to make it a career, winning his first Mr. Universe title at the age of 20 and going on to win the Mr. Olympia title a record 7 times (1970-1975, 1980). After his natural charisma shone through in the documentary Pumping Iron Hollywood came calling, first casting him in the exploitation flick Hercules in New York. His breakthrough success would come in 1982's Conan the Barbarian, followed soon after by the role that would define his career: James Cameron's 1984 classic The Terminator.
Following a meeting with Joel Silver, who was impressed by his natural charisma that was unlike his screen presence up to that point, Arnold was cast as the lead in Commando, a film and role that went on to define the American action hero. After that, he continued his acting career until the 2003 California recall election, where he became the first Austrian-born Governor of the state, serving until 2011, after which he returned to cinema.
SUGGESTED VIEWING: The Terminator (1984), Commando (1985), Predator (1987), The Running Man (1987), Total Recall (1990), Kindergarten Cop (1990), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991), True Lies (1994)
---
Jackie Chan, born Chang Kong-sang, came into this world on April 7, 1954, to refugees from the Chinese Civil War. His parents served the French Ambassador during Jackie's early years, nicknaming him Pao-Pao ("cannonball") for his propensity to roll around. At the age of 6, Jackie was enrolled in a Peking Opera boarding school, an academy focused on teaching the elements of Peking Opera (a Chinese artform that combines acrobatics, singing, acting, dancing, and mime), where he, along with many other future Hong Kong cinema stars, learned martial arts and stunt work, as well as faced corporal punishment for misdeeds.
By his late teens, Chan became part of the elite Seven Little Fortunes troupe, taking the stage name Yuen Lo in honor of his master, Yu Jim-Yuen. During his time with the Fortunes, Chan became close friends with fellow performers Sammo Hung and Yuen Bo, going on to form the Three Brothers (alias Three Dragons) group with them. It was alongside Sammo Hung that Chan trained in hapkido under the tutelage of grand master Jin Pal Kim, eventually attaining a black belt in the style. Along the way, Chan also studied Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, and Jeet Kune Do.
Chan's early film career (ad the lead) saw filmmakers desperate for him to become the next Bruce Lee, casting him in similar stoic roles that undermined his natural charm and personality. It was not until 1978's Snake in the Eagle's Shadow where Chan was allowed to display his trademark humor by adding physical comedy into his fight choreography, a practice that continued with Drunken Master that same year. Soon, Chan (and his stunt team) became the go-to of the style, crafting memorable action scenes in the Police Story franchise. It was 1995's Rumble in the Bronx that cemented Chan's global superstardom, filled with his trademark blend of humor, insane stunt work (that he performed himself, to various levels of injury), and charismatic performances. By 1998, his back catalogue of films had achieved true Western cult status, paving the way for the immense success of his greatest Western franchise, pairing with comedic actor Chris Tucker in Rush Hour.
SUGGESTED VIEWING: Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978), Drunken Master (1978), Police Story (1985), The Protector (1985), Supercop (1993), Rumble in the Bronx (1995), Rush Hour (1998)
Arnold Schwarzenegger vs. Jackie Chan
It's finally come down to this. The greatest action hero of the West versus the greatest of the East. The man who defined what an action hero was versus the man who redefined Hong Kong cinema to a global audience.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947, in the village of Thal, Styria, in the nation of Austria. As a young man, Arnold was subjected to physical and mental abuse by his father, a police chief and former Nazi officer (though one not involved in the actual atrocities). He was an average student, but one who stood out in class for being cheerful and humorous. At 14, he began pursuing bodybuilding as a hobby, and decided at 15 to make it a career, winning his first Mr. Universe title at the age of 20 and going on to win the Mr. Olympia title a record 7 times (1970-1975, 1980). After his natural charisma shone through in the documentary Pumping Iron Hollywood came calling, first casting him in the exploitation flick Hercules in New York. His breakthrough success would come in 1982's Conan the Barbarian, followed soon after by the role that would define his career: James Cameron's 1984 classic The Terminator.
Following a meeting with Joel Silver, who was impressed by his natural charisma that was unlike his screen presence up to that point, Arnold was cast as the lead in Commando, a film and role that went on to define the American action hero. After that, he continued his acting career until the 2003 California recall election, where he became the first Austrian-born Governor of the state, serving until 2011, after which he returned to cinema.
SUGGESTED VIEWING: The Terminator (1984), Commando (1985), Predator (1987), The Running Man (1987), Total Recall (1990), Kindergarten Cop (1990), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991), True Lies (1994)
---
Jackie Chan, born Chang Kong-sang, came into this world on April 7, 1954, to refugees from the Chinese Civil War. His parents served the French Ambassador during Jackie's early years, nicknaming him Pao-Pao ("cannonball") for his propensity to roll around. At the age of 6, Jackie was enrolled in a Peking Opera boarding school, an academy focused on teaching the elements of Peking Opera (a Chinese artform that combines acrobatics, singing, acting, dancing, and mime), where he, along with many other future Hong Kong cinema stars, learned martial arts and stunt work, as well as faced corporal punishment for misdeeds.
By his late teens, Chan became part of the elite Seven Little Fortunes troupe, taking the stage name Yuen Lo in honor of his master, Yu Jim-Yuen. During his time with the Fortunes, Chan became close friends with fellow performers Sammo Hung and Yuen Bo, going on to form the Three Brothers (alias Three Dragons) group with them. It was alongside Sammo Hung that Chan trained in hapkido under the tutelage of grand master Jin Pal Kim, eventually attaining a black belt in the style. Along the way, Chan also studied Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, and Jeet Kune Do.
Chan's early film career (ad the lead) saw filmmakers desperate for him to become the next Bruce Lee, casting him in similar stoic roles that undermined his natural charm and personality. It was not until 1978's Snake in the Eagle's Shadow where Chan was allowed to display his trademark humor by adding physical comedy into his fight choreography, a practice that continued with Drunken Master that same year. Soon, Chan (and his stunt team) became the go-to of the style, crafting memorable action scenes in the Police Story franchise. It was 1995's Rumble in the Bronx that cemented Chan's global superstardom, filled with his trademark blend of humor, insane stunt work (that he performed himself, to various levels of injury), and charismatic performances. By 1998, his back catalogue of films had achieved true Western cult status, paving the way for the immense success of his greatest Western franchise, pairing with comedic actor Chris Tucker in Rush Hour.
SUGGESTED VIEWING: Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978), Drunken Master (1978), Police Story (1985), The Protector (1985), Supercop (1993), Rumble in the Bronx (1995), Rush Hour (1998)