The Genius of Jackie Chan

When it comes to action movies that make you laugh as much as wince, there’s really only one name worth mentioning: Jackie Chan. For nearly four decades, Chan has risked life and limb to make some of the greatest — and funniest — action movies of all time. In the latest edition of his brilliant “Every Frame a Painting” series, Tony Zhou breaks down various Jackie Chan films (e.g., Drunken Master 2, Police Story, Wheels on Meals) to discover just what makes Chan’s blend of action and comedy so unique and enjoyable.

Zhou’s comparison of the editing in Chan’s Chinese films to that in his American films is particularly fascinating — and further proof that when it comes to action filmmaking, American directors have some catching up to do. Via