Jet Li: A hero on and off the screen
By Laura Salinger
Since his first martial arts film debut "Shaolin Temple" in 1982, Jet Li has become a household name. His film presence
often exudes a calculated fierceness and seemingly effortless execution of intricate and difficult martial arts moves. From his
lesser-known Asian films produced in the early ‘80s to his most famous films like "Hero" (2002) and "Fearless" (2006), Li has
made a name for himself as an accomplished martial artist and action-film actor.
"Following closely on Jackie Chan's well-calloused heels as one of the most dazzling physical performers of the silver
screen, Jet Li's lightning-fast moves, friendly sense of humor, and genuine concern for his fans have endeared him to a
generation of international action-film lovers as one of the most respected figures in martial arts cinema," Jason Buchanan
said for All Movie Guide (AMG).
Born in Hebei, China in 1963, Li's father died when he was just two years old. As the youngest of five siblings, Li has been
described as a "painfully honest momma's boy." Yet despite his somewhat overprotective and coddling mother, he would later
become one of action films’ biggest daredevils.
It all started when Li was recruited for wushu training when he caught the attention of some of the most notable martial arts
teachers in Beijing during a wushu class in his school. Li began studying the art of wushu (the Chinese term for martial arts) in
1971 at the tender age of eight. His primary coach, Wu Bin, served as the head coach for the Beijing Wushu Team. After
three years of intensive training and scattered competitions and performances throughout China, Li won first place in the
national "All-China Youth Championships." He soon became a celebrity and was selected to represent China in numerous
performances in over 45 countries across the globe. One of his most notable performances was for then Pres. Richard Nixon in
1974 on the lawn of the White House. The performance closely followed the United States' decision to reopen diplomatic
relations with China. From then on, Li remained a notable and much celebrated wushu artist in China. From 1974-1979, Li
remained the All-Around National Wushu Champion. At 17, when most are just getting started to find their passion, Jet Li
retired from the sport.
Following his retirement, Li was offered many starring roles and began his film career by teaming up with director Chang Hsin
Yen to star in "Shaolin Temple." It was the beginning of a formidable film presence in the East.
"Breaking into the world of film with an exciting performance in 1979’s 'Shaolin Temple,' Li's screen presence was
undeniable and ignited a boom in the kung-fu film industry during the 1980s," Buchanan (AMG) said. "Rising to remarkable
celebrity status due to his charm and unmatchable moves, Li gained fans in both the young and old, and continued to thrill
Eastern moviegoers in increasingly awe-inspiring ways."
Li crossed over to American filmmaking when he played a villain opposite Mel Gibson in "Lethal Weapon 4" (1998). He
has since starred in a number of American films including "Romeo Must Die" (2000), "Kiss the Dragon" (2001), "Hero" (2002),
"Unleashed" (2005), "Fearless" (2006), and "War" (2007). Before his release of "Hero," some feared that Li had forsaken the
very genre that first defined his fame — the martial arts genre — in favor of mainstream Hollywood. "Hero," and later
"Fearless," would revive the fanfare of his martial arts movie followers.
"Fearless" was dubbed Li's final "martial arts epic." For tireless followers of Li, the film was as exciting as it was a saddened
tribute to the end of an era. Critics and moviegoers alike awaited the film with unwavering anticipation. AMG movie reviewer
Cammila Albertson said the film had a lot to live up to, and she says, with a touch of surprise, it delivered.
"Since Fearless was hyped as Jet Li's last-ever martial arts film, it has a lot to prove from the minute the titles roll,"
Albertson said in a review of "Fearless." "Such a bold announcement might inspire cynical viewers to roll their eyes at what
would appear to be a blatant PR move, but ‘Fearless proves’ itself to be a graceful and earnest attempt at the most literally
definitive wushu film ever made.
"The end product is almost perfectly balanced, proving that even if Li's promised retirement from martial arts films was
indeed an honest attempt to leave the genre as accurately defined as possible, it was still a successful marketing tool because
as deftly as 'Fearless' accomplished Li's goal, it also leaves us hoping that someday soon he'll be inspired to come out of
retirement."
While retiring from the martial arts genre, his fans can be assured that he is not done making movies, nor is he done
executing a few more of his adept and sweeping martial arts moves. He will star in two films in 2008, "The Mummy: Tomb of
the Dragon Emperor" and "The Forbidden Kingdom," where he will come together onscreen for the first time with Jackie Chan.
Aside from making movies, Jet Li has proved to be more than just an onscreen legend. A Red Cross ambassador, Li
founded the One Foundation (The Red Cross Society of China-Jet Li One Foundation Project). The organization's main goals
are to provide prompt and effective relief to natural disaster victims and mental health services for youth. According to the
One Foundation, China is one of the leaders in damages resulting from natural disasters. They found that, on average, 200
million Chinese are affected by natural disasters each year. Likewise, mental health issues among youth in China, and across
the globe, is a far-reaching problem with less overt, but equally disastrous consequences. The motto of the One Foundation is:
One person + one dollar + one month = one big family. The idea is that if everyone donates a dollar a month, each single
dollar will transform into a huge fund that will benefit the global community.
From on-screen prowess to global activism, Jet Li has awed varying audiences with both his martial arts abilities and his
compassion. His adept, almost super-human physical abilities are equally matched by his efforts to improve life for those in
China and across the globe.
Since his first martial arts film debut "Shaolin Temple" in 1982, Jet Li has become a household name. His film presence
often exudes a calculated fierceness and seemingly effortless execution of intricate and difficult martial arts moves. From his
lesser-known Asian films produced in the early ‘80s to his most famous films like "Hero" (2002) and "Fearless" (2006), Li has
made a name for himself as an accomplished martial artist and action-film actor.
"Following closely on Jackie Chan's well-calloused heels as one of the most dazzling physical performers of the silver
screen, Jet Li's lightning-fast moves, friendly sense of humor, and genuine concern for his fans have endeared him to a
generation of international action-film lovers as one of the most respected figures in martial arts cinema," Jason Buchanan
said for All Movie Guide (AMG).
Born in Hebei, China in 1963, Li's father died when he was just two years old. As the youngest of five siblings, Li has been
described as a "painfully honest momma's boy." Yet despite his somewhat overprotective and coddling mother, he would later
become one of action films’ biggest daredevils.
It all started when Li was recruited for wushu training when he caught the attention of some of the most notable martial arts
teachers in Beijing during a wushu class in his school. Li began studying the art of wushu (the Chinese term for martial arts) in
1971 at the tender age of eight. His primary coach, Wu Bin, served as the head coach for the Beijing Wushu Team. After
three years of intensive training and scattered competitions and performances throughout China, Li won first place in the
national "All-China Youth Championships." He soon became a celebrity and was selected to represent China in numerous
performances in over 45 countries across the globe. One of his most notable performances was for then Pres. Richard Nixon in
1974 on the lawn of the White House. The performance closely followed the United States' decision to reopen diplomatic
relations with China. From then on, Li remained a notable and much celebrated wushu artist in China. From 1974-1979, Li
remained the All-Around National Wushu Champion. At 17, when most are just getting started to find their passion, Jet Li
retired from the sport.
Following his retirement, Li was offered many starring roles and began his film career by teaming up with director Chang Hsin
Yen to star in "Shaolin Temple." It was the beginning of a formidable film presence in the East.
"Breaking into the world of film with an exciting performance in 1979’s 'Shaolin Temple,' Li's screen presence was
undeniable and ignited a boom in the kung-fu film industry during the 1980s," Buchanan (AMG) said. "Rising to remarkable
celebrity status due to his charm and unmatchable moves, Li gained fans in both the young and old, and continued to thrill
Eastern moviegoers in increasingly awe-inspiring ways."
Li crossed over to American filmmaking when he played a villain opposite Mel Gibson in "Lethal Weapon 4" (1998). He
has since starred in a number of American films including "Romeo Must Die" (2000), "Kiss the Dragon" (2001), "Hero" (2002),
"Unleashed" (2005), "Fearless" (2006), and "War" (2007). Before his release of "Hero," some feared that Li had forsaken the
very genre that first defined his fame — the martial arts genre — in favor of mainstream Hollywood. "Hero," and later
"Fearless," would revive the fanfare of his martial arts movie followers.
"Fearless" was dubbed Li's final "martial arts epic." For tireless followers of Li, the film was as exciting as it was a saddened
tribute to the end of an era. Critics and moviegoers alike awaited the film with unwavering anticipation. AMG movie reviewer
Cammila Albertson said the film had a lot to live up to, and she says, with a touch of surprise, it delivered.
"Since Fearless was hyped as Jet Li's last-ever martial arts film, it has a lot to prove from the minute the titles roll,"
Albertson said in a review of "Fearless." "Such a bold announcement might inspire cynical viewers to roll their eyes at what
would appear to be a blatant PR move, but ‘Fearless proves’ itself to be a graceful and earnest attempt at the most literally
definitive wushu film ever made.
"The end product is almost perfectly balanced, proving that even if Li's promised retirement from martial arts films was
indeed an honest attempt to leave the genre as accurately defined as possible, it was still a successful marketing tool because
as deftly as 'Fearless' accomplished Li's goal, it also leaves us hoping that someday soon he'll be inspired to come out of
retirement."
While retiring from the martial arts genre, his fans can be assured that he is not done making movies, nor is he done
executing a few more of his adept and sweeping martial arts moves. He will star in two films in 2008, "The Mummy: Tomb of
the Dragon Emperor" and "The Forbidden Kingdom," where he will come together onscreen for the first time with Jackie Chan.
Aside from making movies, Jet Li has proved to be more than just an onscreen legend. A Red Cross ambassador, Li
founded the One Foundation (The Red Cross Society of China-Jet Li One Foundation Project). The organization's main goals
are to provide prompt and effective relief to natural disaster victims and mental health services for youth. According to the
One Foundation, China is one of the leaders in damages resulting from natural disasters. They found that, on average, 200
million Chinese are affected by natural disasters each year. Likewise, mental health issues among youth in China, and across
the globe, is a far-reaching problem with less overt, but equally disastrous consequences. The motto of the One Foundation is:
One person + one dollar + one month = one big family. The idea is that if everyone donates a dollar a month, each single
dollar will transform into a huge fund that will benefit the global community.
From on-screen prowess to global activism, Jet Li has awed varying audiences with both his martial arts abilities and his
compassion. His adept, almost super-human physical abilities are equally matched by his efforts to improve life for those in
China and across the globe.
| Laura Salinger |