He Doesn’t Want Any Trouble: Why Jackie Chan is the Master of Action Comedy

Anyone who has seen a Jackie Chan film (and if you haven’t, stop reading this and get tickets to DRUNKEN MASTER at AFS Jan. 11 – 14 ) has experienced his gift for splitting sides while he’s splitting skulls. And while his choreography and physical humor looks effortless, they’re actually the result of painstaking planning and sometimes hundreds of takes. Like the great physical comedians Keaton, Chaplin and Lloyd, Chan is a perfectionist who bends the laws of physics for a laugh, all while dodging feet, fists, and the occasional forklift. Take 10 minutes to watch the excellent video essay series Every Frame A Painting break down just what makes Jackie Chan unparalleled among action auteurs.