Customer Reviews

Jet Li: A Biography

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found this book to be basically well written and a good overview of the career of Jet Li. While not as in-depth as a reader could wish, career highlights are covered and each of his films discussed briefly, including box office success, Jet's views on each and a run down of critical reaction.

The author has a tendency to snipe in his narrative which is highly unfortunate and which is completely at odds with Jet Li's personality and philosophy as described. An example: he claims (regarding Li's turn as a villain in Lethal Weapon 4) "unlike such peers as Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat, Li had no qualms about playing a screen villain for the first time". Jackie has based his career in action/comedy playing "average joe types" to great success--if it ain't broke don't fix it! More mystifying is using Chow Yun Fat in this example as Chow HAS played "villains" frequently in his Hong Kong films--as often playing a triad gangster or hitman as he does a cop or straightforward, stereoptypical hero. That his "villains" are not stereotypical, but are complex and conflicted makes this breezy comparison odd and seems to reveal the ignorance of the author about any other HK stars than his current subject. They are also jarring and not particularly relevant.

Jet Li, a gracious, spiritual man would certainly not approve of this type of cheap shot. Likewise Parish's insistence that Chan and Chow are somehow Li's "rivals" is strange. Chan has long since carved out his unique comedy niche, Jet Li is forming his own as a martial artist cum action star--and Chow Yun-Fat (who will cheerfully tell you he is NOT a martial artist, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon notwithstanding,) holds the distinction of being the first Asian star who has broken into Hollywood on the strength of his acting alone. Different strengths, different men, none better than the other.

While this may seem a minor point and isn't belabored by the text, it creates a subliminally contentious picture that can only serve to mislead the casual reader.

Otherwise this is a slick volume which can serve to introduce the casual fan to the life of a fascinating and talented man. Hopefully it will inspire neophytes to Asian cinema to explore more of the literature devoted to HK cinema in general, and its crossover stars in particular. Once so directed, they can then form their own opinions about all the parties in question.

I found this book to be basically well written and a good overview of the career of Jet Li. While not as in-depth as a reader could wish, career highlights are covered and each of his films discussed briefly, including box office success, Jet's views on each and a run down of critical reaction.

The author has a tendency to snipe in his narrative which is highly unfortunate and which is completely at odds with Jet Li's personality and philosophy as described. An example: he claims (regarding Li's turn as a villain in Lethal Weapon 4) "unlike such peers as Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat, Li had no qualms about playing a screen villain for the first time". Jackie has based his career in action/comedy playing "average joe types" to great success--if it ain't broke don't fix it! More mystifying is using Chow Yun Fat in this example as Chow HAS played "villains" frequently in his Hong Kong films--as often playing a triad gangster or hitman as he does a cop or straightforward, stereoptypical hero. That his "villains" are not stereotypical, but are complex and conflicted makes this breezy comparison odd and seems to reveal the ignorance of the author about any other HK stars than his current subject. They are also jarring and not particularly relevant.

Jet Li, a gracious, spiritual man would certainly not approve of this type of cheap shot. Likewise Parish's insistence that Chan and Chow are somehow Li's "rivals" is strange. Chan has long since carved out his unique comedy niche, Jet Li is forming his own as a martial artist ... action star--and Chow Yun-Fat (who will cheerfully tell you he is NOT a martial artist, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon notwithstanding,) holds the distinction of being the first Asian star who has broken into Hollywood on the strength of his acting alone. Different strengths, different men, none better than the other.

While this may seem a minor point and isn't belabored by the text, it creates a subliminally contentious picture that can only serve to mislead the casual reader.

Otherwise this is a slick volume which can serve to introduce the casual fan to the life of a fascinating and talented man. Hopefully it will inspire neophytes to Asian cinema to explore more of the literature devoted to HK cinema in general, and its crossover stars in particular. Once so directed, they can then form their own opinions about all the parties in question.

This biography offers an indepth look at Jet Li's life. We see a humble little chinese boy from a poor family who through rigorous wushu training transforms from a martial artist into an action movie star. We also get an overview of his films and situations that lead up to him filming them. The book even manages to reveal personal things about this famous yet somewhat shy man. The only part I did not enjoy was when it implied some sort of rivalry between Jet Li and fellow martial artist turn movie star and friend Jackie Chan. Based on commnents from Mr. Li on his official website Jackie Chan is a friend of his and they socialize regularly. However overall this is a good book to buy if you want to learn more about this amazing man.

This is a fascinating look at, not just an action star, but at the prolific Chinese and Hong Kong film industries. Through the life of Jet Li, we see his rise through this colorful industry. There is also a fascinating look at his boyhood in a China dominated by Mae Zedong. Even if you are not a martial arts movie fan, this is an enjoyable book. It is very well researched, including a background on Wushu, the form of martial arts practiced by Jet Li. There are many excellent photos and a complete filmograghy. So read the book, then hit the video store and see some movies that are often overlooked or relegated to the b-movie bins.

Oh, man. How can this book get such good reviews? If you are already a Jet Li fan and have been going on his websites and checking out bios on the internet from his official site and the Jet Lee Homepage, then this book will mean absolutely nothing to you. The main focus of the book is one review of his movies after another. And it always has to give away all the plot twists and endings of the movies, leaving the movies dreadfully boring to watch, except for the fight scenes which no one can ignore. Good thing I watched all his movies before reading this book. If you watched maybe one of his movies and you like him, then you could get this book to decide which of his movies to watch next, but the info on JET LI in this book could be condensed to about 5 pages.

With his Jet Li biography, James Robert Parish provides his readers with another interesting and insightful book about film. Parish's sympathetic, informative and entertaining narrative traces Li's life from his days as a martial arts student to his success in Hong Kong action flicks and finally Hollywood stardom. If you're interested in Chinese and Hong Kong films, or in action films in general -- or if you're just a fan of good film writing, this is your book.

I am from Hong Kong, I know the movies of Jet Li very well. This book contains accurate information. I witness the change of style of Jet Li's movies like Once upon of time in China and Fist of Legend. This book does a good job of explaining the career of Jet Li.

The book will satisfy the demand of Jet Li's fans.

A solid biography of Li up to the year 2002. ("The Shaolin Temple" to "The One")
It is the best bio on Li written so far...it is probably the only one so far.
Author James Robert Parish chronicles the ups and downs of Li's personal life and film career, giving plot synopsis and a behind the scenes looks at how the film projects came about and were recieved by the public. The book is an easy read and provides an interesting look at Li's life and film career from his youth in Beijing to his big break in Hollywood. Bios written about people who are still active become dated quickly. This book will just have to do for another 15 years or so when, hopefuly, more detailed and complete bios can be written about Li's life.

Recommended for huge Jet Li fans and huge fans of the kung fu film genre.

James Robert Parish's Jet Li, A Biography is well-researched and engrossing. I always liked Jet Li, but never knew about him, and this book fills in a lot of blanks. For example, his devotion to his craft, his upbringing, the work he did before he came to Hollywood, and even the little-known facts about his recent films (e.g. that he was offered a major role in The Matrix but turned it down). I also liked the photos and filmography at the end. I highly recommend this book, not only to Jet Li fans, but anyone with an interest in martial arts movies and Asian culture.

James Parish gently takes all of us into the world of intense dedication by Jet Li and other Wushu artists with this book. In an age where wanna be's can be discovered being a DJ at a party and cast in a starring film role, Jet Li's life story reconfirms the ideals that hard-work, discipline and talent will be rewarded. After reading this book, I have an entirely new appreciation of Jet Li and his accomplishments. Yes, the camera loves him but he delivers action film thrills by way of art. I hope that Mr. Li reads it to see how a talented author has honored him.