Jackie Chan: Martial Artist or Dancer?

The article I have linked is from http://www.ejumpcut.org/, where there are many interesting critical essays that don't require a subscription. The author Aaron Anderson looks at choreographed scenes of violence as dance. Combat is something that is natural and is difficult to fake. Anderson emphasizes the work of martial arts filmmaker and actor Jackie Chan. Chan's films are particularly entertaining because of the high level of stylization he puts into each fight scene. Anderson states,

"I have been a practicing martial artist, stage and film fight director, and certified teacher of staged combat for a number of years, and Chan’s fight sequences are (almost universally) regarded among my colleagues as among the best in the business."

There are two reasons why Jackie is the best. First of all he practices each movement of each scene as many times as he needs to until he can put it all together perfectly, exactly like a ballerina would do for a ballet. The second factor is that nearly all of his stunts are real. The reality of Jackie Chan's action scenes is what makes his movies what they are.