worthless is an insult not only to the people who have made these films, but also to the native entertainment industry. Moreover, Jackie Chan's first widely-recognized film in the United States, Rumble in the Bronx, and his recent release The Legend of the Drunken Master, are both produced in Hong Kong, the former in the 90's and the latter in the 80's. Why would Hong Kong provide an appropriate environment then, but not any more? Or is this simply an excuse of their ego, their idea of Hollywood as the ultimate destination and their native country only as a stepping stone?

From Bruce Lee in the 70's to Jackie Chan in the 90's, Asian stars that have made it to Hollywood seem to have locked themselves in a particular film genre - action films. Jackie Chan, since Rumble in the Bronx and up to his newer releases like Shanghai Noon, has starred in roles that portray him as the good guy whose goal is to eliminate the bad guys through his martial arts stunts. Similarly, directors who have made it to Hollywood are almost exclusively action film directors such as John Woo. This phenomenon creates the biased impression that Asians can only receive audience approval when they star in action films. This phenomenon has not been invalidated until recently, when Chow Yun Fat starred in Anna and the King and proved that Asian celebrities have the ability to star in non-action films too.

While these stars all make brilliant accomplishments in Hollywood, the limited frame of action films that Asian stars typically partake in also limits the way Asians are perceived in the American media. However, the frontier is unlimited and if Asian stars in America explore different roles and genres, a redefined image associated with Asians will surely follow suit. Kung Fu masters may gradually turn into a role of the past as celebrities from overseas take on characters that more closely typify the modern Asian American. After all, how many Asians are there out there who are really full-time action heroes kicking bad guys' butts?

<~ prev