Donnie Yen. Cool or fool? the debate

[Charlie Parker]

For all his onscreen self love and undercranked moments of action I dig Mr Yen. The proof of his pudding for me is his turn as a villain in outicII. He does have acting chops but he is awful at comedy. Man, he's made so many films! What're everyone elses views?

[Yama]

COOL (apart from the break dancing doll scene in Drunken Tai Chi.... And his characters a bit of a div in In The Line Of Duty 4)

[Drunken Master]

I've never been a huge fan of Donnie Yen, especially his 90's output, but I have to admit that he does make some pretty good films now. His output of the last ten years has been pretty consistant. I just don't like the way he insists (or at least used to) on all that obvious undercranking in his action scenes. The guy obviously has the talent for action and the Ip Man films prove he can act a bit also. I guess I've mellowed on the older Yenster.

I'd have to say a Fool who is becoming Cool.

[econdor]

I was fortunate enough to meet him back in the 90's and have nothing but respect for the guy, he was humble and quite frankly fuckin awesome

[ASaroch]

I like Donnie Yen, though I does seem that every film at the moment has him in. I think that shows the dearth of action stars who have that screen presence, although there's a revival in the genre.
'Drunken Tai Chi' was a brilliant debut!

[Phil]

I'm with DM on this one. I used to think he was a bit of a poser and he churned out quite a few mediocre cop movies during the 90s. He has definitely improved in recent years though and his performances in 'Ip Man' and 'Bodyguards & Assassins' were a big step up.

[Jubilee]

Donnie's alright, his recent films like Ip Man and B&A have sure given him a chance to be something more than the poser he was during the late 80's/early 90's... but y'know, as much as I appreciate his skill as a screen fighter and his choreography, in interviews in both chinese and english, he does still come across as bit of an arrogant p%$k.

[Charlie Parker]

If anyone wants a laugh youtube the last fight of Chen Zhen to see the ultimate shirt removal and torso flex we've seen yet.

[Drunken Master]

Don't knock it! Taking off the shirt always helps in a fight. Bruce Lee taught us that many years ago. If ever I'm pushed into action, the shirt is always the first thing to go. Sod to taking a whooping because my torso is restricted . It's just a shame my pecks are not in the Yenster's league.

[Charlie Parker]

haha it's so cheesy and cool, especially when he raises his fist when he's getting up and the music goes RUMPA PUMP PUMP!