Chan VS Keaton

Chan vs. Keaton

Buster Keaton is revered for his style of comedy performed in the early 1900’s. His slapstick comedy work became popular with the rise of silent film. He is often compared to his colleague Charlie Chaplin who is equally affiliated with the rise of silent era comedy. However, Chaplin and Keaton have different and distinct styles. Chaplin is often portrayed as clumsy lower class fool who was subject to the hardships of the world but always managed an escape from his current predicament only to land himself in another. Keaton was better known for his acrobatics and physical abilities while on camera. Because they are also many similarities between these two they are often compared. However, how often is a 20th century action hero compared to the great Buster Keaton? Believe it or not Jackie Chan, known for his martial arts and lighthearted action adventures, reveres Keaton as a fundamental influence in his work. 

As shown in the video above, Chan recreates Keaton scenes as a tribute to the actor. Chan also pays homage to other early comedic actors such as Harold Loyd and Chaplin but remains most heavily impacted by Keaton. Chan is now described as “the Buster Keaton of kung-fu” (spill.com) because of his obedience to Keaton’s style of filmmaking. Often ending in whacky over the top conclusions much like Keaton’s films, Chan’s work has become a way for younger audiences to appreciate and learn film history, whether they are aware of it or not. This approach also makes Chan’s work more appealing to older audiences ensuring that his films have mass appeal and even respect for his predecessors.

There are also personal similarities between these two actors. In this day and age Chan is capable of almost anything in his films. Chan is well known for his control and direction while on set. Chan is much more than an actor; in fact he is also a director, writer, producer, and stuntman (IMDB). It is rare to see this level of control in Hollywood yet Chan often fulfills many rolls on a single production much in the same way as Chaplin and Keaton. Chan’s appreciation for his predecessors has allowed him to create a successful form of action comedy that is appreciated by audiences everywhere.