From Publishers Weekly
Once a fledgling Hong Kong actor and now a martial arts Hollywood superstar, Jet Li has been called the new Bruce Lee. Parish (Gus Van Sant) delves into the 39-year-old's life and career in this biography, analyzing his films from the little-known The Shaolin Temple to blockbusters like Lethal Weapon 4 and Romeo Must Die. Li was born in Beijing with the birth name Li Lian-jie. He began studying wushu (martial arts) at age eight and still adheres closely to traditional Chinese customs, which dictate complete respect for the martial arts school and its master. The book includes dozens of b&w photos.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
What Bruce Lee was to kung fu, Jet Li is to wu shu. The star of Romeo Must Die and The One was born into humble surroundings as Li Lian-jie. Small for his age, he had a gift for martial arts and stayed the course in the brutal Beijing Sports and Exercise School. He was already winning major competitions by the age of 12 and by 17 would emerge as Jet Li, Action Hero, in Chinese film. But he did not become widely known to Western audiences until he starred opposite Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon IV. Parish, the author of several books on Hollywood, does a good job of chronicling Li's early career but does not reveal much about his private life. Yet as with books on Bruce Lee, there is a big audience for this type of well-illustrated title (it includes 30 color and black-and-white photographs, never before published), especially among YAs.
Rosellen Brewer, Monterey Cty. Free Libs., Salinas, CA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Rosellen Brewer, Monterey Cty. Free Libs., Salinas, CA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
