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Directed by: Frank Coraci Starring: Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, Cécile De France IMDB description: Based on the classic novel by Jules Verne, Around the World in 80 Days (2003) stars Jackie Chan as Passepartout. As an adventurer, Passepartout ends up accompanying time-obsessed English gentleman, Phileas Fogg (played by Steve Coogan) on a daring mission to journey around the world. Fogg has wagered with members of his London club that he can traverse the world in 80 days. Along the way, they encounter many interesting 19th Century figures and have many exciting and suspenseful situations in their voyage around the world. Around the World in 80 Days is loosely based on the novel. I say loosely because although I've never read the book I doubt it had things like kung fu fights or nippleless boat captains. This movie has received very little attention for what is probably the most cameo-filled film in recent memory and one of Jackie Chan's better non-Rush Hour efforts here in the States. Unfortunately it doesn't take much to outdo abominations like The Tuxedo or The Medallion. Chan plays the same guy he plays in practically every American movie: a Chinese agent sent on a mission overseas to retrieve/protect something. He steals back an artifact from his home village called the Jade Buddha from the Bank of England, and while being chased by the police he winds up taking refuge with Phileas Fogg (Coogan) and becomes his valet. Coogan plays the typical inventor pantywaist who can't get any respect from his peers despite being a brilliant scientist. He makes a bet with the head of the Royal Academy of Science that he can travel around the world in 80 days-if he wins, he becomes head of the academy, if he loses he must give up inventing forever. Chan and Coogan then embark on a worldwide adventure, picking up the pretty struggling artist Monique (De France) along the way. People don't go see Jackie Chan movies for the Oscar-winning drama, they go for the kung fu and crazy stunts. The movie is surprisingly fun in this area. Chan's abilities seemed to have waned in Shanghai Knights but he's at his best in recent memory here. There's plenty of flipping, kicking, and fighting with nontraditional objects. Chan proves for the 151st time his mastery of the most dangerous weapon of all, the small wooden workbench. Sammo Hung makes a brief cameo as well, making Project A fans like myself giddy at seeing him and Chan together again. Other cameos include Arnold Schwarzenegger as a Turkish prince (the dvd will be worth buying just for the facial expressions and Carrot Top wig), the Wilson brothers as the Wright Brothers, Kathy Bates as the Queen of England, and Rob Schneider as a San Francisco hobo. As far as story goes it's nothing new. The movie starts off almost agonizingly slow but picks up as it goes along. The plot is predictable, as is the love story and cheesy ending, but the actors have fun with their roles and come off as pretty likeable, the cheery Cécile De France in particular. The movie's real strengths (or weaknesses, depending on opinion) are the completely random or bizarre moments of hilarity, such as Arnold screaming, an old woman falling ten feet on her face with a painful thud, and a worldwide birdmen conspiracy. Overall it's one of the more entertaining Chan movies in recent years and his fans likely won't be disappointed. Non-Chan fans (shame on you) will probably want to skip it. RATING: 3 PROS: Likeable actors, random hilarity, good fight scenes, tons of cameos, Cécile De France is loving hot CONS: Average and very cliched story, the movie can draaaaag and does so often ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327437/
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Jun 22, 2004 15:56
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| # ? Apr 18, 2024 09:29 |
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This movie is being killed by negative hype surrounding Disney. I thought this movie was a lot better than what a lot of critics have been saying about it, and the sad truth is a lot of people like to see somewhat expensive movies tank. It's sad that dreck like Garfield are making way more money than this really fun family flick. But yeah, everything you said was on the money. Not groundbreaking or true to the novel by any means, but very fun, and the actors looked like they had a blast making it. The movie does tend to feel like a series of comedic skits after a while and does take a bit to get up to speed, but the jokes are funny enough to keep kids and adults amused. Steve Coogan was a perfect straight man to Jackie Chan's acrobatics (reminding me a bit of a young Eric Idle) and the de France chick was indeed incredibly hot and likeable. Other cameos not mentioned include Macy Gray, Richard Branson, John Cleese, and Daniel Wu. Did anybody else catch the reference to Spinal Tap?
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Jun 23, 2004 23:34
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It's good for what it is. At times it has some sharp humour, some of the action sequences are decent, and Arnold's cameo had serious trainwreck appeal. Around the World in 80 Days would probably be held in the same esteem as Pirates of the Caribbean if the audience had the sort of movie-boner for Steve Coogan that they did for Johnny Depp. Three.
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Nov 22, 2004 07:57
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