Tag: Jackie Chan

KARATE KID: LEGENDS – Review

And with the first official post-holiday “Summer cinema” weekend at the multiplex, here comes the return of another beloved movie franchise. Though it doesn’t boast the longest wait between installments, its storied history is one that the IMF might have a tough time sorting through. It’s hard to believe that the initial was over forty years ago. That flick and its two sequels became cable TV staples in the 1980s. Then, a reboot was attempted with one of the stars in 1994 with a “gender switch” for the title lead. Didn’t work, but that didn’t stop a complete remake/reboot 15 years ago, which was a modest hit. Now, after a popular “spin-off” streaming TV, here’s a “re-do” that combines and unites the original trilogy and that 2010 version. With those mixed characters and legacies, it’s no wonder that this one is labeled KARATE KID: LEGENDS.


This new flick begins with footage from 1987 as the late Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) relates a bit of family history. It seems an ancestor took a “slow boat to China” many years ago, where he exchanged martial arts techniques with the Han family (or is it a dynasty). Flash forward to modern-day Beijing, where a member of that lineage, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), runs a popular wuguan (a kung fu school). Well, it’s not popular with his niece, Dr. Fong (Ming-Na Wen), who abhors fighting after losing her eldest son, Bo, to a vengeful rival after a big match. Unfortunately his kid brother Li (Ben Wang) studies there while hiding from Mom. But that will end as she is headed to the states, where she’ll join the staff of a NYC hospital. Just after relocating, Li befriends a bubbly young woman named Mia (Sadie Stanley) will helps her father Vic (Joshua Jackson) run his Victory Pizza eatery. Things get complicated when Li learns that Vic owes some dough (get it) to a cruel local loan shark, who happens to run the MMA school, Demolition Dojo, whose “star student’ is the vicious Conor (Aramis Knight), the jealous ex of Mia. When some of the loan shark goons try to rough up Vic, Li thwarts them with his skills. Vic insists that Li help him train to get back in the ring to earn a cash jackpot that’ll get him out of debt. But when an illegal blow sends Vic to the hospital, Li decides that he must enter the city-wide fighting competition known as the “Five Boroughs”. Now, he’ll need a coach. After explaining his problem over the phone to Mr. Han, the master unexpectedly shows up at the Fong home. There’s less than two weeks to train, so Han hops on another jet, this time to the west coast to recruit the former student of his old pal Miyagi, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). But with the start of the tourney quickly approaching, can Li take down Conor, even with the coaching of these two seasoned fighting masters?

In talking up the cast, I suppose we should begin with the new “double K” (and yes, he’s also “special”) himself. Wang as the reluctant young warrior. He effectively balances a snarky sense of humor with a beguiling sweetness, which had me thinking of the actors who donned the Spidey suit (actually, one character refers to Li as the “Asian Peter Parker”). He’s a good kid, despite his bouts fighting a painful loss, and like Parker, he blames himself. But we’re rooting for him, especially in his romantic pursuit of the tough, though vulnerable, “street smart” Stanley, as Ms. Mia. Yes, they’re both charming, but the master of that is the always entrancing Mr. Chan as Mr. Han. Sure, he’s often a terse taskmaster, but his quieter scenes with Wang convey a great warmth as a most comforting coach and mentor. Plus Chan has great comic rapport with Macchio as the reticent “side man”, giving Wang the wisdom of his own teenage struggles. As for the actual “parental figures”, Jackson also piles on his own brand of “Bronx bro” charm as the pizza man papa who hopes he has one more title bout in him. Then there’s that ethereal beauty, Ms. Wen as Li’s loving, but firm mother, who barely contains her concerns over losing another child to the martial art “battlezone.”, It’s a shame this terrific talent (maybe the fiercest “Agent of SHIELD”) isn’t given more to do. Of course, an action movie needs a compelling villain. Here, Knight is a swaggering, sneering hellion who encompasses the dark side of competitive combat. And happily a bit of comic relief is provided by the very funny Wyatt Oleff as Li’s dweeby tutor Alan.

In his feature film directing debut, Jonathan Enwistel keeps the pace flowing smoothly through its 94 minutes (huzzah for brevity) while providing some effective visual “razzle dazzle”. Big kudos to him for using several bits of classic 2D-style animation for the locale “bookmarks” ( the boroughs, round numbers, and “contact points”), and especially for the early illustration of the Myagi family history. Now, I know that “training montages” are a staple of sports-themed stories, so we get plenty of them, not only with Han and Daniel working with Li, but also with Li using kitchen utensils to get Vic in shape, so I expected them. Luckily, Enwistel keeps its length fairly “pared down” with a minimal mix of “slow-mo” and pop anthems. These set pieces harken back to the original concept, which is tweaked here (instead of NYC to LA, we get China to NYC), but the tropes of picking one’s self up to continue the fight are solidly in effect. Yes, there are few surprises here, other than the fun of pairing Chan with Macchio, so series fans will get a big steaming bowl of cinematic “comfort food”, a warm movie cookie (maybe a “fortune” inside). Well, at least Montreal doubles nicely for the Big Apple, and as “re-imaginings” of 80s classics, there’s still a lot of punches and kicks to be had with KARATE KID: LEGENDS.

3 Out of 4

KARATE KID: LEGENDS is now playing in theatres everywhere

A LEGEND – Review

A scene from A LEGEND, starring Jackie Chan. Courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

I’ve been such a huuuge Jackie Chan fan for so long I never pass up one of his releases, even though he’s been largely coasting on fumes for a while. In his prime, no one from ANY country crafted and executed scintillating action with comedy and charm like he did. But he turned 70 last spring (April 7, for those who want to celebrate his next birthday), and understandably can’t do what he did in front of the cameras, despite the amazing degree of agility and stamina he still has after so many years and so many injuries.  Just what’s been recorded in the legion of outtakes during decades of credits would have killed most mortals – including the dudes from those “Jackass” programs.

A LEGEND is a dramedy that dives into historical fantasy, as present-day archeology professor Jackie pursues ancient artifacts in a mostly wrap-around format, with elaborate staging of ancient battles between the Han Dynasty and the Huns, all triggered by finding a key relic from that era. Jackie and his students have the same recurring dreams about those ancient events, in which they looked exactly like several of the main figures. A much younger-looking Jackie was a general for, of course, the good guys. Events of the two periods are paralleled, as the quest for a hidden treasure-filled, power-granting cache drives both eras’ plot-lines.

The story is rather stale and much longer than it needed to be. It runs over two hours for maybe 90 minutes worth of content, with too much exposition dragging down the pace. But several battle scenes are epic in scale, backed by some gorgeous art design. In those major clashes, there’s considerably more blood and gore than in most of Jackie’s films. There’s also considerable CGI mastery in the mix, NOT including whatever they did to make Jackie look young in the historical sequences. Joan Rivers’ plastic surgeon delivered a more realistic appearance than what he got.

Throughout the film, most of the action, drama and romance are carried by Jackie’s handful of rather bland young co-stars, with relatively little of the Jackie we’ve all admired. But in the climactic sequence, he’s back for a typically frenetic fight with fast action and some of his signature comedic reactions. Patience with all that went before is rewarded… at last.

Several lyrical scenes rival the likes of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON for color and scope. One might enjoy this even more by fast-forwarding through chunks of dialog for undiluted focus on the good stuff.

A LEGEND, in Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles, is available on digital Bl-Ray or DVD from Well Go USA starting Tuesday, Jan. 21.

RATING: 2 out of 4 stars

PANDA PLAN – Review

Jackie Chan (right) and co-stars in PANDA PLAN. Courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

Ever since 1995’s RUMBLE IN THE BRONX lit up our screens, I’ve been a huge fan of Jackie Chan. Not only for his subsequent work on this side of the Pacific but scrounging through every available resource to watch his previous Hong Kong action flicks. To date, I’ve seen over 80 of his 146 credited roles. Nobody has ever combined physical and character comedy as delightfully as he has. His work is even more remarkable considering that he’s choreographed and performed most of his own stunts for about 45 years!

Jackie turned 70 this past April, so his level of physical artistry is obviously starting to decline. But his new kid-friendly comedy, PANDA PLAN, delivers all the slapstick energy of his usual productions. Perhaps even too much for grownups. But kids should be delighted.

Jackie plays a version of himself, thrilled by the offer to “adopt” a baby panda at a huge island theme park (mercifully, not Jurassic). But simultaneously, a wealthy sheikh hired a big gang of heavily-armed mercenaries to kidnap the furry little celebrity (the bear cub, not Jackie) for his own unexplained reasons. When they crash the ceremony for what should be an easy heist that wouldn’t require using the weapons they brandished, Jackie and a few others make it far more difficult than expected. The panda-grab is further compromised by how star-struck many of the baddies are to find Jackie there. His adoring fan base seemingly spans the spectrum from wide-eyed kiddies to hardened mercs.

Typically, Jackie frenetically copes with being forced to do in real life the fighting he’s only done on movie sets. His early training was in the gymnastics of Chinese Opera, not the realm of competitive martial arts. So, the bad guys chase the defenders and cub all over the massive place with plenty of fights and flights. It’s mostly played for laughs, with little blood and a low casualty rate.

My tepid rating is a compromise between the high degree of enjoyment it will bestow upon the little ones – especially considering the adorable CGI critter of the title that gets plenty of screen time. Panda merch should start flying off the shelves much faster than any actual panda has ever moved. For adult fans, the silliness level may seem excessive; less in balance with the story being told than has generally been the case. Also, those of us who’ve always savored the outtakes of stunts gone awry that became a Jackie trademark need not wait for them. They just roll credits alongside an up-tempo music video featuring the costars. Keep that in mind for deciding whether to send the kids to the multiplex, or adjust expectations for sitting there with them.

PANDA PLAN, in English and Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles, opens Friday, Oct. 18, in select theaters.

RATING: 2 out of 4 stars

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM – Review

All right, perhaps this unifying theme for the 2023 Summer movie season is nostalgia. Sure, the multiplex is usually filled with sequels and reboots this time of year, but at this moment the studios appear to be trying to exploit the treasured properties of our youth, over several different generations. Last weekend it was a beloved ride/attraction which has been a staple at the happiest place(s) on Earth for over fifty years. However the box office (and WB record-breaker) for the last couple of weeks stretches back another ten years to engulf theatre lobbies in a title wave of pink (“This BARBIE’s gonna’ bust a billion bucks at the box office”). Now, this Wednesday’s (gettin’ a jump on the weekend) new release also has a toy connection, but that merch arrived well after the characters’ comic book debut in 1984 (which spawned a TV cartoon a couple of years later). Oh, and it’s their seventh theatrical feature film (quite a few straight-to-home video and streaming flicks), and like the 2007 entry, it’s fully animated (no “mo-cap CGI” or big rubber suits). Time to return to those NYC sewers with TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM. Cowabunga!

For this retelling, the film is indeed back in the Big Apple for a flashback in the secret lab of scientist Baxter Stockman (voice of Giancarlo Esposito) who is testing his weird glowing ooze on several animals. Well, until his grungy “crib” is invaded by the forces of TCRI, under orders from Cynthia Utrom (Maya Rudolph). Ah, surprisingly some of the enhanced creatures fight back. Flash forward to now as the TMNT quartet, Donatello (Micah Abbey), Raphael (Brady Noon), Michaelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.), and the leader, Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu) go on a nighttime grocery run for their “papa”/mentor Splinter (Jackie Chan). Of course, things go awry when Leonardo is outvoted and the guys try to join the crowd at an outdoor movie screening in the park. Naturally, Splinter is furious at their late return and retells the story of how he found them as infants, raised them, trained them in martial arts, and how the humans above nearly destroyed them. Promising to be more careful, they go for another supply run and are spotted by the high school student and aspiring reporter April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri). She is looking into a series of daring high-tech robberies that have spawned a curfew that may cancel the school prom. A smitten Leonardo decides that they should help out by thwarting the next big heist. Oh, but this puts the quartet in conflict with a nastier group of mutated critters, led by the powerful Superfly (Ice Cube). Can the teen turtles stop them and keep “under the radar”? More importantly, can they spring into action without angering Master Splinter?

Well, this witty retelling is certainly one of this year’s pleasant surprises. That may be due in large part to the new producers/handlers of this feature franchise, none other than the SUPERBAD duo of Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogan, along with James Weaver. And Evan and Seth were also part of the writing team adapting the creations of Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman (who get a couple of nice background visual “nods”). It’s obvious that the team has a great deal of affection for the source material, though they indulge in a few playful “tweaks” at the “mythology”. A big part of the “re-energizing” is the decision to have the teen turtles actually voiced by teenage actors (a couple of them have since aged past 18), giving the film a distinct sound as if we’re listening in on kids at a party “cracking wise” and “goofing” on each other. But Rogan also joins in on the fun as the voice of one of the “meanie mutants” along with screen vets Rose Byrne, Paul Rudd, and Hannibal Buress. The biggest “standouts” and scene stealers may be the two opposing “leaders”. We can imagine Ice Cube’s sneer (and see a bit in the rendering) as the swaggering Superfly. And could anyone be more “spot on” than Chan as the worrying, stern but sweet Master Splinter? Of course, all of that talent at the “mike” would be a really swell audiobook without the superb look and movement of the animation. Director Jeff Rowe (fresh off THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES, which isn’t as polished as this) with co-director Kyler Spears have taken a bit of inspiration from the first SPIDER-VERSE movie, to give the computer animation a real loose “sketchy” look. The outlines are constantly moving, often ‘sliding off” the mass of the figures as though they were scribbled by a pre-teen in the margins of his spiral notebook with colored markers or ballpoint pens. And inside those wriggling lines, the characters, mainly the turtles, have the look of clay models, especially when the light saturates them. It’s not as gorgeous as Miles and his pals, but it feels right for this urban adventure. As for that character design, the turtles don’t have the same standard body proportions even though they retain the identifying mask and belt colors. The same unique design works for O’Neil, though I wish they had eased up on the scenes of her panic “hurling” (c’mon we’re not back in BABYLON). I was tickled by the “free-standing” silver eyebrows of Splinter, while the Superfly crew looked equally fearsome and funny (loved SF’s torso claws). The pace is smooth, even as it gives in to the popular trend of having too many “endings” in the third act. It’s a minor quibble as this 2023 edition is a splendid revisit/restart that reminds us of the wacky exploits from nearly 40 years ago. Hopefully, the concession stand will be well stocked with pizza when the fans return to revel in TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM. Welcome back you “heroes on a half-shell”.


3 Out of 4


TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM begins playing in theatres everywhere on Wednesday, August 2, 2023

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM Trailer Drops And It’s Cowabunga!

L-r, APRIL O’NEIL, DONATELLO, RAPHAEL, MICHELANGELO and LEONARDO in PARAMOUNT PICTURES and NICKELODEON MOVIES Present A POINT GREY Production “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM”

Check out the brand new trailer for TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM.

After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts. Their new friend April O’Neil helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.

This looks like so much fun! Based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, this latest eye-popping movie about how:

Splinter taught them to be ninja teens
[ he’s a radical rat ] Teenage mutant ninja turtles
Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines
[ that’s a fact, Jack ] Teenage mutant ninja turtles
Raphael is K00L but rude
Michaelangelo is a party dude
Teenage mutant ninja turtles
Teenage mutant ninja turtles
Teenage mutant ninja turtles
Heroes in a half shell, turtle power

looks AMAZING!!

The cast includes Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Hannibal Buress, Rose Byrne, Nicolas Cantu, John Cena, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, Natasia Demetriou, Ayo Edebiri, Giancarlo Esposito, Post Malone, Brady Noon, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Maya Rudolph.

The film is directed by Jeff Rowe, co-directed by Kyler Spears, with a screenplay by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg & Jeff Rowe, Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit.

See TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM in theaters on August 2.

Jackie Chan in DRUNKEN MASTER II Available on Blu-ray May 18th From Warner Archive

“Drinking gives Herculean strength!”

Jackie Chan in DRUNKEN MASTER II will be available on Blu-ray May 18th from Warner Archive

The film that cemented Jackie Chan’s iconic status as an action hero unlike any other pack a punch and brings a belly laugh in this eye-popping presentation taken from the original negatives! In turbulent China before World War I, the collapse of the Manchu Dynasty fuels violent uprisings and political chaos–the perfect setting for a grand-scale smuggling ring led by an unscrupulous British consul. When the ring plots to steal China’s crown jewels only one man, legendary “Drunken Fist” master Huang Fei-hung (Chan), possesses the courage and ferocity to stop the ruthless gang. Contains three different audio tracks, the original Cantonese language track, Mandarin and English. *Note* This new high definition master taken from the original camera negative offers the option of the original English subtitles that appeared on theatrical prints in Hong Kong, as well as other venues, and contain the spelling and grammatical errors as seen at the time. Also offers English SDH sub-titles.

Jackie Chan in VANGUARD Coming to Blu-ray, DVD & VOD March 9th

Jackie Chan is back in action when Vanguard arrives on Digital March 2, and on DVD and Blu-ray (plus Digital) March 9 from Lionsgate. Check out this exciting trailer:

This film released in the U.S. on November 25 in 1,000+ theaters. Featuring international action superstar and martial arts legend Jackie Chan (Rush Hour, The Foreigner, Police Story), Yang Yang (Once Upon A Time, TV’s “The King’s Avatar”, “The Whirlwind Girl”), and Miya Muqi (Tomb Robber, Kung Fu Yoga, The Pluto Moment). Vanguard will be available on DVD and Blu-ray™ (plus Digital) for the suggested retail price of $19.98 and $24.99, respectivley.

International superstar and martial arts legend Jackie Chan leaps into action as Tang, CEO of the covert security company Vanguard in this gripping action-thriller. After wealthy businessman Qin rats out his corrupt partner in an arms deal gone fatally wrong, he and his family become targets of the world’s deadliest mercenary organization — and the fighting power of Tang’s team is their only hope to survive. Set in locations across the globe — including London, Zambia, India, an Arabian desert, and Dubai — Vanguard delivers electrifying thrills from start to breathtaking finish!

BLU-RAY / DVD / DIGITAL SPECIAL FEATURES

  • The Making Of Vanguard

CAST

Jackie Chan                Rush Hour, The Foreigner, Police Story

Yang Yang                  Once Upon A Time, TV’s “The King’s Avatar”, “The Whirlwind Girl”

Miya Muqi                   Tomb Robber, Kung Fu Yoga, The Pluto Moment

Jackie Chan in POLICE STORY Midnights This Weekend at The Tivoli

” Don’t be a cop if you want to live to 100″

Jackie Chan in POLICE STORY (1985) plays midnights this weekend (August 2nd and 3rd) at the Tivoli as part of their Reel Late at the Tivoli Midnight series.  A Facebook invite for the event can be found HERE

It is a shame that Jackie Chan’s eventual emergence as a fully -fledged Hollywood star did not happen much earlier when he was at his physical peak. Of course even now at age 65 he is pretty amazing, but the Jackie Chan of POLICE STORY and POLICE STORY 2 would have really amazed the world.

In POLICE STORY, the movie that made him an international star, Jackie Chan plays policeman Ka-kui in the newly-restored Police Story. Ka-kui finds the need to go rogue to protect a star witness (Brigitte Lin, Chungking Express) against the retribution of a local drug lord. All of this is a vehicle for Chan to engage in some of the most memorable cinematic stunts this side of Buster Keaton—haven’t you ever seen a man hang from an umbrella hooked to the side of a moving bus before? In Cantonese with English subtitles.

The Tivoli’s located at 6350 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO. Admission is a mere $8!

The Tivoli’s website can be found HERE

Here’s the line-up for the other films coming to ‘Reel Late at The Tivoli:

Aug. 9-10            HOT FUZZ  

Aug. 16-17          ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL – New digital re-master – 40th Anniversary

Aug. 23-24          NINJA SCROLL (1993) – subtitled                                

Aug. 30-31          LABYRINTH  

Sept. 6-7             HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH New 4K digital re-master

See Jackie Chan in POLICE STORY and POLICE STORY 2 at Webster University

POLICE STORY (1985) screens at Webster University’s
Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood) Friday April 12th at 7:30pm and again Tuesday April 16th at 7:30. A Facebook invite for these two screenings can be found HERE. POLICE STORY 2 (1988) screens there Sunday April 14th at 7:30pm and again Friday April 19th at 7:30pm.
A Facebook invite for these two screenings can be found HERE

It is a shame that Jackie Chan’s eventual emergence as a fully -fledged Hollywood star did not happen much earlier when he was at his physical peak. Of course even now at age 65 he is pretty amazing, but the Jackie Chan of POLICE STORY and POLICE STORY 2 would have really amazed the world.

POLICE STORY – In the movie that made him an international star, Jackie Chan plays policeman Ka-kui in the newly-restored Police Story. Ka-kui finds the need to go rogue to protect a star witness (Brigitte Lin, Chungking Express) against the retribution of a local drug lord. All of this is a vehicle for Chan to engage in some of the most memorable cinematic stunts this side of Buster Keaton—haven’t you ever seen a man hang from an umbrella hooked to the side of a moving bus before? In Cantonese with English subtitles.

POLICE STORY 2 – After the events of the first Police Story, Jackie Chan’s Ka-kui has been demoted to a traffic cop and finds himself with a need to win back his girlfriend May (Maggie Cheung, In the Mood for Love). He finds a path to redemption in his pursuit of a group of extortionist bombers, which of course again results in Chan putting life and limb on the line for our collective amusement. In Cantonese with English subtitles.

Admission is:

$7 for the general public
$6 for seniors, Webster alumni and students from other schools
$5 for Webster University staff and faculty

Free for Webster students with proper I.D.

Jackie Chan in BLEEDING STEEL Coming to Blu-ray and Digital August 21st

A special force agent is assigned to protect a scientist and his creation from a sinister gang in Bleeding Steel, arriving on Blu-ray™ (plus Digital), DVD, and Digital August 21 from Lionsgate. This film is currently available On Demand.


Honorary 2016 Academy Award® recipient Jackie Chan plays Hong Kong police inspector Lin Dong, who learns that a biochemical invention has been surgically implanted into his missing daughter. With help from a hacker, Lin tries to connect the dots between the device, a sinister army, and a strange phenomenon called “Bleeding Steel.” Packed with nonstop action and thrills, the Bleeding SteelBlu-ray and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $21.99 and $19.98, respectively.

In an action-packed drama reminiscent of ‘80s techno-sci-fi thrillers, Jackie Chan stars as Lin, a police inspector in modern Hong Kong. While tracking down a deranged, mech-enhanced villain, Lin discovers that a geneticist’s lost biochemical invention has been surgically implanted into his missing daughter. With the help of a young hacker, Lin connects the dots between the device that haunts his daughter, his enemy’s sinister army, and a strange cultural phenomenon called “Bleeding Steel.”

CAST

Jackie Chan (Rush Hour, Jackie Chan’s Who Am I?, ShanghaiNoon), Show Lo (Hi My Sweetheart, Journey to the West), Nana Ou-Yang (To the Fore, Mission Milano, Beijing Love Story), Callan Mulvey (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, 300: Rise of an Empire) and Tess Haubrich (The Wolverine, Alien: Covenant, Infini)