Movie Review:

Around the World in 80 Days

by Lynn B.

Jackie Chan has been funny and action-packed in Chinese films and certainly in America with the Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon movies and his “Jackie Chan Adventures” TV show, but now, with this re-make of Around the World in 80 Days, he stirs things up on the great wall of China as well as in India, France…you name it!

In London, circa 1872, Phileas Fogg is a gentlemanly, visionary inventor whom everyone thinks is nuts! He actually invents inline skates! He can’t get funding from the snooty Royal Academy of Science so he makes a bet that he can circumnavigate the globe in only 80 days (hey..this is 1872!). If he’s successful, he’ll be made the head of the academy. If not, he must promise to never invent again!

Meanwhile Lau Xing (Jackie Chan) is accused of stealing an expensive jade Buddha from the Royal Museum and cops are after him. He hides in Fogg’s backyard and volunteers to be his valet calling himself Passaportout (you’ll see). Fogg and valet are off on the “world” challenge which involves tons of interesting countries and loads of Jackie’s wild stunts and fighting action. Fogg has his own “action” with a beautiful French painter named Monique (Cecile de France) who joins the adventurers to see the world for inspiration. Will Fogg and team make it back to London in time? Will the cops and some Chinese bad guys catch up with “Jackie”?

I enjoyed this movie, based very loosely on the Jules Verne novel and 1956 film, for the pure spectacle and creative Chan action. I also got a kick out of the very inspired and funny Fogg inventions. Jackie is his usual fun, warm but deadly self and just as in the original 1956 film (go rent it), there are plenty of popular actors appearing in cameo roles and it’s a kick to watch them pop up whether it’s Owen and Luke Wilson to the Gov. of California Arnold or comic actor Rob Schneider as a bum or Kathy Bates as Queen Victoria. Steve Coogan as Fogg, delivers just the right mix of sincerity and buffoonery to make us root for him to succeed. Cecile de France is a fresh, cute face with plenty of enthusiasm.

Some of the effects are good, some kind of “iffy” but real locations are interesting and costumes and sets are very colorful. The action and Chan’s martial arts are exciting and often fun and action doesn’t mean unnecessary violence in this film. Okay to take in with dates, younger siblings or your whole clan.

This movie is rated PG

 

The official movie web site - Around The World In 80 Days

pictures courtesty and copyright Walt Disney Pictures