AGW Entertainment reporter Lynn B. saw a new adventure/action comedy film. Here are her thoughts on....

THE TUXEDO

Dreamworks Pictures

According to his director, Jackie Chan had to learn to dance James Brown style for this film. Now, Chan can bust some serious moves but rhythm….maybe not. But…who is gonna tell him?

Chan is Jimmy Tong, a can't-get-a-date New York cabbie who drives his cab at crazy speeds. When the top agent of the CSA (read CIA) needs a new chauffeur, Agent Steena (Debi Mazar) recruits him for her boss Clark Devlin (Jason Issacs). Devlin is injured in a car bombing and, while bringing in his boss's dry cleaning, Jimmy finds Devlin's experimental "Tactical Uniform X-periment", a tux that enables the wearer to be a serious action spy and also appear more suave than James Bond.

Since Devlin was investigating a plot to contaminate the world's drinking water, Jimmy is caught up in the action and paired with new CSA agent Del Blaine (Jennifer Love Hewitt). The two bumble through to stop the baddy while Jimmy tries to keep his true identity hidden.

Jackie Chan succeeds in his American films because he's played an "everyman" who eventually kicks xxxx and shines when his true talent is revealed, usually with the aid of a wise-cracking sidekick (Owen Wilson or Chris Tucker). Okay, he does this in Tuxedo as well but this time he's partnered with a girl. Although Jackie's stunts are as lightning-fast and funny as ever, the comic dialogue just isn't. Jennifer Love Hewitt is perky enough but you don't get a feeling that it's these two equals against the world. Jennifer's character, despite some martial arts, is still a femme in jeopardy so Jackie doesn't have the usual strong "buddy" to play off of.

Jennifer wears some killer outfits and when she's not in a scene with Jackie, director Donovan just lets her be eye candy. The plot is kind of silly although it's very James-Bondish. It's odd that the CSA doesn't seem to know that its top agent is in the hospital and has been replaced by a Chinese guy. However, the message of the film, that despite a "magic" suit, a lot of the bravado and James Bond "suaveness" comes from the guy wearing it, is a worthy one.

If you love Chan and think Jennifer is hot, you'll be entertained by this film. There is enough humor and action to make it worth checking out. Fun for gals and guys.

Official website: www.dreamworks.com/thetuxedo

RATED: PG-13