Ok. While the plot itself isn't bad, I found the story deployment weak at times. There are a lot of humorous comments and jabs at the British history and culture throughout the movie, which are funny, but I think lack something in the delivery. Maybe I'm just finding Owen Wilson's character a little too bland in his delivery and introspectiveness. Either way, I think a lot of what was meant to be intelligent, dialogue-based humor just didn't quite hit the mark.
The fight/action scenes really steal the show. With Jackie Chan being known for great non-stop (and sometimes humorous) action sequences with no stunt double, he once again astounds with his evolutionary martial arts creativity.
This movie contains several fantastic and original fight sequences with inspirations from the Keystone Cops, Abbott and Costello monster flicks and even Singing in the Rain (which is a particularly clever sequence that includes umbrella play). Indirectly or possibly unintentionally he pays homage to some of the trendsetters and pioneers in the film industry.
Jackie Chan pulls out the ladders, chairs, boxes, crates, hats, swords, coats and everything else hanging or lying around and once again displays his tireless efforts to make martial arts movies, in my opinion, more than just a male testosterone trip down action lane, but a genre with main stream audience appeal.
In summary, this is an entertaining (although groan provoking) movie that's worth watching.
The fight/action scenes really steal the show. With Jackie Chan being known for great non-stop (and sometimes humorous) action sequences with no stunt double, he once again astounds with his evolutionary martial arts creativity.
This movie contains several fantastic and original fight sequences with inspirations from the Keystone Cops, Abbott and Costello monster flicks and even Singing in the Rain (which is a particularly clever sequence that includes umbrella play). Indirectly or possibly unintentionally he pays homage to some of the trendsetters and pioneers in the film industry.
Jackie Chan pulls out the ladders, chairs, boxes, crates, hats, swords, coats and everything else hanging or lying around and once again displays his tireless efforts to make martial arts movies, in my opinion, more than just a male testosterone trip down action lane, but a genre with main stream audience appeal.
In summary, this is an entertaining (although groan provoking) movie that's worth watching.