Flawed masterpiece from Jackie Chan has him giving an Oscar worthy performance that coupled with Karate Kid and the Shinjuku Incident should put Chan on the fast track to serious actor status in Hollywood.
The film has Chan as a foot soldier finding a wounded, but still living general in the bodies left after a large battle. Knowing that the general could gain him land and a way out of military service if he brings him home a captive, Chan hauls him down the road. However as circumstance, warlords and some of the generals own men pursue them a friendship of sort forms.
Stunning fight scenes and fantastic performances come together to form one of Jackie Chan's best films ever. You can pretty much flush his Hollywood films when you compare them to this little gem. And while I know I've loved some of Chan's recent films from China, there is something so solid in this to make you feel as though it was from a different filmmaker. This is a film that makes you sit up and reevaluate Chan as an actor and filmmaker. He hasn't raised the bar he kicked it into orbit Long in gestation, this film was originally intended to have Jackie play the young general, but time and tide have conspired to give him one of his best roles ever. Funny touching, and wise Jackie hits every emotion letter perfect, and when the end comes I think you'll be hard pressed not to be moved deeply by what transpires.
There is so much to love I can't not recommend the film highly enough.
In fairness I do have to warn you that the film isn't perfect. At times there is a battle between being light and serious that doesn't quite work. The film also meanders a bit in the wilderness at the start as if they are trying to fill in a couple of minutes in running time.
Ultimately though my quibbles are minor and this is a grand return to form, nay reinvention of Jackie Chan.
One of the great finds of 2010.
The film has Chan as a foot soldier finding a wounded, but still living general in the bodies left after a large battle. Knowing that the general could gain him land and a way out of military service if he brings him home a captive, Chan hauls him down the road. However as circumstance, warlords and some of the generals own men pursue them a friendship of sort forms.
Stunning fight scenes and fantastic performances come together to form one of Jackie Chan's best films ever. You can pretty much flush his Hollywood films when you compare them to this little gem. And while I know I've loved some of Chan's recent films from China, there is something so solid in this to make you feel as though it was from a different filmmaker. This is a film that makes you sit up and reevaluate Chan as an actor and filmmaker. He hasn't raised the bar he kicked it into orbit Long in gestation, this film was originally intended to have Jackie play the young general, but time and tide have conspired to give him one of his best roles ever. Funny touching, and wise Jackie hits every emotion letter perfect, and when the end comes I think you'll be hard pressed not to be moved deeply by what transpires.
There is so much to love I can't not recommend the film highly enough.
In fairness I do have to warn you that the film isn't perfect. At times there is a battle between being light and serious that doesn't quite work. The film also meanders a bit in the wilderness at the start as if they are trying to fill in a couple of minutes in running time.
Ultimately though my quibbles are minor and this is a grand return to form, nay reinvention of Jackie Chan.
One of the great finds of 2010.