Good morning all! Last night I was able to attend a screening of the new Jackie Chan movie, The Tuxedo. If you don't know by now, I'm a big fan of "kick flicks" in general and this movie would REALLY have to stink for me not to enjoy it. Keep that in mind if you are using my review to decide upon whether you wish to see it or not. This film is what is loosely referred to as an 'action comedy'. Unfortunately, the action is very limited (for a Jackie Chan movie) and I don't remember much being funny (though my son laughed at some of the trademark vaudevillian (sp?) antics of Chan). Guess it's a lot funnier the first time you see it. This movie is what is often referred to as a "popcorn movie". Don't show up expecting great plot or acting. Just come to get away from the 'real world' for two hours and munch some tasty (if overpriced) theatre popcorn. The story (such as it is) is that Jackie, an 'aggressive' taxi driver with a laundry list of traffic offenses is recruited to be the driver for a world renknown secret agent whose partner has been mysteriously slain (unfortunately my recap sounds a heck of a lot better than the actual presentation of the plot in the film). When the secret agent is badly injured, Chan puts on the agent's 'special suit' and discovers that the SUIT is the source of the agent's skill and ability, not any inherant natural abilities. There is a throw-away love angle at the beginning and end good for about 2 laughs and one or two other 'red herring' (or simply unfinished as I suspect) plot threads. The movie concern's Jackie and his new partner (Jennifer Love Hewitt) trying to find out who took out the secret agent and then stopping that villain from his (ludicrous) plans for world domination. Seriously, that SOUNDS like an Ok plot but the movie just never worked for me. There was very VERY little of Chan's trademark "I cannot believe he did that" stunts and only a few fight scenes. The tuxedo and the surprisingly few other 'spy gadgets' are amusing but under-used. Hewitt's performance is like watching a wooden mannequin with a tape recorder strapped to it's head. She may be pretty, but she's not suited for film (at least not this type of film). I hate to say it, but despite some rave reviews this film is getting, it is nowhere NEAR Chan's "best work ever". It may be a bit more suited to mainstream consumption but anyone who has seen any 'real' (read pre-Hollywood) Chan movies and is expecting more of the same will likely be disappointed by The Tuxedo. Consider this 'kung-fu' film light or 'spy-movie' light. The same time allotment but only half the attention-span required for consumption. It's obviously aimed at the younger mass-market rather than true fans of the genré. My son and I enjoyed it, but, to be honest, if it wasn't a "Jackie Chan Film", I'd likely be a LOT harsher in this review. Limited profanity. No real gunplay (though several are held menacingly or placed on rooftops). Cartoonish violence. No nudity or sex (though it is implied once or twice). One or two 'potentially disturbing' scenes of rapid dessication of a live person which might frighten younger viewers but that's all I can remember that would have kept this from being a "G" film. If you like Chan (or 'kick flicks'), you'll find something to amuse you in this film, otherwise I'd suggest you wait for rental or cable.
Review of The Tuxedo
