Bit of a surprise this film. Recorded it as was a Jackie Change film. Seen numerous of his films over the years when I was a kid, but tended to avoid his latest stuff which was just dirge. This though looked and sounded different.
Note, there's no martial arts, there's no comedy and there's no 'Jackie'. He practically doesn't even smile. Instead we have Jackie Chan playing it straight as an illegal immigrant to Japan from China, aiming to make a living. Up against it, he and his cohorts get tangled up in the local mafia problems, and find that crime is their only way to survive. Some though have their limits, others don't know when to stop.
This was an interesting enough movie, and Jackie Chan shows he has good acting ability away from his comedy family friendly fare. Ably assisted by a good ensemble and some good cinematography, the whole piece is well put together.
Yet it still lacks something. It doesn't help that despite the change, Jackie Chan is still at the end playing the little guy with a heart and soul. There could have been a bit better developed story too. It wasn't bad but nothing special, yet was still good. Reverting to type for Jackie Chan's character in the last quarter was not a good move I think.
It's a fair film, and if you like your Asian gangster movies then this is not a bad choice. For Jackie Chan it was nice to see a change, but it's also a lost opportunity too.
Note, there's no martial arts, there's no comedy and there's no 'Jackie'. He practically doesn't even smile. Instead we have Jackie Chan playing it straight as an illegal immigrant to Japan from China, aiming to make a living. Up against it, he and his cohorts get tangled up in the local mafia problems, and find that crime is their only way to survive. Some though have their limits, others don't know when to stop.
This was an interesting enough movie, and Jackie Chan shows he has good acting ability away from his comedy family friendly fare. Ably assisted by a good ensemble and some good cinematography, the whole piece is well put together.
Yet it still lacks something. It doesn't help that despite the change, Jackie Chan is still at the end playing the little guy with a heart and soul. There could have been a bit better developed story too. It wasn't bad but nothing special, yet was still good. Reverting to type for Jackie Chan's character in the last quarter was not a good move I think.
It's a fair film, and if you like your Asian gangster movies then this is not a bad choice. For Jackie Chan it was nice to see a change, but it's also a lost opportunity too.