Movie review: The Tuxedo

[ruri]

I have been a Jackie Chan's fan since his HK cinema days, I have not missed any of his American releases starting from Rumble in the Bronx. His latest work is The Tuxedo.

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As typical of a Jackie Chan flick, you'll get a heavy dose of acrobatic Kung-Fu action where Jackie lays some serious smack-down on a phalanx of baddies. Unfortunately, the action sequence in The Tuxedo pales in comparison to his earlier flix, and for the first time that I can remember, special effects were used to enhance the fighting sequence. For a Jackie Chan fanatic, that borderline on blasphemy.

Furthermore, the action sequences lacked imagination and appeared quite formulaic at times. I hate to use the word 'contrived', but that's what it felt like.

His co-star is Jennifer Hewitt, a fine actress is her own right. The chemistry between the two stars is okay, but doesn't compare to Owen Wilson (Shanhai Noon) or Chris Tucker (Rush Hour). OTOH, she looks great in her Chun-Li poses

The plot is rather dumb. Too dumb in fact. Throughout the movie, I was reminded of Inspector Gadget. I don't WANT to be reminded of Inspector Gadget when watching a Jackie Chan flick! But that's what this film felt like. If you replaced Jackie with Matthew Broderick, the movie would still work. That's sad.

Over-all, the movie is lighthearted enough and entertaining enough to watch. Just be sure to lower your expectation. Alot.

I would give this movie a C-.

Jackie Chan will need to seriously redeem himself in Shanghai Knight. Or he can just bring over his HK flick, City Hunter, and all will be forgiven.