Month: November 2022

Today’s quick review: Dragon Lord. Dragon (Jackie Chan), the delinquent son of a respected gentleman (Tien Fung), would rather play sports, flirt with girls, and make mischief with his best friend Cowboy (Mars) than attend to his studies. Dragon lands in even more trouble than usual when he runs afoul of a band of rebels, whose leader (Hwang In-Shik) is planning to fund their operations by stealing priceless artifacts from the temple.

Dragon Lord is a martial arts action comedy starring Jackie Chan. Dragon Lord uses the same ingredients as Chan’s other films, but it mixes them in different proportions. As usual, the stunt work is the movie’s strong point, with impressive feats of sports and acrobatics from both Chan and the supporting cast. However, a shallow protagonist, a jumbled plot, and mediocre comedy make the film less endearing than Chan’s other work.

Dragon Lord has a handful of weaknesses that keep it from matching Chan’s best work. The movie juggles several subplots that never pay off, including Dragon’s love life and his sports career. The action scenes are technically impressive, but they are less memorable than Chan’s most creative stunts. The movie also opts for a different sort of humor than usual, keeping the fights serious and relying on Dragon’s hijinks for its laughs.

The result is a movie that still holds some appeal as a light-hearted action comedy, but which isn’t as polished as Jackie Chan at his best. If you are in the mood for some skillful action, Dragon Lord may be worth a shot. If you’re looking for sharper comedy or more likable characters, you may want to opt for one of Chan’s other movies.

For a more polished take on a similar premise, try The Legend of Drunken Master. For a more ridiculous martial arts comedy from Stephen Chow, try Justice, My Foot!. For another martial arts period piece, try The Five Venoms or Return to the 36th Chamber.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for solid stunts and otherwise mixed craftsmanship.

Today’s quick review: Armour of God. Jackie (Jackie Chan), a rock star turned treasure hunter, reunites with his former bandmate Alan (Alan Tam) when the leader of a cult (Ken Boyle) kidnaps Alan’s fiance Lorelei (Rosamnud Kwan). Jackie and Alan are told to hand over the Armour of God, five artifacts with immense power. Instead, they team up with May (Lola Forner), the daughter of a collector, to infiltrate the cult and rescue Lorelei.

Armour of God is a martial arts action comedy starring Jackie Chan. Armour of God fits comfortably into the same mold as Chan’s other movies: a light adventure full of impressive stunt work and physical comedy. Armour of God is some of Chan’s sharper work when it comes to stunts, with precise and well-choreographed fight scenes that show off his impressive acrobatic ability. The action forms a strong backbone for the film.

However, Armour of God is missing some of the polish of Jackie Chan’s later work. There’s less of a focus on comedy, with bits and pieces thrown in for flavor rather than the elaborate madcap sequences seen in some of his other films. The plot is a mixed bag, starting off strong but never finding the proper way to escalate. The result is an insubstantial romp that starts jettisons most of its story and character development to fit in more action.

Armour of God is a solid pick for fans of Jackie Chan or anyone interested in creative applications of martial arts. How much you get out of the movie will depend on whether you value Chan’s stunts or his humor more, with the movie skewing slightly towards the former. Still, Armour of God has enough of each to make it an entertaining watch for a broad range of viewers. Steer clear only if you’re looking for something with a deeper story.

For a loose sequel, check out Operation Condor or Chinese Zodiac. For a Jackie Chan movie with more heart and a better balance of action and comedy, try The Legend of Drunken Master.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for strong stunt work and decent comedy.

“Stop hitting me! Try hitting her, okay?” —Jackie

Today’s quick review: Operation Condor. Jackie (Jackie Chan), a daring treasure hunter, is called in by the United Nations to recover a fortune in Nazi gold hidden in the Sahara Desert during the closing days of World War II. Together with Ada (Carol Cheng), a UN attache, and Elsa (Eva Cobo de Garcia), the granddaughter of the German officer who buried the gold, Jackie braves mercenaries, thieves, and the desert to locate the long-lost Nazi base.

Operation Condor is a comedy action adventure starring Jackie Chan. Operation Condor serves up Chan’s signature blend of physical comedy and martial arts action, this time dressed in the clothing of the adventure genre. The movie is one of Chan’s more polished films as far as its stunts and humor are concerned. However, its one major failing is a plot that barely hangs together, with story beats that are chosen purely to fuel the action.

More so than even Jackie Chan’s other work, Operation Condor has a knack for physical comedy. The accident-prone trio of Jackie, Ada, and Elsa turns every fight scene into a round robin of mayhem. Their fortunes change rapidly as they gain and lose the upper hand against the thugs who are after the treasure. Excellent timing, creative stunts, protracted fights, and several impressive set pieces make the action a treat from start to finish.

Operation Condor is a strong pick for any fans of Jackie Chan, or anyone who’s in the mood for a skillful and charming action comedy. The story’s tenuous logic and minimal character development keep the premise from reaching its full potential, but the strength of the stunt work and humor is more than enough to carry the film. Give it a watch when you feel like something breezy and fun.

For another Jackie Chan adventure starring the same character, try Armour of God or Chinese Zodiac. For one with more of a spy feel to it, try Who Am I? or Jackie Chan’s First Strike. For a classic adventure movie with a similar premise and a more developed story, try Raiders of the Lost Ark.

7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for top-notch stunt work and enjoyable comedy.

Today’s quick review: The Foreigner. After his daughter dies in a bombing by an IRA splinter group, Quan Ngoc Minh (Jackie Chan), a Chinese immigrant to London, goes looking for the ones responsible. When the police fail to identify the bombers, Quan turns to Liam Hennessy (Pierce Brosnan), an Irish politician with ties to the IRA, for answers. But Hennessy refuses to help, forcing Quan to use violence to get the information he needs.

The Foreigner is a crime drama about a grieving father’s quest for revenge. Jackie Chan stars as Quan, a determined man whose combat skills make him more than a match for Hennessy and his organization. Pierce Brosnan plays opposite him as Hennessy, a semi-reformed IRA member who has his hands full dealing with the aftermath of the bombing. Interesting conflicts, strong acting, and some well-placed action make The Foreigner an engrossing watch.

The Foreigner draws much of its strength from the conflicts it sets up. The backbone of the story is a power struggle within the IRA, with Hennessy trying to track down the rogue bombers while convincing the British government he has the situation under control. Quan is a wildcard who causes even more chaos as he searches for the bombers. The result is a nicely complicated plot where no single faction is in control of the outcome.

The Foreigner builds on this plot with strong character work and satisfying action. Jackie Chan makes for a compelling protagonist: not quite a hero, but a man coping with his grief through a methodical campaign of violence. Pierce Brosnan holds up his end of the story, a politician caught between a rock and a hard place. Meanwhile, the action punctuates teh film nicely, with grounded stunts that have just enough flair to them to be exciting.

The Foreigner is a solid choice for fans of the grittier side of the action genre. The movie strikes a nice balance between plot, character, and action. It is not as single-minded or as redemptive as some revenge stories, but it manages to hold its own thanks to its well-crafted story. Those looking for Jackie Chan’s usual flashy stunts and upbeat sense of humor should steer clear.

For a crime thriller about a parent using violence to avenge a child, try Taken, Death Wish, The Brave One, or Edge of Darkness. For an action movie about a soldier pushed too far, check out First Blood. For another dramatic movie from Jackie Chan, try Little Big Soldier.

7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid craftsmanship.

“It’s not soccer! It’s football!” —Steed

Today’s quick review: Final Score. American soldier Mike Knox (Dave Bautista) and his niece Danni (Lara Peake) are at a London soccer game when a group of Eastern European terrorists, led by General Arkady Belav (Ray Stevenson), take over the stadium. To keep Danni safe, Mike must fight his way through Arkday’s men before they get what they came for: Arkaday’s brother Dimitri (Pierce Brosnan), a former revolutionary now living in hiding.

Final Score is an action thriller that pits a protective uncle against a group of terrorists holding a soccer stadium hostage. The movie sticks to the basics of the action genre but executes them well, taking advantage of its unusual setting to shape the plot and stage the action. Visceral fights, a race against the clock, and a couple of creative stunts are all that it needs to be an entertaining watch, albeit a simple one.

Still, Final Score has many of the usual limitations of budget action flicks. The plot is self-contained and works as a vehicle for the action, but it isn’t especially deep. The characters fall into a similar middle ground: adequate for the story they’re in, but not especially compelling. Final Score also misuses its star power, giving very little time for Ray Stevenson or Pierce Brosnan to make a personal mark on the film.

Give Final Score a shot if you’re an action fan with accommodating taste. Its solid execution and expansive setting make it a step up from the usual budget fare, even if it still falls short of the more polished entries into the genre. Anyone looking for some easy thrills may want to take a look. Skip it if you’re looking for something deep, unexpected, or truly impressive.

For a more memorable action thriller with a similar premise, try Die Hard or Under Siege. For a crime thriller set in a stadium, check out Snake Eyes. For a more thrilling movie about a dangerous man protecting a loved one, try Taken.

5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for basic but enjoyable action.

Today’s quick review: The Ghost Writer. A writer (Ewan McGregor) accepts a job finishing the memoirs of Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), a former British prime minister who has just become embroiled in a political scandal. On a remote island, the writer gets to know Adam, his wife Ruth (Olivia Williams), and his assistant Amelia (Kim Cattrall). But the writer continues his work, he stumbles upon a secret tied to the untimely death of his predecessor.

The Ghost Writer is a political thriller about a writer’s search for the truth about a controversial politician. The Ghost Writer aims to be a haunting mystery that touches on British and American politics, as well as the War on Terror. However, in spite of a capable cast and an ominous atmosphere, the movie does not have a very strong bite. The combination of a slow start and a questionable payoff make it a miss for viewers looking for serious thrills.

The Ghost Writer’s main issue is that it doesn’t set its hook well. The movie is packed with hints that something is wrong with Lang and his entourage, but it offers precious few clues as to what. The audience is left to speculate on their own until the writer finally pulls together enough information to begin making guesses. By that point, the air of mystery has worn thin, and the answers, when they come, are disappointingly mundane.

The end result is a thriller that’s more bark than bite. The Ghost Writer has a decent premise for a mystery, but it does a poor job of escalating from its early setup to the meat of the investigation. Fans of political drama may get more out of it, since much of the movie is spent examining Lang’s unusual political career from within. But those looking for a tense mystery will find The Ghost Writer to be outclassed by other thrillers.

For a political thriller with more bite to it, try The Manchurian Candidate. For a psychological drama about a writer struggling with an assignment, check out Barton Fink. For a budget drama about a beleaguered politician, try The Runner. For a mystery about a political scandal in the making, try State of Play. For a spy story with a similar mystery, try The Good Shepherd.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for fine craftsmanship and a weak hook.

Today’s quick review: After the Sunset. After stealing a multi-million dollar diamond from FBI agent Stan Lloyd (Woody Harrelson), Max Burdett (Pierce Brosnan) and Lola Cirillo (Salma Hayek) retire to the Bahamas to live out the rest of their lives in luxury. But their happy ending is threatened when Stan tracks them down, convinced that they have come to the Bahamas to steal yet another diamond that’s being displayed there.

After the Sunset is a crime comedy and romance about a retired thief tempted by one last score. Pierce Brosnan stars as Max Burdett, who’s forced to choose between his professional pride and the woman of his dreams, all while staying ahead of the FBI agent who has been hunting him for seven years. After the Sunset’s light tone and likable cast make it a pleasant watch, but it lacks the intricate plot of other heist movies.

After the Sunset is more about the relationships between its characters than the mechanics of the heist itself. Pierce Brosnan and Woody Harrelson make a natural pair as Max and Stan, whose years of enmity have almost made them friends. Brosnan also matches well with Salma Hayek, with Max drawn by the allure of the diamond in spite of Lola’s wish to stay retired. These character dynamics are simple, but they’re enough to carry the movie.

Where After the Sunset falls a little short is with its plot. The movie has a couple of clever tricks up its sleeve, but its twists aren’t nearly as effective as those seen in other heist films. After the Sunset seems content to move its pieces around the board without trying to set up an elaborate endgame. As a result, supporting characters like Sophie (Naomie Harris), a local cop, and Henri (Don Cheadle), a local crime lord, get short shrift.

After the Sunset is a fine pick for anyone in the mood for a light, low-effort heist movie. It is not as thrilling or cerebral as the best films in its genre, and it depends heavily on its characters for its comedic and emotional payoff. But even with these caveats in mind, After the Sunset’s strong cast and charming premise make it an easy movie to enjoy.

For a more elaborate heist with similar charm, try Focus, Duplicity, Out of Sight, or Ocean’s Eleven. For a tropical adventure with a dash of romance, try Fool’s Gold. For a crime movie about a white-collar criminal and an FBI agent, try Catch Me If You Can. For a darker crime drama about the relationship between a cop and a thief, try Heat.

6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for likable characters and a decent story.

Today’s quick reivew: Urge. Wealthy executive Neil (Danny Masterson) takes his brother Jason (Justin Chatwin), his assitant Theresa (Ashley Greene), and the rest of his friends (Chris Geere, Bar Paly, Alexis Knapp, and Nick Thune) for a weekend getaway on a secluded island. There, The Man (Pierce Brosnan), the owner of a bizarre nightclub, sells them Urge, a powerful drug that lets them act out their deepest desires.

Urge is a thriller with horror elements about a drug that makes people run wild. What starts out as a relaxing weekend turns into an orgy of violence as Neil and his friends let the drug carry them away. Urge aims to be a dark and steamy commentary on the animal side of human nature. However, Urge never puts in the legwork to set up interesting character arcs, meaning that twisted sex and senseless violence are all it has to offer.

Urge makes only a token effort to tie its story to any deeper themes. Under the influence of the drug, Neil and his friends tear themselves apart, but the vices they succumb to are picked more for shock value than any insight into the human condition. The escalation is also handled awkwardly; madness simply erupts around the island without any sensible cause. Finally, the mystery surrounding The Man is a weak payoff for what is already a thin story.

As a result, Urge is a movie with limited appeal. Its lurid content is more off-putting than it is enticing, its attempts at meaning fall flat, and it lacks the suspense or sharp twists of a proper thriller. Viewers who are into dark movies for their own sake may get something out of it, but ordinary viewers will find it to be an unpleasant watch without any real compensation.

For a psychological crime drama that deals with similar themes, try Revolver. For a similarly bizarre thriller about a descent into violence, try High-Rise. For a darker and more realistic look at the consequences of drug abuse, try Requiem for a Dream. For a crime movie about a miracle drug, try Limitless. For a budget crime thriller about a group of friends torn apart by their darker impulses, try Money.

4.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.0 for an unconvincing story and misplaced sex appeal.

Today’s quick review: Shattered. Neil (Gerard Butler) and Abby (Maria Bello) Randall lead an idyllic life. Neil is an ad executive on the verge of a promotion, while Abby raises their daughter Sophie (Emma Karwandy) in a luxurious home. But all of that changes when a stranger (Pierce Brosnan) kidnaps Sophie and holds the Randalls at gunpoint. Now Neil and Abby must obey his twisted demands to have any hope of seeing their daughter again.

Shattered is a crime thriller about a couple whose lives are turned upside-down by a sadistic kidnapper. Piece by piece, the kidnapper dismantles everything the Randalls have, beginning with their savings and Neil’s career before moving on to their marriage itself. Shattered gets some good mileage out of this premise, unearthing Neil and Abby’s hidden secrets and exploring just how far they are willing to go to protect their daughter.

Still, in spite of an interesting setup and some nice tension, Shattered is not as polished as it could be. The movie has to walk a difficult line between raw shock value and making sure the kidnapper’s actions actually make sense. Shattered generally handles this balance well, but there are times when it feels like it is going in circles. Likewise, the ending is satisfying enough, but it’s missing the sting that more masterful thrillers have.

Shattered is a solid movie that will appeal to fans of suspense and dark secrets. It’s outclassed by other thrillers that play out similar setups with more skill, but those willing to follow Neil and Abby through the worst day of their lives will find it to be an interesting experience. Steer clear if you prefer thrillers with more options for the main characters.

For a more chilling thriller about a strained marriage, try Gone Girl. For a hostage thriller with a similar setup, try Collateral or The Commuter. For a more action-packed thriller starring Gerard Butler, try Law Abiding Citizen.

6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a tense, well-constructed story that makes a few minor misplays.

Today’s quick review: The Tailor of Panama. Andy Osnard (Pierce Brosnan), a disgraced MI-6 agent, is exiled to Panama, where he recruits Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush), a well-connected tailor with a mountain of debt, as his source of local information. Under pressure from Andy, Harry begins to feed him false information about a brewing revolution. But when Harry’s tall tales take on a life of their own, he discovers principles he didn’t know he had.

The Tailor of Panama is a spy drama with elements of political satire based on the novel by John le Carre. The movie weaves a convoluted web around Harry, a British expat with a knack for lying, and Andy, a self-interested spy willing to do anything for money. The Tailor of Panama also takes shots at British and American foreign policy, showing the misguided policies and attitudes that let Harry’s blatant lies gain traction.

The Tailor of Panama suffers from a few issues that keep it from reaching its full potential. The movie does not set its hook well; its plot starts out slow and aimless until Harry’s false intel gives it direction. Its stylistic quirks—abrupt flashbacks and peeks into Harry’s mind—feel jarring and out of place. And while the movie toys with interesting ideas, its script isn’t sharp enough to make all of them work.

For all of that, The Tailor of Panama does try something unusual and worthwhile. Harry Pendel is a complex figure, a fundamentally decent man wrapped up in a catastrophe of his own making. His character arc starts slowly, but it is rewarding for those who stick it out. Andy Osnard is less compelling but plays an important role. The movie also benefits from a veteran cast that includes Pierce Brosnan, Geoffrey Rush, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Brendan Gleeson.

The Tailor of Panama holds a very specific kind of appeal that won’t work for everyone. Viewers like character-rich stories, low-key comedy, and moral struggles will find the movie to be an interesting experiment, if not an entirely successful one. Those looking for a sharper spy thriller or a more overt comedy will find it a little too weak to be satisfying.

For Pierce Brosnan in a similarly character-driven, morally ambiguous crime move, try The Matador. For an even more satirical story about a chronic liar, try The Informant!. For a more serious spy thriller from John le Carre, try The Deadly Affair or The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

6.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a clever premise and mixed execution.