Today’s quick review: Battle Creek Brawl. Jerry Kwan (Jackie Chan), a young man living in Chicago, catches the attention of Dominici (Jose Ferrer), a powerful gangster, when Jerry fights off some of Domnici’s toughest men using the martial arts his Uncle Herbert (Mako) taught him. Impressed with Jerry’s talent, Dominici kidnaps his brother’s fiance to force Jerry to compete in the Battle Creek Brawl, a fighting tournament with a hefty cash prize.
Battle Creek Brawl is a martial arts action comedy starring Jackie Chan. Chan’s first movie in America has elements of his usual formula, including a plucky but rash hero and inventive stunt work with a comedic twist. However, it is also less developed than some of his other work, with a pared-down plot, a lower density of jokes, and less ambitious stunts.
Battle Creek Brawl has some clear limitations, beginning with its plot. The premise has some potential as a story with personal conflict and triumph, but the movie skips all of the tension and development needed to make that happen. Instead, it uses Jerry’s predicament to motivate the action and otherwise ignores it, even leaving some major plot threads unresolved. The result is a story that only does the bare minimum to reach the finale.
But within that framework, Battle Creek Brawl manages to be enjoyable. The fighting gets off to a slow start, but as the fights get larger and more elaborate, Chan’s acrobatic prowess finally gets the chance to shine. The tournament itself is a series of sprawling battles with the right mix of danger and levity. And while the film’s humor is not as well-developed as Chan’s later work, it is enough to keep the tone light.
Battle Creek Brawl does not have the raw appeal of Jackie Chan’s best work, but it is an enjoyable pick nonetheless. Give it a shot if you are in the mood for athletic stunts with a comedic bent and don’t care too much about the plot. Skip it if you are looking for a movie with depth.
For Jackie Chan in a similar role, check out Rumble in the Bronx. For a more robust action comedy from Chan, this time set in historical China, try Drunken Master or The Legend of Drunken Master. For an action adventure with a similar kidnapping plot, fantasy elements, and a tongue-in-cheek tone, try Big Trouble in Little China.
[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080436/). I give it a 6.5 for decent action with a weak scaffolding.