Today’s quick review: Railroad Tigers. During the Japanese occupation of China, Ma Yuan (Jackie Chan) leads the Tigers, a band of rebels who harry the Japanese by hijacking trains and supplies. When a dying Chinese soldier passes his mission on to Ma, he takes the Tigers on their most daring raid yet: blowing up a bridge needed by the Japanese army. But to pull it off, the Tigers will need to outwit the sharp Captain Yamaguchi (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi).
Railroad Tigers is a historical Chinese action movie starring Jackie Chan. Railroad Tigers differs from Chan’s usual work in terms of tone and focus. The film has plenty of action, including some acrobatics, but no real martial arts. The plot is fundamentally serious, but likable characters and the humor worked in around the edges keep the tone light and adventurous. And while Jackie Chan leaves the cast, the mission is genuinely a team effort.
Railroad Tigers hits a sweet spot. The combination of a dramatic plot and comedic details makes for a story that moves along briskly but carries meaning. The story itself is a cross between a war movie and a caper that ramps up into an impressive, action-packed finale. The Tigers are brave and endearing without much in the way of dedicated character development, imbuing the movie with heart in a way that’s earnest and effortless.
Railroad Tigers is a solid pick for action fans, those looking for a light adventure, those looking for something with a little weight, and everyone in between. The movie doesn’t reach the heights of comedy Jackie Chan is known for, nor the dramatic depths its wartime setting might suggest. But those willing to roll with the film’s punches will find it to be an effective hybrid and a fun popcorn watch.
For a war drama from Jackie Chan with a more serious tone, try Little Big Soldier. For a similar type of mission in a sci-fi setting and without the comedy, try Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. For a Korean action comedy set in the same era, try The Good, The Bad, The Weird.
5.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a fine balance between action, comedy, and drama.