Typical mid '90s Jackie Chan production, relocated to America to coincide with the first US cinema release for a Chan movie. The fairly basic plot sees newcomer Chan struggling with the culture gap between the US and China and also falling foul of a roving street gang, who ride the streets in buggies and dress like they're extras in MAD MAX 2. Things become more serious when a local mafia deal goes wrong and Chan accidentally finds himself in possession of some priceless stolen diamonds which the mafia want to get back at all costs. Eventually Chan must team up with the street gang, his former enemies, to combat the deadly serious foe. Yep, basically the same old story.
The plot is simplistic in the extreme and doesn't need to be anything else. As is usual for a Jackie Chan film, the movie is littered with comedy, some of which works and some of which is a bit silly. But what counts is the action, and the fight scenes here are up there with the best of Chan. The best action comes when Chan fights members of the street gang and uses multiple props to defend himself; my favourite fight occurs in their base where he fights with fridges, tables, trolleys and the like. Chan is on top form with his super-fast martial arts skills and the action comes thick and furious just like in the old days. The finale involves a ludicrous speedboat chase through the streets of New York which makes for some fine spectacle, although I was kind of hoping Chan would get to fight some of those huge mafia guys but alas they are captured all too quickly.
The acting is nothing special but perfectly serviceable where it counts. Chan himself is fine in the part but it can hardly be called a stretch for the actor, basically he just plays himself again, an innocent fighting for the cause of good. Chan here surrounds himself with some able Chinese beauties including the sweet Anita Mui and the feisty Francoise Yip, a Cat III star back in Hong Kong. The bad guys strive to be threatening but - despite speaking English - their dubbed voices don't really work all that well. Look out for a welcome cameo from Bill Tung, one of Chan's oldest co-stars. Director Stanley Tong once again invests his movie with plenty of dynamism and exciting situations, making this a solid feature from Chan. While it doesn't rank as one of his best there are no major errors with this movie and fans will be perfectly satisfied, as I was.
The plot is simplistic in the extreme and doesn't need to be anything else. As is usual for a Jackie Chan film, the movie is littered with comedy, some of which works and some of which is a bit silly. But what counts is the action, and the fight scenes here are up there with the best of Chan. The best action comes when Chan fights members of the street gang and uses multiple props to defend himself; my favourite fight occurs in their base where he fights with fridges, tables, trolleys and the like. Chan is on top form with his super-fast martial arts skills and the action comes thick and furious just like in the old days. The finale involves a ludicrous speedboat chase through the streets of New York which makes for some fine spectacle, although I was kind of hoping Chan would get to fight some of those huge mafia guys but alas they are captured all too quickly.
The acting is nothing special but perfectly serviceable where it counts. Chan himself is fine in the part but it can hardly be called a stretch for the actor, basically he just plays himself again, an innocent fighting for the cause of good. Chan here surrounds himself with some able Chinese beauties including the sweet Anita Mui and the feisty Francoise Yip, a Cat III star back in Hong Kong. The bad guys strive to be threatening but - despite speaking English - their dubbed voices don't really work all that well. Look out for a welcome cameo from Bill Tung, one of Chan's oldest co-stars. Director Stanley Tong once again invests his movie with plenty of dynamism and exciting situations, making this a solid feature from Chan. While it doesn't rank as one of his best there are no major errors with this movie and fans will be perfectly satisfied, as I was.