Jackie Chan's new movie is not an action kung fu flick. This time out he has followed up his dramatic turn in the Karate Kid with a twist on Scarface. He plays an illegal alien (from China) who enters Japan in a spectacular opening: A sinking ocean liner in the background and hundreds of illegal Chinese on the sand. A cop arrives and the illegals scatter.

Chan ends up in the Chinese section of town that is run by the Taiwan Mafia. Other Asian gangs, including the Yakuza, are feuding over this territory. Chan leads the illegals in a revolt against the Yakuza and is given control over the Chinese territory by the Taiwan Mafia leader. As usual, absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's a treat watching Chan's good intentions slowly go awry.

Lots of gore, machete battles, but held together by a great plot and Chan's nice acting. Just as Jet Li's acting turn in Warlords shows that old action stars still have some cinematic life in them, so too does Chan show there's more to movies than beating up a bunch of guys without a stuntman.

AC

I saw a preview for this and was intrigued. Sounds like I may have to check it out. Thanks for the review.