Jackie Chan's First American Release - A Lot of Fun!
K.H. | 09/12/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Warner Bros thought Jackie Chan might be the next big Kung Fu star after Bruce Lee's death - they were right, just 15 years too early. This film was directed by Robert Clouse and released in the USA in 1980. Unfortunately, in the early 1980's, American audiences were not ready for Jackie Chan's comedic/fighting style and/or two martial arts stars at the same time (Chuck Norris already at three profitable films under his belt).
This film, however, is a gem. It is funny, reasonably well directed, and the acting is actually very good. Jackie and Mako produce good chemistry as Uncle/teacher (Make) and nephew/student (Chan). Jose Ferrer is good as the gangster who coerces Chan into entering the winner take all fight in Battle Creek Texas.
The fight scenes, although not great, are fun and the last 25 minutes is almost pure action and it is here where Jackie is most fun to watch. Originally released as the Big Brawl, this is a good movie and in today's movie rating system, it would at most bring in a PG-13 rating, so disregard the "R" rating on the DVD sales.
"
Old but still good
Robert W. Pace | 08/28/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This, "The Protector", and "Jackie Chan's Police Force" were the first Jackie Chan films I saw as a kid. Granted the other two were better films (especially "Police Force"), but I really liked the humor in the film. The story was good and Jackie was funny as always and Mako (his uncle) was funny too. The action was toned down quite a bit for a Jackie chan movie not as fast paced or as hard hitting, but over all it was enjoyable. Just remember this was one of his first movies here."
This is my all time favorite Jackie Chan movie!
Jackie Chan Fan | Seattle, WA, USA | 05/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first saw this movie about 5 or 6 years after it was made when I was only 15 years old (i.e., a LONG time ago). It was the first movie Jackie made in the U.S. And it is my favorite. I instantly fell in love with Jackie when I saw this movie. Maybe I like it so much because it's more of a "chick-flick" than his other movies. I love the funny romantic seens between Jackie and his American girlfriend in this movie. I love the roller derby scenes. And I drool over Jackie's muscles at the opening scene when he shows off his gymnastic talents on the scaffolding.
Also, I don't think he played a Korean immigrant in this movie. His father speaks some Chinese in the movie."
No good fight scenes, so yeah it sucks and deserves a 2/5.
morgoth | omaha, NE | 03/13/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Robert clouse is certainly one fo the worst directors of all-time, I mean it only took jackie like 17 years to be in an american movie again. I have to admit that jackie himself is very enjoyable in this movie, and so is the great mako. But the direction he is under fails completely. The only scenes that I enjoyed were the nonfighting action scenes like jackie roller skating, or looking at the white girl showing some nice skin. But this is not why I picked this up, it said that it was gonna be a big brawl and it sounded like it was gonna be a tournament, but once again robert clouse can't even make a better movie than china obrien."