RUMBLE IN THE BRONX
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1996 Michael John Legeros
(Fine Line)
Directed by Stanley Tong
Written by Edward Tang, from a story by Stanley Tong and Ma
Mei-ping
Cast Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Bill Tung
MPAA Rating "R" (presumably for violence)
Running Time 95 minutes
Reviewed at Wynnsong 10, Durham, NC (23FEB96)
==
Asian superstar Jackie Chan is just a-kickin' and a-grinnin' through this cheery, cheesy martial-arts comedy about a lone Nice Guy (Chan) who must defend his friends against a rude biker gang. Add a slinky love interest, some stolen diamonds, and a runaway hovercraft (!), and you've got a recipe for some seriously hokey fun. (And I mean *hokey*: this Bronx is flanked by mountains and sports the occasional palm tree!)
RUMBLE IN THE BRONX is Chan's second attempt to break into the American film market and he might just make it this time. Despite the erratic pacing and some hilariously bad dubbing, RUMBLE is so relentlessly good-natured that you can do little more than groan and laugh. Also adding to the amusement factor is the foreknow- ledge that Chan does all of his own stunts, and only after director Stanley Tong attempts each one, himself! (Check the blooper reel, at the end, for a run-down of who broke what during filming.)
Given the overall slap-happy construction, snooty action fans may scoff at this stuff. Sure, directors like James Cameron and Jan DuBont are choreographing equally impressive physical feats, but not with the raw effort of Mr. Chan. He's a one-man arsenal of fury and fun. However awful the film around him may seem, he's as bright a movie star as the world currently knows. Recommended.
Grade: B-
--
Mike Legeros - Raleigh, NC
legeros@nando.net (h) - legeros@unx.sas.com (w)
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