The aging Jackie Chan's greatest dilemma has been finding a way to stay a star without doing the stunts that made him one. It's a tough balancing act to offer just enough of his trademark action to satisfy fans without shattering his bones, and Chan hits the sweet spot with this one.
Apparently he originally wanted to make this movie 20 years ago, at which point he would have played the general, but instead he plays the old soldier. Chan is not the typical martial arts wizard of his other films, he's an aging farmer and while he has some skills, he is outclassed by almost everyone, getting injured and sometimes surviving through sheer luck. There's only one of those full-on Chan humorous battles, with most of the big fights being more straight ahead combat by others.
But even though the movie has little of the humorously choreographed Chan is known for, the movie has many strengths. It is gorgeously shot - clearly a big budget film. Chan is likable (although in the dubbed version I was distracted by his sounding a little like Ronald Coleman, which seems inappropriate for a peasant). There are some exciting battles, some good performances, a few surprises, and some lovely moments.
There are also some oddities, like the introduction of a female who's part is too big to be considered a walk by but too small to make her seem like part of the movie. I'm not sure what that's all about.
Overall, Chan did a good job of keeping in the game without killing himself.
Apparently he originally wanted to make this movie 20 years ago, at which point he would have played the general, but instead he plays the old soldier. Chan is not the typical martial arts wizard of his other films, he's an aging farmer and while he has some skills, he is outclassed by almost everyone, getting injured and sometimes surviving through sheer luck. There's only one of those full-on Chan humorous battles, with most of the big fights being more straight ahead combat by others.
But even though the movie has little of the humorously choreographed Chan is known for, the movie has many strengths. It is gorgeously shot - clearly a big budget film. Chan is likable (although in the dubbed version I was distracted by his sounding a little like Ronald Coleman, which seems inappropriate for a peasant). There are some exciting battles, some good performances, a few surprises, and some lovely moments.
There are also some oddities, like the introduction of a female who's part is too big to be considered a walk by but too small to make her seem like part of the movie. I'm not sure what that's all about.
Overall, Chan did a good job of keeping in the game without killing himself.