Jackie Chan with a serious face all the way, not seen in many years

Dean 2021-12-18 08:01:04

The name "British Showdown" is first misunderstood. It is naturally a marketing need to translate it into Chinese, but it is easy for the audience to preconceived that this is another Jackie Chan action comedy for the family. Perhaps this is a British version of "Kung Fu Yoga". I thought that at first, so I didn't have any expectations for the movie. I went to the movie theater after I learned that the situation was not the case.

This movie is simply a big surprise hidden in the National Day archives. It is necessary to explain that this is not a Chinese movie. In terms of genre, this is a political thriller. Under the cold camera, all parties are wrestling with each other secretly, and Jackie Chan exists as a spoiler. Every character seems to be shrouded in clouds, everything seems heavy. The main story is simple, but the amount of information involved is large and needs to be digested after watching the movie.

Similar to the real background and characters of "Chasing the Dragon", the film is also based on a completely real background. The main concern is the historical entanglement between Britain and Ireland, with Northern Ireland caught in the middle. This kind of geopolitical thing is too far away from the Chinese audience, which may cause some understanding barriers. As for the reason for its sudden popularity in China, it is mainly because of the (positive) key role played by the Chinese character played by Jackie Chan in the film. He is a small person, but he has had a major impact on this multi-party game, and his motives are very simple, but he can move people with emotion. His series of actions reminded me of the famous saying of a certain swordsman: "If you don't give me an explanation, I will give you an explanation."

This serious movie needs to calm down and watch. The dramatic tension is very strong, but it is not the kind of commercial movie with a flat design. There is a serious-faced Jackie Chan that has not been seen for many years. The last time I felt this way was probably the "Shinjuku Incident". In terms of action, it is not that the hero is late to show, it is more that the sword is not old. The "First Blood"-style jungle duel is specially designed for Jackie Chan. This movie may define Jackie Chan at the end of his career.

Although the atmosphere is not right, "British Showdown" has been recognized for its excellent quality (both box office reputation). Especially in terms of film skills, shots, scene scheduling, atmosphere creation, and rhythm control, Martin Campbell is indeed a very mature director. There is not much to say about these things at first, but compared with a few Chinese movies in the National Day archives, it seems too outrageous. This is making a movie.

Pierce Brosnan’s role is based on the Irish Sinn Fein party Gerry Adams, which has a high degree of reduction. Therefore, the film's reference to reality is still very strong. By the way, English with an Irish accent is very distinctive and full of presence.

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Extended Reading
  • Stephania 2022-03-26 09:01:06

    This is definitely one of the best and most recommended films in recent times. The story is fascinating, the characters are real and palpable, the narration is calm and moderate, and the style is cold and restrained. The fly in the ointment is also obvious. The two lines of Long Ge's action revenge and Nan Ge's political suspense are basically separate and integrated, and they have not been able to interact more closely, deeply and forcefully. , with the escalation of revenge actions to uncover the hidden political shady layer by layer.

  • Shana 2022-03-27 09:01:09

    Jackie Chan looks almost eighty, but still can't mess with it

The Foreigner quotes

  • Liam Hennessy: You killed my dog.

    Quan Ngoc Minh: Dog's fine. Just sleeping.

  • Quan Ngoc Minh: [opens coat] I'm wearing a bomb. Anyone comes in, I touch it one, then we die. Now, give me the names.

    Liam Hennessy: They claim to be IRA, but I don't know who they really are. I'm doin' everything I can to find out who's responsible.

    Quan Ngoc Minh: [puts gun to Hennessy's head] You're lying! Who killed my daughter?

    Liam Hennessy: I'm sorry! I truly don't know yet!

    Quan Ngoc Minh: [pause] The explosive the bombers use, it's Semtex-H?

    Liam Hennessy: [nervous] Yes. Yes. You know about Semtex?

    Quan Ngoc Minh: I know Semtex-H. During the war Czechs make for the army. Good for bombs and traps.

    Liam Hennessy: In Vietnam?

    Quan Ngoc Minh: Yes. Many American people died by Semtex-H. Now, IRA use to kill my daughter. That's ironic.

    Liam Hennessy: I've read your history. We both know about war. We've both tried to put it behind us. You and me, we're alike.

    Quan Ngoc Minh: [backhands Hennessy in the face] We are NOTHING alike. You're NOTHING! You kill women and children! NAMES!

    Liam Hennessy: To Almighty God, I don't know!

    Quan Ngoc Minh: [cocks the gun]

    Liam Hennessy: WAIT! Wait! I've set a trap for them when they use the next bomb. When they claim responsibility for the next bombing, they'll use a code word, telling the police they're IRA. I've changed that code word. So when they use it, I'll know.

    Quan Ngoc Minh: [lowers the gun] You have one day.

    Liam Hennessy: ...what if they don't set off a bomb by then?

    Quan Ngoc Minh: Twenty-four hours.

    [leaves]

    Liam Hennessy: ...Jesus. Oh, Jesus, sweet Jesus.