The film
follows a young Hong Kong man named Keung, who travels to New York
City in order to attend his uncle's wedding. After agreeing to watch
over his uncle's market in the Bronx while he is away on his
honeymoon, Keung quickly stumbles into a heap of trouble with some
local thugs after confronting a group of them shoplifting. Forced to
defend his uncle's employees and place of business, Keung expertly
takes matters into his own hands and beats up the gang-members, but
this only serves to infuriate them and their leader Tony. Armed with
his wits and his martial arts abilities, Keung must take on the local
gang while desperately trying to keep his new-found friends safe,
including his young neighbor Danny and Danny's beautiful older sister
Nancy.
Jackie
Chan takes on the role of Keung, the soft-spoken Hong Kong native who
just so happens to be a martial arts badass. Jackie is absolutely
explosive in this entry, putting it all on the line as he displays,
with great results, that he is the master of this genre. Coming off
the heels of his masterwork, The Legend of Drunken Master, Chan does
great justice in introducing his style to an international audience.
It's hard to believe that within just three years, Jackie had starred
in City Hunter, Crime Story, Supercop 2, the previously mentioned
Legend of Drunken Master and Rumble in the Bronx, and finally
Thunderbolt, but that is just a testament on how truly hard working
the man is. With Rumble in the Bronx, he showcases his unique style
in a somewhat American setting and focused for American audiences,
and the results are absolutely astounding.
The film
is briskly paced, matching the hyper tempo of Chan's expertly crafted
choreography, making for a film that doesn't dwell too long on the
details, yet rather relishes in presenting the next insane set-piece
and action oriented extravaganza. The style on display is a mish-mash
of Jackie's trademark film cues as he uses everything but the kitchen
sink in his fight scenes, creating some of the most memorable and
creative fight sequences in his rather storied movie career. The raid
on the gang headquarters is one of the most imaginatively
choreographed set-pieces of the film, showcasing Chan as he slips
through grocery carts, tumbles under pinball machines, and climbs up
walls, all the while using inanimate objects like refrigerators,
chairs, and skis as brutal weapons. The action is quick and fierce
and it moves so smoothly that it's impossible to not be impressed at
the skill on display.
The
setting is also rather interesting for this film because we are
basically centered in New York City, particularly the Bronx, or Hong
Kong's version of what the Bronx would be like. It is strangely
represented, having that international flavor on hand thanks to the
diverse crew of Canadian and Hong Kong actors comprising the cast of
New Yorkers. Anita Mui, an extremely talented and accomplished Hong
Kong actress and popstar, takes on the role of Elaine, an associate
of Keung's uncle. In this film she's able to flex her comedic muscles
and display just how endearing she is as an actress. Canadian born
Francoise Yip, also gets some time in the limelight as Nancy the
former gang member turned Keung's love interest. It's not the most
demanding of roles, but her stunning looks and fierce personality
help bring an added kick to the proceedings. The rest of the cast
including Morgan Lam as young Danny and Marc Akerstream as the prick
turned nice guy Tony, and they do a commendable job in bringing the
over the top world to life. Needless to say, the film has its fare
share of wild and expressive characters.
Of
course it wouldn't be a Jackie Chan film if it didn't infuse comedy
into the mix, and with Rumble in the Bronx, Chan hams it up for all
he's worth. As usual, a great deal of slapstick and classic comedy,
in the vein of Charlie Chaplin, is at the root of the film, and it's
all done in good fun. It is a style that has followed Jackie
throughout his entire career and one that he has honed as the years
have gone by. From his early Lo Wei produced work to his modern
American efforts, Chan has always crafted his own unique style of
combining comedy with action and Rumble in the Bronx really nails the
formula, and in some of the oddest of ways. What I love most about
this entry is the energy that it produces. It's infectious, and
Jackie seems to feed off of this as he goes ape shit and pushes his
body to the limits. That's one thing in a Jackie Chan film that you
can always count on, and that is he will go absolutely crazy on the
bad guys by the film's end, and this film is no exception. A true
classic!
Rumble
in the Bronx is an exceptionally good time at the movies and a
perfect example of Jackie Chan's immeasurable talents. As an
introduction to his work, it is a fine stepping stone, and you really
can't go wrong with such an energetic production. Chan is in top
form, showcasing why he is the master of this style of film-making,
and his stunt work and fight choreography in the film is seamless in
its fluidity and ingenuity.
The cast
also matches up perfectly with Chan's vision, pulling out the comedic
punches and maintaining that same exhausting pace and attention to
detail in both expressive performances and relentless action. The
diverse cast is a greatly appreciated addition to the film, and it
helps to set it apart as a unique vision of this fictionalized
version of New York City. Anita Mui, Francoise Yip, Morgan Lam, and
Marc Aderstream do a great job in filling in this world, making it
extremely entertaining and super-charged. That's really the best way
to describe this film... Super-charged. It's fast paced, extremely
expressive, outstandingly outrageous, overtly silly, and marvelously
entertaining. If that's your thing then jump aboard this Jackie Chan
driven crazy train. Rumble in the Bronx is.....
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| Jackie Chan finds out just how shitty New York City is. |
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| Don't do it Danny! Don't pull Uncle Bill's finger! |
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| Oh Anita Mui.... you're so crazy. |
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| Jackie stumbles onto the Mad Max set. Look out Jackie! |
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| That's one badass chick! |
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| Don't make Jackie angry. You won't like him when he's angry. |
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| See what I mean about over expressive! |
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| It's Jackie the zombie! RUN! |
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| Jackie! Stop playing with those man's balls! |
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| Weeeeeeee! |
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| Get some Jackie! |
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| Jackie... you silly, silly man. |
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| Look at this guy! He's a freak of nature! |
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| Strike a pose there's nothing to it.... Vogue! |
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| What the hell did you say about my jean jacket?!?! |
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| Jackie quit clowning around! |
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| Jackie look out! |
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| Oh shit! He's got that look in his eyes again! |
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