A Fun-Filled Comedy Trip
Main Cast: Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, Jim Broadbent, Cecile de France
Director: Frank Coraci
Jackie Chan rarely disappoints, and he does a pretty good job in Around the World in 80 Days. He plays valet to Phileas Fogg (Coogan), an eccentric inventor at the turn of the century whose “crackpot” devices pull scorn down from the proper scientists of the Institute, chaired by Lord Kelvin. In a fateful exchange Fogg tells the gaggle of scientists that he can, indeed, make it around the world within 80 days. Lord Kelvin offers his position if Fogg can do it, but has to give up inventing if he fails.
Chan’s character “Passepartout” has a hidden agenda, which comes up later in Around the World in 80 Days, but otherwise he and Fogg make a good team. They are joined by a French artist (France), who wants to see the world. The journey itself is definitely colorful, and we get to see the various countries as they were back then, as well as bump into a number of famous people. CA’s new governor makes an amusing cameo and shows he has a pretty good sense of humor.
The whole thing is fairly light-hearted, with slap-stick action and plenty of chances for Chan to show his stuff. He’s still got it, and once again it’s awe-inspiring to see him in action. The plot is- well, around the world in 80 days, with any number of setbacks and things tossed in their path. The trailing cop was a bit over the top, but other than that, it was darn good fun.
I can recommend Around the World in 80 Days as silly fun and some colorful images on the screen. The plot is enough to keep things aloft, much like the balloon they use as just one of many forms of transportation.
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