The Tuxedo

reviewed by Dave

When I was in college, I attended a journalism conference in Washington, D.C. At these conventions there was always a tradeshow, and at this particular tradeshow there was a booth run by New Line Cinema, where they were hyping the American introduction of the biggest movie star in the world, one Jackie Chan.

The movie was Rumble in the Bronx, and I can't imagine a better introduction to the incredible films of the martial arts master. Jackie has gotten older, however, and now his films rely a little more on comedy and his actual acting skills, and a little less on constant death-defying stunts.

That's not such a bad thing - in fact, it's been proven a successful formula in both the Rush Hour and Shanghai films.

But these films still have a basic understanding of what a good Jackie Chan film has to have, and The Tuxedo, ultimately, does not.

Chan is a capable actor with a very expressive face, but you still don't see a Jackie Chan film just to watch him act - he needs to kick butt. Those responsible for The Tuxedo have completely missed the mark on what Chan's action scenes are supposed to be. It's not enough to have him simply throw a few kicks and punches. He has to do it with style and grace - his best fight scenes have always been more like choreographed dance scenes.

The Tuxedo has a few quick throwaway fight scenes, one of which almost hints at what Chan is capable of, that truly disappoint.

In Chan's American films, the sidekick role is very important. Both Chris Tucker and Owen Wilson have good chemistry with Chan. I'm not really sure that either of them are great actors, but they're at least funny. I can't think of a good female lead to star opposite Chan, but I can think of a bad one, and I bet you can, too.

Quick, name someone who's both a bad TV actress and a bad movie actress. Not only can't she act, but she also has no comedic timing. And when there's been a break in the acting gigs, she's tried her hand at (unsuccessfully) being a pop star. Ladies and gentlemen, you may hate her, but she still has love in her heart and in her name. Here she is, Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Can we finally now all agree that she should never act again? Please?

Throw in an instantly forgettable villain, with a silly plot about contaminating the world's water supply, and you have a film that is relying entirely on Jackie Chan's charm. For a fan, that's enough to make it watchable once, but just barely.

For the uninitiated, this is one of Chan's worst movies. Don't let this be your introduction to the greatest action star in the history of film.