Around the world in 80 days
This film, though entertaining, will be disappointing to anyone who has in fact read the actual book, by Jules Verne. If you want a few laughs, do go watch it. But prepare to have the image of the book spoilt.
The actual Phileas Fogg was a almost a human robot, with an idiosyncrasy for precision and punctuality. Although this trait has been kept, he has now been turned into an inventor, who can almost be labelled crackpot, though efficient. The French, bewildered, but ever loyal Passepartout, has been replaced by a Chinaman played (of course) by Jackie Chan, connecting up the story of a Chinese Buddha being stolen, and Chan being tasked with returning it to his village. The film makes Chan be the cause of Phileas Fogg actually embarking on his famous voyage around the world, as it is supposedly the fastest way for Chan to return home (after having stolen the Idol back again from the Bank of England). Of course, a film produced by Chan wouldn’t be complete without the opportunity for him to display his martial art skills - which we see a few times throughout the movie.
My rating for the movie: 3.5 out of 10
