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MR. NICE GUY is the new film from Jackie Chan-- you know, the che- ery Asian action hero who does his own stunts and then proves that fact in the closing credits, when an outtake reel is customarily run? Here, while battling bad guys in Australia, Chan leaps off bridges, hangs from moving carriages, straddles powered-on power saws, and, in the movie's most breathtaking moment, walks backwards on all fours, mere inches from the rolling wheels of a giant dump truck. Per usual, the stunts and meticulously choreographed fight scenes take precedence over plot. (Chan and Company are pursued by drug dealers, who were caught on videotape and didn't like it.) Though the dubbing is less wacky than usual, the acting, particu- larly on the supporting front, is still laughably bad. So, at least you'll get a few chuckles between stunts. The only *real* caveat is director Samo Hung's incessant overuse of slow-motion. One way or another, he manages to sap momentum in nearly every sin- gle (action) scene. Sigh. (Rated "PG-13"/87 min.) Grade: C- Copyright 1998 Michael J. Legeros Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros
Originally posted to triangle.movies
in MOVIE HELL: March 22, 1998