I give this a 5 because the audience you're with will make a lot of difference. If you consider this as entirely a kid's movie, along the lines of the low budget Disney live action films of the late 60s and 70s like Herbie Goes Bannanas, then you've got a rating of at least 8. This is totally kid friendly in every way. BUT it is also really goofy and the predictability and sappyness borders very closely on the idiotic. So the idiotic fun of the thing will work for little kids, but for adults--the idiocy pretty much dominates. (in fact, the screenplay seems to be at least a quarter century out of date--the bad guys are all Russian for instance). This is obviously a very low budget project, and it bears many of the earmarks of a direct-to-video movie. The first half has a lot of stock footage and a lot of that really annoying digital "swoosh" editing as well as some very stiff acting and cheap sounding music. But it gets better as it goes along. For the first 40 minutes or so I was really afraid that Jackie's American movie career was degenerating into Seagal-VanDamme DTV hell (director LeVant's last and next films are made for video Scooby Doo flicks--not a good sign). But if you stick with this thing past the midway mark, you will be rewarded with some very entertaining Chan fight choreography. Because, even though Jackie now uses more stunt doubles, wires, and CG effects for the action sequences, it is still obvious that he is the one who choreographs these elaborate sequences. They all show his signature style--lots of props, flips, and unexpected physical wackiness.
So little kids will like it. Most over 12 will die of groaning boredom. Jackie Chan fans will find a few worthy rewards.
So little kids will like it. Most over 12 will die of groaning boredom. Jackie Chan fans will find a few worthy rewards.