Home :: DVD :: Art House & International :: Asian Cinema  

Asian Cinema

British Cinema
European Cinema
General
Latin American Cinema
The Accidental Spy

The Accidental Spy

List Price: $14.99
Your Price: $13.49
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 4 5 >>

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Accidental Spy (2000)
Review: I am Jackie's biggest fan and i've watched and enjoyed all of them! This film is not what fans might expect. It is uite serious and quite word but the stunts and fighting scenes are terrific!!!!!! Highlight: when Jackie runs around butt-naked in Turkey!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Sad fan
Review: I am sad. I have seen TAS (the Hong Kong version) and it fully deserves the four stars. Great plot, very tense, exciting with some great drama as well. Wonderful unusual but exciting music, very Turkish in tone, with the closing song by HK singer Jacky Cheung. I highly recommend the HK version. But this one ... I think the US have done it again. It is 86 minutes, the HK version is about 108, so they have chopped it! The music? I don't dare imagine! Why is opium involved? The whole object of the story is the struggle by Jackie to get the "Anthrax II" away from the baddies and rescue the girl! Why do they keep chopping and changing Jackie's movies? It's a shame as a four star movie will probably be reduced to a 2 star.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The only thing funnier than the movie is the cover!
Review: I found this to be a very engrossing Chan film - despite the typically [weak] plot and the evident butchering by Miramax, still the heart of the film shines through, and we have a suprisingly emotional film. And what's this? An actual tear elicited in the film's final third? You'll see what I mean - and one of the most beautiful of the Chan films as well, referring to the Cinematography. All this plus the top notch fight scenes make this a definite must-have for the Chan collector (if you can live with the idea that this is in no way the ORIGINAL film).

But what I REALLY want to mention is the Cover to the DVD. I have to admit I am some kind of a [fool] to have fallen for it. Go on, take a look at it real quick and let's dissect this. We have: 1) Jet Fighters - but the film has no jet fighters in it! 2) A paratrooper - but the film has no paratrooper! Wait, it gets better - we have 3) A hot brunette and an even hotter blonde with a very sexy "shhh, don't tell anyone how sexy I am" pose going on - yes boys, I really looked forward to getting home with this one because of the blonde - but guess what! NO BLONDE! Neither hot chick is in the film!

But best of all, my all around favorite. We have 4) A black man in shades holding up a gun with a big grin on his face. No, he's not in the film either. But, what I love is how obvious the distributors are being here. What black actor do you suppose they hope the stupid masses will think this man is? What black actor who was recently in two hit blockbuster films with Jackie by the name of Rush Hour? Could it be . . . CHRIS TUCKER! Of course, it's not even him on the cover, much less in the film.

Anyway, don't let the bogus cover throw you, it's still a good flick! Not as good as Who Am I? But worth a buy . . .

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: See the original cut already on DVD
Review: I have seen the original cut of this film and it's pretty good, however the Miramax version has eliminated alot. They cut the story down and redubbed it, changing the dynamics of the film. Instead of looking for a new strain of Anthrax, they're looking for Opium. So the urgency of the plot is gone. The new english is track horrible. This film is not the typical buffonery of Jackie's previous efforts, it's a little darker but the english makes an attempt at lightening the mood. They even cut a whole seen at the end! So it goes from a solid 108 minutes to a mere 86 minutes. See the original, it's much better.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: BATMAN
Review: I WROTE THIS BEFORE BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO IT. JACKIE CHAN IS VERY FUNNY IN THIS MOVIE. I'VE NEVER LAUGHED SO HARD AT THAT SPECIAL SCENE IN THE MOVIE(YOU'LL SEE WHAT I MEAN). SEE THIS MOVIE AND FORM YOUR OWN OPINION. SOME MIGHT FIND IT SILLY.
NO MATTER, I ENJOYED IT. I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT TOO...

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: The "butchered" version of HK film
Review: I'm sure most of us who have ever come across, and perhaps even have grown to like, some classic Hong Kong movie (such as Police Story, Drunken Master II), would have heard the not-so-secret about how Miramax/Dimension films bought most of the Hong Kong movies distribution right. It seems like they bought more than just the right the distribute, they have bought the films and, despite the Directors/Filmmakers original intention, they cut it as they see fit.

The problem is, they don't see very well. Without a good understanding of other's cultural background, they simply categorize what they do not understand as redundant. The result are some horrific, hollow effort that will lead the American viewers believe that Hong Kong or other countries are unable to produce quality motion pictures. While Miramax/Dimension are considered to be "Independant Studios" who respect the artisic view of the filmmakers, they are nothing more than bunch of short-sighted, self-righteous hypocrites.

Though they do make an effort to digitally restore/remaster the original film to provide a sharper, clearer image, they more than often largely mutilate the film: creating new, trailor-like (useless and sometime even become spoiler) credit sequence, replacing original music score with cheesy/ridiculous techno, awful dubbing and worst of all, cutting out numerous sequences of the movie. Slap on a laughable cover and it is ready to be re-sold as a Miramax/Dimension production.

To make this long aggravation short, The Miramax/Dimension version of "Accidental Spy" is a perfect example. The cover of the DVD has got nothing whatsoever to do with the film except it features Jackie Chan (Who the hell are the two women holding pistols?). Secondly, 20+ minutes of the film was trimmed (That is the equal length of an episode of "Friends"!), thirdly, a cool(?) titile sequence is inserted basically give away all the stunt and action scenes at the beginning of the film, and finally, though most of the dialogue in this movie are originally English, for the part when the characters are speaking Mandarin/Cantonese, they somehow got Jackie himself to do his own English dubbing, only they are bad, and does not provide the story as it should be (Note: Jackie's Character "Bei" actually has a certain "psychic" power). I mean, they even dubbed the "outtake" sequence, wouldn't you think it's absurd?

I eventually obtained an original version, and enjoyed it much more as I have a better understanding of the characters, or you could say I was into the story more simply because I was not distracted by the dubbing.

The original version even include some "making-of" documentary, cast & crew bio, trailors, and oh! DTS soundtrack (though somehow the DTS track on this disc proved to be a disappointment).

If you somehow got the Miramax/Dimension version, I am sorry but you are not watching this movie as it really should be. I give 2 stars for this version. For the original version, I believe it actually deserve a 4 star rating.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Chan is back, better than ever
Review: International action star Jackie Chan, is back, in the highest Hong Kong budget movie in history, and boy, its worth it. Unlike his latter, 'tamer' Hollywood starred movies, (Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon) and unlike Gorgeous, The Accidental Spy is pure action, Jackie Chan style. Even though people may say age is catching up to Jackie, I'll say other wise. The Accidental Spy, plot wise, is very intriguing with a tad of mystery. The plot shows signs of maturity compared to his other movies, where it may seem linear. In this movie, forgein languages are plentiful, ranging from Cantonese, Manderian, to English and Turkish. But what is a Jackie Chan movie without the language barrier? Even so, the film is very well done. Action wise, too, is very intruiging and it lives up to the standards of Hollywood. A lot of the stunts/fight scenes are fast paced and are very unique, courtesy of Jackie. You'll just have to watch it yourself to catch my drift. This DVD version includes behind ths scenes, character bios, etc. which is always neat to mess around with. There is also a DTS option for those lucky ones with home theatre peripherals. If you're a fan of Jackie Chan or just wanting to watch and own a pure action movie, The Accidental Spy should be it. This film, to my knowledge might be bought to be shown here in the states sometime soon. So i suggest you get your hands on this copy before they chop it up in the American release!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Classic Jackie Chan
Review: Jackie Chan is back again in this fast paced action comedy. The action starts in Hong Kong, where Jackie works as a sales assistant selling exercise equipment. The viewer is immediately thrown into an action packed chase scene where Jackie pursues robbers in a shopping mall. Jackie Chan always makes good use of the props surrounding him, which is always a delight to witness. The action is then tranferred to Korea where he meets his missing Korean father, who worked as a double agent for the Koreans and the Turkish drug lords. Jackie is now involved in the unwrapping of the mystery which surrounded his father. The decoding of a telephone number leads him to a bank in Turkey. Here he is pursued by both Turkish and Korean drug barons who are looking for the Opiate Maxe, a highly addictive drug.

Although the plot is nothing to shout about, the action scenes more than make up for it. The best chasing/fighting scene had me in fits of giggles, when Jackie is chased through a Turkish market naked with nothing but props he picks up on the way to cover his modesty! This is classic Jackie Chan, where the fight scenes are brilliantly orchestrated and with dashing of humour thrown in. One thing I can't figure out is who are the girls on the cover of the DVD. They certainly weren't featured in the film as the two main girls who do paly in the film are orientals.

Lealing

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: very different...
Review: Jackie Chan is talented, i must say. This Film made me stand up and give him some good standing ovation. Storyline was little confusing but his comedic performances covered it. the only part i did not like is there are some parts after the credits. i got tricked so...anywayz.

being a korean and all, i liked the diversity in this film. Min Kim speaks fairly well korean. but the korean subtitles were off( sometimes). BUT it's ok. The action was 6 out of 10. Jackie got slower than his other films but what do u expect? this guy was making movies in the 70s. i stil give him some madd props for doing his own stunt.

ok, here is the storyline. Jackie Chan is a orphan who mysterisouly goes to Korea because some Lawyer had a client that was looking for an orphan that was born in 54. the client turns out to be a korean halahbujee that is dying. he was a notorious spy, then he asks Jackie " do you want to play games with me like father and son?" then it all begins.

Jackie Chan's acting skills are amazing , this was like Heart of the Dragon only less action but Jackie Chan is gettin better at ACtin fa SHO!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An utter delight
Review: Jackie Chan makes Kung Fu movies, and this is his latest. If that turns you off, then, just as I did, you have a delightful surprise in store for you. You see, I thought Kung Fu movies were like American action movies. You know the type: what limp excuse there is for a plot is just an excuse to tie together as many fight scenes, car chases, and explosions as possible in under an hour and a half. The good guy is a little dark, but that's just because he's misunderstood. The bad guys are disgusting, evil caricatures just begging to be removed from the gene pool. Jackie Chan is quite different. For one thing, his tough guy characters are not so much dark and misunderstood as bewildered and bumbling. (How can a guy who does Kung Fu moves like Chan does appear bumbling? I don't know, but if you can imagine a cross between Bruce Lee and Jerry Lewis, Chan is that guy.) Instead of staging everything to make himself look as tough as possible, Chan invites you to laugh at him as he somehow bumbles his way through to victory. For instance, near the end of this film, there is a hilarious sequence I call "the fan dance" where Chan's character, chased out of a Turkish steam bath, tries to fight off the bad guys and keep his private parts covered at the same time. If the sequence doesn't make you gasp at Chan's amazing moves, you will be gasping for breath, simply from laughing so hard. And, yes, Chan's moves are simply amazing. He uses props extravagantly, bouncing and rolling off stairways, balconies, escalators, and other characters. Even knowing that all the moves are choreographed, I find myself amazed that anybody can move like that. And, well, yes, there are fights, car chases, and explosions, but there is this tremendous sense of fun running through it all which makes Chan's films an utter delight.


<< 1 2 3 4 5 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates