While it certainly will never go down (in my time) as a Jackie Chan classic, his 100th film (if you discount his early bit part roles as a kid) is still a very well made movie that highlights Jackie in a unique - and impressive role.
Void of any kung fu or martial arts, albeit but for a small and short-lived scuffle between Jackie and some goons, 1911 is strictly a war movie. And while I, like pretty much every other fan and critic, had expected some huge return to a Lucky Stars or Dragons Forever type film to celebrate this achievement - I did not see this coming!
In fact, it caught me off guard so much that I initially snubbed the film on its first viewing...
But having since re-watched and gotten over the shock, I can totally appreciate 1911 for what it is. Yes its not perfect - and I obviously do understand that cramming many wars and revolutions, as well as many characters, into 90 minutes to tell the perfect story of just what exactly happened is difficult - but it tries.
Unfortunately in doing so, the story moves along at times like cut scenes from a longer film, with interesting editing choices that just lets it down a little. But not enough to make it unwatchable. In fact, 1911 is a beautifully shot film with some pretty intense war scenes and action full of gritty violence usually unseen in Jackie's films (although the last lot of years have brought us a lot of darker Jackie moments).
I did really like Jackie as Huang Xing. It was a totally different role to anything I had seen him in, and as the fearless resistance leader would have been nice to see him in a bit more action than was presented. I found the film to be drama heavy as the plot hurried on, but I guess for a film celebrating the Centenary of the actual event, it was more important to get a much dialogue and planning into the story - keeping a more patriotic tone to it all. That said, Jackie did an amazing job and gives one of his best performances I think!
It was nice to see Joan Chen pop up as the Empress Dowager and of course see Winston Chao return as the famed Sun Yat-sen. Jaycee Chan and Dennis To pop up for cameo's as soldiers, but they could have been roles played by anyone to be honest.
1911 won't win over everyone, but for those interested in Chinese history, war films or in seeing Jackie on screen - you should definitely give it a go... Overall: A totally different Jackie Chan film, 1911 still impresses for what it is and is worth the watch!
Void of any kung fu or martial arts, albeit but for a small and short-lived scuffle between Jackie and some goons, 1911 is strictly a war movie. And while I, like pretty much every other fan and critic, had expected some huge return to a Lucky Stars or Dragons Forever type film to celebrate this achievement - I did not see this coming!
In fact, it caught me off guard so much that I initially snubbed the film on its first viewing...
But having since re-watched and gotten over the shock, I can totally appreciate 1911 for what it is. Yes its not perfect - and I obviously do understand that cramming many wars and revolutions, as well as many characters, into 90 minutes to tell the perfect story of just what exactly happened is difficult - but it tries.
Unfortunately in doing so, the story moves along at times like cut scenes from a longer film, with interesting editing choices that just lets it down a little. But not enough to make it unwatchable. In fact, 1911 is a beautifully shot film with some pretty intense war scenes and action full of gritty violence usually unseen in Jackie's films (although the last lot of years have brought us a lot of darker Jackie moments).
I did really like Jackie as Huang Xing. It was a totally different role to anything I had seen him in, and as the fearless resistance leader would have been nice to see him in a bit more action than was presented. I found the film to be drama heavy as the plot hurried on, but I guess for a film celebrating the Centenary of the actual event, it was more important to get a much dialogue and planning into the story - keeping a more patriotic tone to it all. That said, Jackie did an amazing job and gives one of his best performances I think!
It was nice to see Joan Chen pop up as the Empress Dowager and of course see Winston Chao return as the famed Sun Yat-sen. Jaycee Chan and Dennis To pop up for cameo's as soldiers, but they could have been roles played by anyone to be honest.
1911 won't win over everyone, but for those interested in Chinese history, war films or in seeing Jackie on screen - you should definitely give it a go... Overall: A totally different Jackie Chan film, 1911 still impresses for what it is and is worth the watch!