THE ACCIDENTAL SPY
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
THE ACCIDENTAL SPY (TE WU MI CHENG), which was released theatrically in most of the world last year, comes to the United States this month on DVD and videotape. It stars the world's favorite comedic martial artist, the beloved Jackie Chan (SHANGHAI NOON).
This time Jackie, whose character is conveniently called Jackie Chan, is given a part that is as serious as it is comical. Jackie, an orphan, is called to the bedside of the dying father whom he never knew. His father, a famous, Korean double agent, sends him off on a game with a cross and a key as clues.
Along the way, Jackie gets to befriend a beautiful young drug addict, Yong (Vivian Hsu), as well as battle his usual bevy of bad boys. What is always so endearing about Jackie is that you can easily feel his pain, which is genuine since he does his own stunts. He also manages to look genuinely surprised at his skills, no matter how many fights he wins. He is truly an everyman superhero.
The funniest escape occurs in a market in Istanbul, where most of the story is set. Finding himself naked, he uses everything from tambourines to sheets to try to keep himself covered while still fighting. The movie ends in a long sequence about a tanker trunk that is on fire. Like the rest of the movie, it is exhilarating, funny and fun.
THE ACCIDENTAL SPY runs 1:27. The film is in dubbed English. It is rated PG-13 for "strong action violence, some drug content and nudity" and would be acceptable for kids around 10 and up.
My son Jeffrey, age 13, gave it ***, saying that he thought it was funny and had cool stunts.
The movie is available now on DVD and videotape.
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