Genres

Visitors Review

rob-tristram-218-656649 2012-05-25 07:12:06

Brilliant Very Funny and Entertaining

I just saw this film for the first time on television and thought itwas brilliant. What absolutely shocked me was to see the number ofreviewers giving it very low ratings, not because they don't thinkSteve Coogan is funny (perhaps they aren't familiar with Alan Partridgelike most UK respondents), or because they don't like to see JackieChan's fights (in which case why did they go and see a Jackie Chanmovie) but because... the film wasn't true to the Novel?! Can't theylighten up?You won't find anyone who objects more than me to distortion of storiesout of all recognition, making up false history, or even breaking thelaws of nature ...but in a serious reasonably believable film, not inpure fantasy comedy.

keVin-19 2012-05-24 11:53:53

Pure fun !!! Unexpectedly entertaining...

I just saw this movie today and this movie is purely fun and entertaining towatch. I was rather surprised by the flop at the box office. But anyway,maybe because my expectation was low, i truly find this movie enjoyable towatch. The movie is quite fast pace to me but since it's a race of time,should be this way isn't it? Karen Mok as the bad girl is cool and i thinkSteve Cogan did very well in his role. Jackie was his usual funny guy role.So all in all, i don't feel bored at all when i watched this movie. Althoughsome of the gadgets inside this movie might be ridicuolous considering itsnot set in modern world. But i guess you'll just have to leave your brainsbehind and just simply enjoy this show. Rush Hour still the bestanyway...6 out of 10.

Rollo Tomassi 2012-05-21 12:03:11

Take a trip, Just don't pay full fare

This movie is a bit silly and simple and many times it was ridiculous.The special effects, when used to transition between map destinations,were bright and colorful. The casting was done well. The Jackie Chanfights were great and there were enough of them. Steve Coogan washilarious as Fogg. Ewen Bremmer as Inspector Fix was awesome, eventhough I did not quite understand him most of the time. I wish Ewen hadmore screen time. Of course this remake would have to include thecameos like the original. I just wish there were more cameos in it. Allin all I liked it and would watch it again. Not sure if it is worthbuying when it comes out on DVD, but I would rent it and watch itagain.

a_gazibarov 2012-05-20 22:20:41

What about reading books, gentlemen?

If Jules Verne is just a French name with too many letters for you,than you would like the film: funny situations, Jackie Chan fighting asusual, a bit of love, and a lot of absurdities (like a small Chinesechild speaking Engish in the middle of China).Maybe Jules Verne is just a French name with too many letters for thescript writer, the director, and the producer? Or maybe these gentlemenconsider themselves something more than the great French writer? Mr.Fogg cannot just be a boring London gentleman who fired his servantbecause he warmed his water with 0.1 degrees less than required. Hecannot bet just for fun. He shall be something. Let him be a crazyinventor! Passepartout cannot just roam seeking a job. Let him be athief. Let him be a Chinese thief! What do Chinese do? They fight! Andnow we have a subplot Mr. Verne has never dreamt of. It is notinteresting saving Princess Auda from being buried alive. Let her be aFrench artist named Monique.And, the Grand Finale! Deus ex machina! Queen Victoria playing theclown. "You have 24 hours more, Phileas!" - "Oh, really! Than I havewon the game, because I didn't take into account the date switchmeridian". And everybody's happy! Read books, gentlemen! Especiallyclassic books, as Jules Verne's Le tour du monde en 80 jours.

Jim Slotek 2012-05-13 22:09:29

Passes the parental test in that it has wit, is cinemagraphically loaded with scenic eye candy and moves along at an energetic enough pace to keep seat-squirming to a minumum.

Eric Lurio 2012-05-13 12:53:12

This is something slightly different, but only because it's offensive at so many levels.

DrLenera 2012-05-13 05:53:39

Sometimes critics really are blind-a terrific,fun romp

Sometimes a film comes along that just sets out to be good ,funentertainment, and on that level succeeds, and yet the critics pounce on it.Such a case is with this film. No, it's not Jules Verne, nor is it much likethe 1956 film version, but, horror of horrors, this version is in some waysbetter. The older version was enjoyable, but was for much of the time moreof a travelogue than an actual film, despite having David Niven at his mostdebonair. Here, the actual travelling is thankfully kept to aminimum.Yes, things have been considerably altered to include Jackie Chan andmartial arts, and the whole subplot of him and the stolen Buddha is notentirely necessary, but neither the book nor the other film version HAD muchplot, Phileas Fogg and Passpetou simple travel around the world and havevarious experiences, and that's it. This version adds a great many laughs,lots of action and even a greater sense of time, both in depicting thejourney around the world and in placing it all in a historical perspective.The sometimes annoying Steve Coogan is genuinely funny and his tentativeromance with the leading lady is sweet, while Chan's trademark combinationof martial arts and slapstick features some of his best American work,although fans of his Hong Kong films will notice bits of other films beingreworked, for instance Young Master's bench fight or Miracles' rope work.Even the film's look is good, it's great to see a bright and colourful filmset in the past for a change, and one great aspect had remained from the 50sversion, the often amusing cameos.One aspect does not really work- the deliberately cartoony insertions whichshow the character's travelling. But this is a terrific fun romp ,and don'tbelieve any stupid critic that tells you otherwise!

bandjalder 2012-05-12 15:47:11

I have seen all the Around the World movies and have enjoyed them all!

We Americans export our movies to all foreign countries. The profits werake in are proof that they accept us. Are we so small minded andselfish that we can't enjoy a fun movie even if it doesn't feature oneof our leading American stars? If an international cast and crew wereever called for, then Around the World in 80 Days 2004 is it! I haveseen all the Around the World movies including Around the World in 80Days 2004 and I have enjoyed them all! This movie is an example of howAmericans, Chinese, English, French, Austrian, German, and Thaicraftsmen can all work together and create some good, clean, fun,entertainment! I saw Around the World in 80 Days last night,I am anadult and I absolutely had fun at this movie. It is a good movie thatdeserves to be viewed by all age groups. Jules Verne novels can befound at your local library. They are also fun!

Nell Minow 2012-05-10 19:29:37

Chan seems tired, even distracted, impatient to get it all over with. I was, too.

Bob Townsend 2012-05-10 07:55:08

A dead-on-arrival movie idea.

John Anderson 2012-05-08 19:24:08

To say that all this is painfully contrived is to suggest that Verne's tale wasn't, but at least the novel had some tension.

almagz 2012-05-08 16:15:15

Three Stooges meet Tom and Jerry

Mercifully I fell asleep after thirty minutes of this stupid farce. Isuspect I will return the DVD without seeing the rest of it though I ama bit curious about the performance of our governor in it.This movie is representative of the malaise that seems to have infecteda goodly percentage of our cinematic product. We have wonderful visualand other technical tools at our disposal but often waste them tobludgeon the viewer with endless car chases, flaming explosions andillusionary martial arts. The result is usually a cross, as is in thecase of this movie, between a Three Stooges comedy and a Tom and Jerrycartoon.Those of us who have progressed to the point where we like to laugh andpossibly think at the same time cannot always be soothed by the thoughtwhat we're watching has been 'dumbed down' for the family. We're partof the family too, and often are the ones paying for the tickets. ThisDisney offering falls into the category of those that back in my youthparents used to drop off their children to (usually a matinée and partof a double or even triple feature) along with a dollar each to spendon candy, often to be used as projectiles aimed at fellow attendees.The parents did not usually go with them. It would have given them aheadache.Shame on you Walt Disney, for it was not the children that gave me theheadache on this occasion. It was all that mindless stupid action inyour movie. PS I noticed there was an "alternate beginning" choice on the DVD. Wasthere an "alternate" entire movie as well? Maybe I'll go back andcheck.

Bill Muller 2012-05-04 19:22:25

Except for little kids and relatives of the cast, there's not much appeal to this numbing remake.

Oak Owl 2012-05-04 12:04:47

Really ghastly

Not funny, and none of the spectacular scenery of its 1956 predecessor.Phineas Fogg is played by an unknown who deserves to stay unknown. Hespeaks his lines as if they filmed at the first cold reading. Dull.Dull. Dull. Jackie Chan is wasted as Passepartout. His role has nohumor, no dramatic action/stunts. Why?What might have been charming or a clever parody was insteadmind-numbingly dull. Those of us who assembled for a Friday nightpizza-and-movies assumed the "French woman" was doing a really badimitation of zumeone who izz, ow you say et? Franche. We were stunnedto discover from IMDb that she really IS French. And the Governator'scameo was simply disgusting. Save your cents/sense. Rent the original instead.

2012-05-03 18:44:00

Around The World In 80 Cameos!

Solid, family friendly fare that will definitely get more than one spin in your DVD library.Jackie Chan headlines a strong international cast in this retelling and reshaping of the literary classic. Prepare to be dazzled by exotic locales and frenetic action scenes along with Chan's signature brand of gymnastic, comedic martial arts wizardry. What may be most fun are the loads of cameos from superstars like Arnold Schwarznegger to both Owen and Luke Wilson to a blink or you'll miss her appearance by quirky pop vocalist Macy Gray.The disc's animated menus have the same colorful flair as many of the fanciful transitions found in the movie and there are great supplemental extras to be explored. True literary purists may balk at the departure from the novel, however the rousing spirit of adventurous discovery combined with real and plentiful belly laughs will keep you cheering for the good guys right onto the finish line!Highly recommended.

Dan Bishop 2012-05-03 10:45:50

A fine summer movie

I saw the movie on 6/17 with my wife and 9-year-old daughter. I thinkit's a fine summer movie and will be very enjoyable for any family. Idon't recall hearing a swear word in the movie, although I can't swearthat there isn't one.My bottom line - the movie is not profound. It is, however, a veryenjoyable, summer, popcorn-crunching movie. This version mainly focuseson the subplot of Jackie Chan's character, which is a good runningsubtext to the main event of traveling around the world.I enjoyed the movie so much I promptly went out and rented the originalversion. I took it back after watching about an hour and being bored tosleep by it. This is not to totally disrespect the original - it wassimply made in a different time, when audiences had more explained tothem, and on a slower timetable. The original seems to be more of atravelogue, showcasing beautiful vistas around the world, where the newDisney version actually HAS a plot.In the original, Fogg is an anal-retentive time-watcher, and hissidekick little more than the action and hands behind his stiffperformance. The Disney version has Fogg as an inventor with a varietyof rather silly inventions, with Chan's character as a good foil.Some will probably say Chan's fighting scenes are typical, and I wouldagree. It all comes down to whether you are a Jackie Chan fan or not.If you are, you enjoy his slapstick-style of fighting and using oddobjects around him as he fights. If you aren't a Jackie Chan fan, stayaway as this movie heavily features his abilities. In fact, Chan hastop star billing as his name is credited first at the movie's start.Lastly, if you are a fan of the long-winded original, you probably willbe horrified with the changes this Disney version makes. But foreveryone else, this movie moves along quickly and provides a fun ride.

Mike McGranaghan 2012-05-01 22:58:42

The style of humor - with its forced high jinks and pathetic attempts at farce - is so aggressively outrageous that it ultimately becomes abusive to the audience.

Mary Lasse 2012-05-01 13:18:35

I was amazed at how little actually happens for a movie with so much action.

Lisa Rose 2012-04-25 03:56:48

A journey worth taking.

Hunky Stud 2012-04-24 10:33:42

funny with a little stereotype.

Overall, this movie is funny, creative and entertaining. I especiallylike how they used computer animated sceneries to describe journeysbetween countries. I also liked the fact that they used the Frenchmusic at the beginning of the French journey. They could have used somenice Chinese music when the three were in China.One thing that I didn't like is the costume, face and hair design forthat bad Chinese woman and those few killers. Those designs are sooutdated. They remind me of those old movies in the 50's or even early.They could have brought someone from China to design those costumes,etc. That would be more authentic, and less stereotyping.Like Jackie Chan's other movies, the Chinese males in those movies allhad long hair because they were in the Qing Dynasty in China. However,we all know what those movies described were pure fantasies. I don'tfeel that there is a need to be authentic which may only perpetuate thestereotype that people have about Chinese. How about making some moviesabout Chinese from the Tang dynasty even though it is timelyimpossible. A fantasy is just a fantasy. However, a good imaginarymovie could be a timeless classic.