Jackie Chan takes on New York in action-packed `Rumble in the Bronx'
In keeping with his legacy, Jackie Chan resumes his acting career with a stunning performance in the long-awaited action-comedy, Rumble in the Bronx. Consistent with Chan's past films, Rumble is packed with clumsy humor and death-defying stunts performed by Chan himself.
As a Hong Kong cop on vacation, Chan arrives in New York City to attend his uncle Bill's wedding. His plans include relaxing, sight-seeing and helping out in the family grocery store. Little does he know what the future holds in store for him.
It all starts when Chan's uncle sells the store to an unsuspecting entrepreneur named Elaine, played by Anita Mui. What Elaine doesn't know is that her newly-purchased store will soon become the target of a motorcycle gang that refuses to quit. When Chan tries to help defend Elaine's store, this merely aggravates the problem.
Several fight scenes later, Chan emerges victorious from his rivalry with the gang. Peace and quiet barely get a chance to set in before the fighting erupts again. This time, however, Chan is up against a tougher opponent -- the mob.
Chan gets accused of being in possession of some diamonds stolen from the mob. What follows is somewhat unbelievable -- the mob demolishes Elaine's store and holds Chan's friends captive. The culmination is a remarkable chase scene involving a hovercraft.
Rumble , which comes off as more of an action film, is funny, too. In many action scenes, Chan's creativity when using normal household items -- such as refrigerators -- as weapons for self-defense evokes laughter. Another particularly comical scene takes place when Chan is helping out his uncle at the grocery store. Chan doesn't realize that a mirror he's flexing his muscles in front of is actually a one-way window for the office where Bill is negotiating the sale of his store with Elaine.
Masked in comedy, Rumble 's moral dilemma is real: Chan must decide whether to ignore the cries of anguish echoing through the alleys of the Bronx (having only to answer to his conscience) or to answer the calls for help (and answer to the bad guys). In a world where heroes are hard to come by, Chan provides a positive role model.
The stunts in this movie are fantastic, and all are executed by Chan himself. He gets beat up pretty badly, even having to wear a cast through part of the film.
The film is very entertaining. The only downside to the film is its lack of realism. Some of the things the gangs get away with, for example, would never happen in real life. The redeeming qualities -- humor and cool stunts -- rescue the film.
This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the March 1, 1996 issue.
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