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SifuM
SifuM's stats
- Review count3
- Helpfulness votes0
- First reviewJanuary 30, 2010
- Last reviewJuly 10, 2010
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
SifuM's Reviews
Overall rating
4
/
5
Cute little movie about a cute little place
PostedJuly 10, 2010
SifuM
from New York, NY
What a fun film! Sure, the plot was a bit predictable, but so are many films nowadays. It's nice to see NYC in a film more or less as it is (sans potholes and traffic, though) and focusing on one of its eccentric parts is good for perspective.
Of course, the film is not about City Island, but about this initially dysfunctional family who gets it together in the end. In that way, they nearly feel like a metaphor for New York itself. The actors all bring the characters to life and though they flirt with caricature, it still feels real.
There were quite a few laughs and giggle all the way through, but you can't call this a laugh-a-minute film. However, for us it made the perfect night out.
Of course, the film is not about City Island, but about this initially dysfunctional family who gets it together in the end. In that way, they nearly feel like a metaphor for New York itself. The actors all bring the characters to life and though they flirt with caricature, it still feels real.
There were quite a few laughs and giggle all the way through, but you can't call this a laugh-a-minute film. However, for us it made the perfect night out.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Not the original
PostedJune 13, 2010
SifuM
from New York, NY
Both me and my son have seen both the original and this version and agree the 2010 version is better. Jaden as Dre is refreshingly believable and we see a side of Jackie Chan as Mr. Han that you know is there but you rarely see in his films.
There are some things that require suspending belief a bit and a few loose ends. The time taken to train Dre to compete is unbelievably short. In reality, this would take much longer. The final competition seems to use the original films as a template and is equally unbelievable, though entertainingly dramatic. Also, where did that remark from Tariji Henson as Mrs Shelley Parker about crossing the street come from? What happened to the white kid? There are much unevenness in the story line as if much has been cut or badly thought through.
It is nice to see an honest and fairly candid view of modern China (or any country) being depicted instead of the cliches we are often subjected to. Detroit and Beijing are depicted as equally unexotic and livable locations and no judgement is passed.
In the end, the result is highly watchable and entertaining, and what more do you want?
There are some things that require suspending belief a bit and a few loose ends. The time taken to train Dre to compete is unbelievably short. In reality, this would take much longer. The final competition seems to use the original films as a template and is equally unbelievable, though entertainingly dramatic. Also, where did that remark from Tariji Henson as Mrs Shelley Parker about crossing the street come from? What happened to the white kid? There are much unevenness in the story line as if much has been cut or badly thought through.
It is nice to see an honest and fairly candid view of modern China (or any country) being depicted instead of the cliches we are often subjected to. Detroit and Beijing are depicted as equally unexotic and livable locations and no judgement is passed.
In the end, the result is highly watchable and entertaining, and what more do you want?
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Kids liked it
PostedJanuary 30, 2010
SifuM
from New York, NY
It's certainly not a great movie nor is it Jackie Chan's best either and sometimes a lesson in course acting, but it's still fun and entertaining and the kids loved it. Madeline Carroll is an actress to keep an eye out for in the future. She seems to have a lot of potential that we didn't all see in this movie. Jackie is Jackie, what more can you say. Even if he has had to slow down, he is still physical and funny as ever. I think the rest of the cast let the film down a little and it could never decide to be either straight or over the top silly, which could also be a problem with direction (never easy if Jackie is around).
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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