I love Jacky Chan movies. And by Jackie Chan movies, I mainly mean his Hong-Kong releases. Among them, you will find some of the most clever, impressive and entertaining comedic action movies. I'm about to tell you about the movie that started my love of Jackie Chan movies. And the best part is you can watch the whole thing on the youTube movie channel. For fucking FREE. Yes, this is the movie that started my love of Jackie Chan movies, my love of Kung Fu movies, and my love of the youTube film channel all in one fell swoop. This is Wheels on Meals.
Now, I'd like to start by saying that this isn't JUST a Jackie Chan movie. Jackie Chan co-stars in this movie along with some of the people he grew up with and studied with at Opera School. Most prominantly, Sammo Hung, who was a fairly prominent director and actor of martial-arts comedies in his own right, and Yuen Biao. This film is in fact also directed by Sammo Hung.
I'm not going to do my regular thing of going through the whole movie and commenting on everything because, frankly, you should watch this movie yourself, and I don't want to spoil it. I will, however, warn you of one thing. The dubbing, at least on the version on the youTube movie channel is horrible. Now, as a fan of bad movies, the dubbing gave this film a certain charm, but it won't be for everyone. With that out of the way, let me tell you about this fucking movie.
First of all, the movie primarily stars Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao. The fact that these guys essentially grew up together really shows, and they have fantastic on-screen chemistry. Jackie Chan plays more of a wise-ass character than people used to his American releases would expect. Yuen Biao plays his more awkward and naive roommate. Also they both know Kung-Fu. This is never really explained.
They end up rescuing a prostitute from a client she robbed. She then robs them too. They also visit Biao's father in a mental institution.
Also, we see our heroes at their day job: they run a food truck in a busy plaza in Spain. Still don't know why they know Kung-Fu, but whatever. They soon put their pugilistic skill to good use when a motorcycle gang starts making a raucous and driving away their customers. An excellent man-vs-motorcycle fight scene ensues, climaxing with Chan and Biao doing leaping kicks to knock two riders off their cycles.
Meanwhile, we meet Sammo Hung's character. Hung works for a detective who, upon finding out mobsters are after him, promptly skips town, leaving Sammo Hung in charge of the detective agency. I'M SURE THERE'S NO WAY THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO BUMBLING DETECTIVE SHENANIGANS ANY TIME SOON, NOSIREE!
No sooner has Hung taken over the detective agency when a client arrives, offering a hefty sum to find a lost child. The child was lost many years ago, and will be an adult now. Sammo takes the case and the money.
Now, there is one issue this film has, and it's that it takes a while to get to the actual plot. This is a recurring thing in Sammo Hung directed films, as large portions of the film would be more of a series of humorous skits than scenes developing the plot. The first third or so of the movie is pretty much lets the characters run wild and make mischief before the actual plot sets in and gives their actions a sense of purpose.
The plot actually begins when it turns out the prostitute/thief double class that Chan and Biao ran into is the same woman that Hung is tasked with finding. And she's not what she seems. And there are hired goons after him (I mean...hired goons who aren't Sammo Hung. They're more competent, for one. And they have weapons). Madcap adventures across Barcelona ensue, as well as some truly fantastic fight scenes. Highlights include the alternately intense and comical fight between Jackie Chan and kickboxer Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, as well as a scene where our three heroes all pick up foils and begin fencing with the main villain.
All in all, this is a very fun movie. The acting and chemistry of the main characters transcends the bad dubbing. It's like a classic Marx Brother's-esque comedy, but with kung fu. Above all, it's a really fun watch, that entertains from the start.
-Alec
Now, I'd like to start by saying that this isn't JUST a Jackie Chan movie. Jackie Chan co-stars in this movie along with some of the people he grew up with and studied with at Opera School. Most prominantly, Sammo Hung, who was a fairly prominent director and actor of martial-arts comedies in his own right, and Yuen Biao. This film is in fact also directed by Sammo Hung.
I'm not going to do my regular thing of going through the whole movie and commenting on everything because, frankly, you should watch this movie yourself, and I don't want to spoil it. I will, however, warn you of one thing. The dubbing, at least on the version on the youTube movie channel is horrible. Now, as a fan of bad movies, the dubbing gave this film a certain charm, but it won't be for everyone. With that out of the way, let me tell you about this fucking movie.
First of all, the movie primarily stars Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao. The fact that these guys essentially grew up together really shows, and they have fantastic on-screen chemistry. Jackie Chan plays more of a wise-ass character than people used to his American releases would expect. Yuen Biao plays his more awkward and naive roommate. Also they both know Kung-Fu. This is never really explained.
They end up rescuing a prostitute from a client she robbed. She then robs them too. They also visit Biao's father in a mental institution.
Also, we see our heroes at their day job: they run a food truck in a busy plaza in Spain. Still don't know why they know Kung-Fu, but whatever. They soon put their pugilistic skill to good use when a motorcycle gang starts making a raucous and driving away their customers. An excellent man-vs-motorcycle fight scene ensues, climaxing with Chan and Biao doing leaping kicks to knock two riders off their cycles.
Meanwhile, we meet Sammo Hung's character. Hung works for a detective who, upon finding out mobsters are after him, promptly skips town, leaving Sammo Hung in charge of the detective agency. I'M SURE THERE'S NO WAY THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO BUMBLING DETECTIVE SHENANIGANS ANY TIME SOON, NOSIREE!
No sooner has Hung taken over the detective agency when a client arrives, offering a hefty sum to find a lost child. The child was lost many years ago, and will be an adult now. Sammo takes the case and the money.
Now, there is one issue this film has, and it's that it takes a while to get to the actual plot. This is a recurring thing in Sammo Hung directed films, as large portions of the film would be more of a series of humorous skits than scenes developing the plot. The first third or so of the movie is pretty much lets the characters run wild and make mischief before the actual plot sets in and gives their actions a sense of purpose.
The plot actually begins when it turns out the prostitute/thief double class that Chan and Biao ran into is the same woman that Hung is tasked with finding. And she's not what she seems. And there are hired goons after him (I mean...hired goons who aren't Sammo Hung. They're more competent, for one. And they have weapons). Madcap adventures across Barcelona ensue, as well as some truly fantastic fight scenes. Highlights include the alternately intense and comical fight between Jackie Chan and kickboxer Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, as well as a scene where our three heroes all pick up foils and begin fencing with the main villain.
All in all, this is a very fun movie. The acting and chemistry of the main characters transcends the bad dubbing. It's like a classic Marx Brother's-esque comedy, but with kung fu. Above all, it's a really fun watch, that entertains from the start.
-Alec
So if its so great and free on youtube why don't you just embed the damn thing into your blog post right here?
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