As a seasoned moviegoer with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan teaming up for “The Foreigner” was an unexpected yet delightful surprise. With Chan’s extensive martial arts background and Brosnan’s suave James Bond persona, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this action-thriller.
Jackie Chan is well-known for his extensive acting career spanning close to 150 films, with notable roles in movies such as “Police Story” and “Karate Kid”. While he’s primarily recognized for action films, Jackie Chan has occasionally ventured into more dramatic projects. His latest foray into drama was in the movie “The Foreigner”, directed by Martin Campbell. In this film, Jackie Chan collaborated with Pierce Brosnan, a veteran of action films who is famously known for his portrayal of James Bond in four movies between 1995 and 2002. Many fans hope to see Brosnan reprise his role as 007. Despite their unexpected pairing, the duo’s chemistry was strong, leading to a film that was both financially and critically successful.
The movie is adapted from Stephen Leather’s 1992 novel “The Chinaman” and was a collaborative effort between American, British, and Chinese filmmakers. The story revolves around Ngoc Minh Quan (played by Chan), a London-based Vietnam War veteran and restaurant owner whose daughter is tragically killed in an attack orchestrated by a splinter group of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). With Scotland Yard seemingly not making much progress with the investigation, Quan seeks help from Liam Hennessy (portrayed by Brosnan), who was once an IRA leader but now serves as the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. Quan suspects Hennessy is behind the attack and becomes determined for revenge when Hennessy feigns ignorance about the incident.
The ensuing sequence unfolds as a thrilling back-and-forth, featuring pursuits, physical fights, detonations, and numerous gory demises, between these two individuals.
The Foreigner Was Warmly Received
The film titled “The Foreigner” proved to be a massive hit at the box office, earning $145 million while only costing $35 million to produce. It even became one of the most-watched Netflix original films in the UK during 2018. Despite some critics criticizing its predictable action thriller plot, many felt it stood tall among similar movies in the genre. The director Martin Campbell, often overlooked, was praised for crafting intense action sequences – a talent that comes as no surprise given his work on films like “GoldenEye,” and collaborating with two masters of the trade for “The Foreigner.
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Jackie Chan Delivers With His Performance
In their respective performances, both Chan and Brosnan garnered admiration, with the martial artist receiving significant praise for tackling a particularly dramatic role. Critic Peter Travers from Rolling Stone commended Chan for portraying Quan with “intense coiling and raw emotional strength,” while Clarence Tsui of The Hollywood Reporter stated that it was refreshing to see Chan trade his cheerful demeanor for a two-hour display of gravitas as a tormented rogue with a troubled past. Even Brosnan spoke highly of Chan, telling The Guardian, “He’s incredibly committed, emotionally. He’s exceptional, an icon, a timeless figure on the cinematic stage. A jester, an acrobat, a hero.” With a visage that conveyed the sorrow of a grieving father and no attempts to hide his 63 years, Chan convincingly portrayed the authenticity of his character while showcasing his prowess in combat.
Initially, Chan suggested a potential sequel to the film when it first came out, given that his production company, Jackie & JJ Productions, was involved in its creation. Nevertheless, no further project has been made public yet. For now, “The Foreigner” stands independently as an effectively made action movie, though not entirely original, and is certainly worth watching alongside other movies of its kind. If you can look past the somewhat predictable plotline and appreciate top-notch acting and engaging action scenes, you won’t be disappointed. When you’re craving high-octane action and villains during your late-night Netflix binge sessions, consider giving “The Foreigner” a try.
Once you’ve finished, consider watching the high-octane action film on the streaming platform that currently dominates worldwide rankings, or take a look at Tom Hardy’s much-anticipated thriller set to debut on the service in early 2025.
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2024-11-11 04:32