Heart Of The Dragon

Starring; Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung
Director; Sammo Hung
Genre; Drama/ Action
Year; 1985
Release; U.K. HKL

A quick comment. No reviews of late, as I bought a PS3, and my film-watching has dropped to zero. Have seen this though.

Well, it's Jackie and Sammo again, in another Sammo-directed action fest. Only it isn't. Trying something a bit different this time. Jackie is a cop (suprise), who is trying to balance a succesfull career, with looking after his mentally retarded brother (Hung), and also an overwhelming desire to sail. Add to this the complication of his girlfriend, and Chans life is somewhat difficult. This film, however, suffers from the same problems as Chans other attempts to try something different (Miracles, Gorgeous, Thunderbolt). Namely 2 things.
First, being as it's Chan, they crowbar in fight scenes, where they really don't fit. There's only one in this, and, while its a decent one (against the inevitable James Tien led gang, with Dick Wei and Phillip Ko heading the fighting), it has no real place in this film. The scene is made to fit a little better than in, say, Gorgeous, but ultimatley should not be there. However, it is notable that during the fight, Chan actually kills a couple of guys, quite graphically. Not usual for him.
Second, Chan really, really cannot act. No, he can't. Outside his usual role, which is the same guy in every film (different name, job, background, same guy), he's out of his depth. Never more evident than here, where he needs to explore the depths of emotion, it's just beyond him. Hung does ok, but it's not that hard to be a kid.
It's ok, not good, but not crap. I got it for a fiver in HMV, it's worth that, to fill up a Chan collection.