Jules Verne might have a hard time recognizing his source material in this Jackie Chan action-comedy adaptation, but for non-purists it's easy to forgive the liberties taken in the name of funny, fleet-footed summer-matinee romping. Although the ostensible main character is still screwball Victorian inventor Phileas Fogg (lanky Steve Coogan)--who wagers against the stuffed shirts of the English scientific establishment that he can circumnavigate the globe in the titular time period--this version of the story more literally revolves around Chan as Fogg's valet, who has stolen a jade Buddha from a Bank of London vault in order to return it to the Chinese village where it belongs, with Fogg becoming his ticket to safe passage--or so he thinks. Doggedly pursued by the Chinese mafia and an inept, crooked English constable (Trainspotting's Ewan Bremner, who has a gift for slapstick folly), our heroes make their way from country to country by whatever means necessary, encountering celebrity cameos (as in the original 1956 film [VL Online-6/04]), late 19th century cultural and historical highlights, and many excuses for witty kung fu along the way. Sometimes clunky, but always fun, this is a strong optional purchase. [Note: Available in widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include the theatrical version and the “alternate beginning” version (with an exclusive alternate opening sequence), audio commentary by director Frank Coraci and costar Steve Coogan (only accessible on the “alternate beginning” version), a 19-minute “Discovering” making-of featurette, the seven-minute stunts segment “Around the World of Jackie Chan,” nine deleted scenes with optional commentary and an intro by Coraci, the music video “Everybody All Over the World (Join the Celebration)” by Dave Stewart and the Sylvia Young Theater School Choir, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a flawed but entertaining film.] (R. Blackwelder)
Around the World in 80 Days
Buena Vista, 93 min., PG, VHS: $24.99, DVD: $29.99, Nov. 2 Volume 19, Issue 6
Around the World in 80 Days
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