The Medallion

Jackie Chan returns to his enjoyably cheesy Hong Kong-style roots in this action-comedy--although the daredevil actor has finally accepted the ravages of age and injury, for the first time using wirework and CGI for some of his crazier stunts and fights. At least he had a good reason built into the script: his Chinese cop character is killed in the first act, and when he's later brought back to life by a magical amulet (a priceless, immortality-conferring artifact chased after by bad guy Julian Sands throughout the film), Chan discovers he has superhuman powers and is virtually indestructible. Chan's talent for physical comedy is a blessing for the learning curve that accompanies his enhanced strength, speed, and invulnerability, which helps make up for the movie's many shortcomings, such as the complete lack of chemistry between Jackie and Claire Forlani (Meet Joe Black), who plays a beautiful Interpol agent. Yes, the plot is contrived and the jokes are often telegraphed, but the return of the amusing Jackie Chan "camp" factor, long missing from his Americanized movies, earns a bit of leeway here. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include both widescreen and full screen versions, audio commentary by co-executive producer Bill Borden and editor Don Brochu, 15 deleted scenes (including an alternate ending), and trailers. Bottom line: always nice to have both viewing formats on one disc, and the actual extras here are decent for this so-so action/fantasy flick.] (R. Blackwelder)