Film Reviews

Around the World in 80 Days

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Cecile De France
• Details: US / 120 mins / (12PG).

Jules Verne's classic story gets a largely comical update in this brash, oddly enjoyable slice of hokum which has its heart stitched onto its sleeve. In a performance not far removed from his Alan Partridge persona, Coogan plays Phileas Fogg, a scientist whose sometimes outlandish imagination exposes him to the ridicule of his peers. Indeed, after verbalising another of his visionary ideas, his abilities are questioned by Lord Kelvin (Broadbent, chewing up the scenery like it's the first meal he's seen in months). In order to maintain a shred of credibility, Fogg claims that he can transverse the earth in a mere 80 days. So with his trusty but somewhat lawless sidekick, Passepartout (Chan) in tow, he sets out, picking up Monique La Roche (Cecile de France) along the way to add a bit of romantic intrigue.
While Coogan may be playing Verne's central protagonist Fogg, this version of Around the World in 80 Days is undoubtedly Jackie Chan's movie. With the story adapted to cater for the Hong Kong actor, Chan throws himself into the role with an eagerness that borders on the insane. At his best when he channels his unquestionable talent as a martial artist into laughs, Chan's a firebrand of energy, using his body as the punchline for many of the film's best gags. Moving with a vigorous glee, the plot never tries to be anything but lightweight - no wasting time attempting to make the implausible plausible - and this charm is infectious. You might not think too much about it afterwards, but Around the World in 80 Days is not a bad way to spend two hours. Oh, and watch out for the star cameos, especially Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Wilson brothers.

Review by Garreth Murphy