Around the World in 80 Days

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How do you re-tell a classic tale that’s already been immortalised on film? If you’re Jackie Chan you turn it into an action movie.

But, to be fair, that’s not an entirely accurate take on the latest film version of Jules Vernes’ ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’. While Chan’s involvement has certainly boosted the number of fight sequences, this is far more than your average chop-socky movie. Like the ‘Shanghai Noon’ films, it finds the martial arts star further extending himself into the realm of adventure movies where storyline is almost as important as the stunts.

Basically, ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ is Jackie Chan on the biggest imaginable scale. It’s his most ambitious and epic film yet — but don’t expect anything serious or profound. The movie still retains the typical mainstream combination of broad slapstick, numerous fight scenes and cheeky sense of fun that’s become his trademark.

Unsurprisingly, Verne’s story has been adapted accordingly. Steve Coogan’s Phileas Fogg is a scatterbrained-scientist-inventor-type seeking acceptance from England’s Royal Academy of Science in the 1870s. Chan inadvertently becomes Fogg’s valet, Passepartout, after stealing a precious statue from the Bank of England. Hoping to return the artifact to its rightful home in China and escape the police on his tail, the valet encourages Fogg to accept a challenge by the academy to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days.

And so begins the familiar story, Channed-up as our hero repeatedly takes on the British police and a group of Chinese warlords in destinations like Morocco, China and the United States. Most outlandish and inspired is the elaborate fight sequence in the French gallery where Fogg meets love-interest Monique. Of course she tags along for the journey, catching the eye of a polygamous Turkish sultan played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. In his best intentionally comedic performance, the governator simply portrays a more extravagant version of himself, gamely playing up all the stereotypes he’s been labeled with in real life.

But, although he’s certainly the most impressive, Schwarzenegger isn’t the only big name cameo appearance packed into the slightly overlong film. Amongst the likes of Richard Branson, Rob Schneider and John Cleese look out for Owen and Luke Wilson as the squabbling Wright brothers. They're as funny as is to be expected, but also have the misfortune of inspiring one of the more ludicrous plot developments.

As Fogg fashions a massive Passepartout-powered flying machine from a sailing ship, the film crosses the line into pure fantasy — and silliness. But, then again, this take on Verne’s tale — which does feel a bit laboured at times — could never be accused of taking itself too seriously.

Although the themes of love and friendship are played out like the lesson of the day on ‘Takalani Sesame’, the 2004 interpretation of ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ is nothing more than a big, silly action-adventure for children of all ages. It’s not as classy — or good — as the 1956 David Niven version, but certainly a lot more fun.

For more on the movie, see the official website disney.go.com/disneypictures/80days/

What the international critics said...

"A satisfying slice of old-fashioned storybook entertainment."
- Stephen Holden, THE NEW YORK TIMES

"'Around the World in 80 Days' is never as delightful and silly as it needs to be."
- Stephanie Zacharek, SALON.COM

"'Around the World in 80 Days' is modestly diverting summer fare, but at about the halfway mark you're going to start wondering, 'Are we there yet?'"
- Mark Wolf, DENVER ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS

"A journey worth taking."
- Lisa Rose, NEWARK STAR-LEDGER

"A two-hour version of the Jules Verne story that is only intermittently fun, despite lavish expenditures on CGI and stunt work."
- Gary Thompson, PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS

"Jackie is great, his choreography flawless, his comic timing spot on, but he’s doing it in the wrong film."
- Joshua Tyler, CINEMABLEND.COM

"If [Verne] saw the movie with youngsters, he'd appreciate how much they enjoyed it."
- Jeff Strickler, MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE

"Amiably dorky redo."
- Lisa Schwarzbaum, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY