Why is it that time spent on vacation often feels more hectic, and thus less relaxing, than time spent at work? Two weeks away and I’ve criss-crossed half the country a couple of times and now that I’m home I’m more wrecked than I was prior to vacation. Although I didn’t have to fight a wide variety of street gangs, I imagine this is how Jackie Chan’s character Keung felt in Rumble in the Bronx.
Keong only wanted to come to America to participate in his uncle’s wedding and to help him during the final stages of his grocery store, but within days he’s hip deep in gang wars, diamond heists, and the FBI’s attempt to bring down the “White Tiger.” And while most action movies have stunts that look dangerous and cool, Chan’s style of stunt work leaves me exhausted and honestly, worried for his safety.
When I first encountered Rumble in the Bronx back at the video store, I didn’t expect anything of it. It had a rather generic cover starring an actor I didn’t know anything about and I don’t think our in-store loop tape even offered up a trailer. One lonely copy sat on the shelf all by itself, easy to walk past when everything else had ten or more copies. I believe I only rented it because I had the night off and wanted a third free movie to take home. Back when I was a young man, Sunday morning Kung Fu Theater was always on (mostly because it came on after WWF wrestling) but my tastes had swayed more towards Van Damme and Seagal as the 90’s began.
I was so close to popping the tape out within minutes. The dialogue was trite and poorly overdubbed. The acting…even worse. But I gave it until the first action set piece before I’d decide to hit the eject button and I think I’m the better for it.
While Rumble in the Bronx certainly has a plot, I soon learned that was not the reason I was going to fall in love with this movie. That reason, as you’ve likely guessed, was Jackie Chan. In spite of the awful dubbing, there was something charismatic about this man, whether it be his willingness to act silly in front of a two way mirror or the genuine emotions that came across his face (something Seagal never bothered to master), he was likeable. And then when he decided to move…wow.
I’d never seen stunt work or fight choreography the way Jackie Chan did it. Sure, he could fight hand to hand and throw kicks with the best of Van Damme, but he let the environment participate in the stunts as much as he did. Anything from old playground equipment to pinball machines were suddenly part of the stunt, and I couldn’t wait to see what else he would employ in the scene. I certainly was not expecting to see a hovercraft, let alone a hovercraft chase at any point.
Rumble in the Bronx ended up being a breakthrough for American audiences, and studios quickly moved to profit on his popularity by releasing films at a breakneck pace, releasing both old and new films. Before long my store had a shelf or two dedicated to the man’s work and his films continually rented out. Thankfully Chan went on to star in some big films (Rush Hour) but wisely continued to do his own stunts as only he could do them.
Also, it was pure genius putting the stunt outtakes over the end credits. During the film it’s hard to stop and marvel at what Chan is putting himself through because the stunts come rapid fire, but to watch him actually get injured, and to still perform stunts while injured, puts his excellent work in perspective.
Rated 3.5 out of 5 Stars
