Jackie Chan's Who Am I? (1998) / Action-Comedy

MPAA Rated: PG-13 for martial arts action violence
Running Time: 108 min.

Cast: Jackie Chan, Michelle Ferre, Mirai Yamamoto, Ron Smerczak, Ed Nelson
Director: Benny Chan, Jackie Chan
Screenplay: Jackie Chan, Susan Chan, Lee Reynolds
Review published May 10, 1998

A trio of scientists studying strange meteorites are abducted by a crew of commandos, but the commando squad is sabotaged by someone higher up and only Jackie (Chan, Mr. Nice Guy) survives - but he can't even remember who he is after a tumble from an airplane. He is adopted by an African tribe, and becomes one of them, but flashbacks to his past haunt him and he is determined to find out what is going on.

The film starts off a bit slow, with none of Chan's spectacular fight scenes occurring in the first hour. The plot is different but not particularly interesting...until the last hour of the film. What was once a mediocre military whodunit potboiler becomes a thrilling and unbelievable action vehicle as Jackie delivers three truly incredible action sequences each of which is worth the price of admission to this film. Had the writing been a little crisper it would be more memorable, but there's no denying that any Chan fan must see this if only for the last breathtaking conflict.

Qwipster's rating:

©1998 Vince Leo