Having bought previous restored kung fu classics on the 88 Films label, including Jackie's very own underrated Dragon Fist and To Kill With Intrigue (which were both stunning), I had been waiting with baited breath for their next release - which just happened to be this... Battle Creek Brawl.
I used to really enjoy The Big Brawl (as it was more commonly know in the UK). I remember finding it in a video store in Belfast City and not being allowed to buy it as I was 14 and it was rated 15. I rushed home on the bus and begged for my nan to come into town with me the next day to buy it for me. I was just kicking off my insane obsession for collecting kung fu movies and more so, any and all Jackie Chan movies!
A lot of years later, I purchased the great Hong Kong Legends DVD release of the same movie, but this is the best so far...
The 2K restored print of Battle Creek Brawl from 88 Films is indeed lovely, but unfortunately the film itself looks pretty dated which doesn't really help. A lot of the scenes are very brown, dusty and void of colour (not the prints fault - I mean the production) and along with some very poor sound production, helps make for a lot of boring scenes on screen. My kids love Jackie as I do, but this was losing them fast - as it was me.
Having now gained a lot of input from hearing Jackie talk of his time on the production, reading his books and such, you can see how much he wanted to break out in true Jackie Chan style - almost bored from frustration on the restrictions of his physicality. The fights, although passable with a couple of standout moments, are slow, overly staged and reminiscent of early 70's kung fu cinema. And this is down to a few different factors - the first, director Clouse isn't a great director at all and wanted another Bruce Lee on screen. Then there was the statement that American audiences wouldn't like Jackies fast style of fighting and action. And to top that off, he hardly had one proper opponent to go up against during the whole movie!
From daft monologuing mafia types to overly fat wrestlers in ridiculous outfits, Jackie really only gets to come close to some Hong Kong inspired fighting when he takes on the brothers using a bench and some fun choreography. Its almost a crime that he didn't get to do more given that he had just came from the epic Young Master with great success.
So what are the positives I hear you say? Well, Jackie Chan of course! Looking handsome and seemingly enjoying his scenes with Kristine DeBell, its great to see him as the romantic lead for a change - and not only that, but in a mixed race relationship that doesn't raise any issues. Something I would imagine the US in the 30's wouldn't be overly keen to see in real-life. Jackie keeps things professional with the little he had to work with putting on a show whenever he can, showing some great gymnastics, flexibility, stunt work (albeit minor in comparison to other works) and comedic moments. To be honest, aside from the aforementioned fight with the 2 brothers, his other standout moments include his training scenes with Mako and closing fight in the theatre.
With a memorable score by Lalo Schifrin (Enter the Dragon) who would go on to score Jackie's third and most successful break into Hollywood with Rush Hour, this 'classic' Chan vehicle is far from perfect, but I guess an important chapter in his career. The film provides just enough entertainment but it'll be a while before I put it in my player again...
Overall: Terribly dated, Battle Creek Brawl shows how boring American action cinema was at a time when Hong Kong was wowing the world. At this stage of the game, for Chan completists only...
I used to really enjoy The Big Brawl (as it was more commonly know in the UK). I remember finding it in a video store in Belfast City and not being allowed to buy it as I was 14 and it was rated 15. I rushed home on the bus and begged for my nan to come into town with me the next day to buy it for me. I was just kicking off my insane obsession for collecting kung fu movies and more so, any and all Jackie Chan movies!
A lot of years later, I purchased the great Hong Kong Legends DVD release of the same movie, but this is the best so far...
The 2K restored print of Battle Creek Brawl from 88 Films is indeed lovely, but unfortunately the film itself looks pretty dated which doesn't really help. A lot of the scenes are very brown, dusty and void of colour (not the prints fault - I mean the production) and along with some very poor sound production, helps make for a lot of boring scenes on screen. My kids love Jackie as I do, but this was losing them fast - as it was me.
Having now gained a lot of input from hearing Jackie talk of his time on the production, reading his books and such, you can see how much he wanted to break out in true Jackie Chan style - almost bored from frustration on the restrictions of his physicality. The fights, although passable with a couple of standout moments, are slow, overly staged and reminiscent of early 70's kung fu cinema. And this is down to a few different factors - the first, director Clouse isn't a great director at all and wanted another Bruce Lee on screen. Then there was the statement that American audiences wouldn't like Jackies fast style of fighting and action. And to top that off, he hardly had one proper opponent to go up against during the whole movie!
From daft monologuing mafia types to overly fat wrestlers in ridiculous outfits, Jackie really only gets to come close to some Hong Kong inspired fighting when he takes on the brothers using a bench and some fun choreography. Its almost a crime that he didn't get to do more given that he had just came from the epic Young Master with great success.
So what are the positives I hear you say? Well, Jackie Chan of course! Looking handsome and seemingly enjoying his scenes with Kristine DeBell, its great to see him as the romantic lead for a change - and not only that, but in a mixed race relationship that doesn't raise any issues. Something I would imagine the US in the 30's wouldn't be overly keen to see in real-life. Jackie keeps things professional with the little he had to work with putting on a show whenever he can, showing some great gymnastics, flexibility, stunt work (albeit minor in comparison to other works) and comedic moments. To be honest, aside from the aforementioned fight with the 2 brothers, his other standout moments include his training scenes with Mako and closing fight in the theatre.
With a memorable score by Lalo Schifrin (Enter the Dragon) who would go on to score Jackie's third and most successful break into Hollywood with Rush Hour, this 'classic' Chan vehicle is far from perfect, but I guess an important chapter in his career. The film provides just enough entertainment but it'll be a while before I put it in my player again...
Overall: Terribly dated, Battle Creek Brawl shows how boring American action cinema was at a time when Hong Kong was wowing the world. At this stage of the game, for Chan completists only...