Powerman 3

This is one of Jackie Chan's most serious movies and one of his best. Jackie Chan plays a Hong Kong cop who gives up his dream of sailing around the world to take care of his mentally retarted brother (played by Samo Hung who won an award for this role.) Samo is kidnapped after accidentally getting mixed up in a gang war and of course Jackie has to save him. Less action then the usual Jackie Chan movie but the action that is there is quite good. Be warned there are some real tear-jerker scenes in this movie. Jackie Chan fans this is a must see. The only disappointment is you never get to see Samo Hung display his martial arts talent.

If you think that Jackie Chan can't act then go watch this movie. Why? Because he actually acted quite well in this movie along with Sammo Hung who got out of his usual ways and acted a retard.

If you're used to Rush Hour or Shanghai Noon then you might be surprised that Jackie can actually act a complex character (unlike the stereo-types he did in Hollywood). Not many actors can cry (or at least drop a tear) in front of a camera and Jackie actually did it.

Sammo Hung plays quite well as Jackie's retarded brother and it must have been hard to act a retard (not to mention he dropped some tears too). We mostly get to see the two doing some action movies where the plot(s) have to get in line for the action, so it was good to see them do a movie where the plot comes in first row.

Yes I said it, unlike most of the movies they did together this one relies more on acting and plot and all the action is just a plus. I got quite touched with the way they both acted and the plot and the story was quite good too, very touching. There were times where I cried watching this one and I never expected to cry in a Jackie and Sammo movie so yes it is a good movie with good acting.

But although I gotta say it is not his best movie either. 8/10

Heart Of The Dragon can be described as Rain Man with martial arts, which is not a bad description, although this was actually made several years before. Made around the time Jackie Chan was churning out loads of great films, such as Police Story, Project A, Wheels On Meals and Dragons Forever, as well as poorer but hugely successful efforts like the 'Lucky Stars' films, this movie has somewhat been ignored, which is a shame, as it's a brave attempt at something a little different.

For the first 50 mins or so, this is mostly a drama, but both Jackie Chan, playing a character who is initially none too sympathetic, and Samo Hung, as his mentally challenged brother, give amazingly strong performances. There are laughs [such as when Chan is walking around holding his brother's hand saying to people "he's my brother" in case they might think they are gay],but there is also a great deal of sensitivity and honesty, climaxing in a powerful scene where Jackie almost breaks down in sheer fustration in front of Samo.

After this the film suddenly becomes an action movie, but the transition is not badly done, and, as if to reward patient action fans, the film climaxes with what is quite simply one of the best staged fight sequences EVER, a small masterpiece of choreography, editing and lighting. Jackie is as vicious as Bruce Lee ever was here, he's never been meaner.

There are two extra fight scenes which exist, but in most places they were removed from the film to emphasise the drama. Indeed the other elements of the film are so good that it can exist perfectly well without them. Of course there are a few silly touches, including TWO montages with the sentimental theme song, and Dick Wie's eyebrows! Generally a fine film, though.

"Long de xin" has Jackie's character (Tat) on the CID (Criminal Investigation Department). This is no "Police Story" though, and Chan is portrayed as just another member of the squad. His main occupation though, is looking after his mentally-disabled brother (Dodo, or Do-do), played decently by Sammo himself. Tat is constantly being called away to help out his brother, and the crime-fighting scenes in the film take a long time to develop.

This film has all of the ingredients that I look for, but it failed to impress me as much as it might have. First of all, Sammo direction is usually brilliant and progressive, in this film however, it seems that most of his creative energy went on his character-acting - and I must say, the scene about Jackie's leaving is particularly impressive. This moment, with it's heart-wrenching display of frustration, anger, and love is as memorable as any of the fight scenes in the film. Chan here is a brilliant dramatic actor, and it took Sammo to get it out of him I suppose.

Yuen Biao, as action-director, does a great job. And the final fight scene is particularly brutal and snappy. But, I can't help but wonder how much better this film may have been if Biao was given an on-screen part - I can see many that may have suited in retrospect.

The film does it's best to balance the drama and action, but I think this is it's main area of failure. There are none of those clever edits that Sammo is usually known for that make for brilliant transitions between contrasting scenes. Here, we sit through some repetitive and redundant scenes that (yet again) display Dodo's vulnerability as much as common man's inhumanity. (Actually, I was just realising how much trouble the children cause for Sammo - even his closest friends are doomed to hurt him). The first few times are good, the rest were trying.

This is a film that is worth watching for some great highlights, but it's not a film that I can imagine enjoying start-to-end, over and over like so many other of Sammo's directorial gems. Sammo and Chan's dramatic acting are the real winners in this film.

Well i must say this was one film i will never forget.just saw it the other day again and i must say "Brilliant".How it shows you how to love a family member and always stick up for them.Of course the film is funny but also sad the way they always pick on Sammo. I would still say this is one of the best movies of all times. Well i can say that.I have got nearly all of Jackie's films and can say this is in the top 5 So that was my comment hope other people think the same as me so farewell.

UK