Le Smoking

Disappointingly, this film was a step down for both Jackie Chan and Jennifer-Love, whom I actually idolize. Chan was trying to be funny while being 'manipulated' by the tux, but turned out to be corny (at least for me). I'm not sure if he's already too old for the job, but if he goes on with his upcoming movies like that, his name will just fade away from the movie industry, and the likes of Jet Li will very much make a better replacement for him.

The movie also proved that Love-Hewitt wasn't a comedienne after all. She's no match to Reese Witherspoon when it comes to actress versatility (the latter can do both funny and sad movies). She should just stick to drama or other pretty-girl films.

* 1/2 out of ****

When it comes to pure charisma, the only Hong Kong actor who matches with Jackie Chan is Chow Yun-Fat (who is, overall, probably a better actor). What is it about Chan that appeals to so many people? It's not only that he does all his stunts for real, but he seems like a natural, care-free, fun-loving kind of guy. In every film he's been in, you can't help but notice his enthusiasm, even when he's starring in crap.

And thus we segue to The Tuxedo, a sort-of spy spoof which Chan stars as Jimmy Tong, a reckless taxi driver with a crush on a woman working in an art exhibition. Because of his top-notch driving skills, he's hired as Clark Devlin's (Jason Isaacs) personal driver. Devlin is one suave fellow, with a fine tuxedo to boot, but he falls into a coma after an incident involving an explosive.

Tong, as his good friend and employee, feels obligated to find out what happened to his boss so he dresses himself in Devlin's tuxedo, which apparently enables the wearer superhuman ability and agility. Posing as Devlin, Tong partners with a secret agent named Del Blaine (Jennifer Love Hewitt) to expose a crime to poison the world's water supply.

For a good twenty or so minutes, the film is actually pretty enjoyable fluff, with a cool car "chase," which is really just Chan driving real fast, but fun to watch, nonetheless. However, once Hewitt is introduced as Chan's partner, the whole thing goes downhill with mindless blather about water. It seems the villain intends to poison the world's water supply so that only his bottled water is safe.

Utter stupidity of the plan aside (poison water, ecosystem...dead, anyone?), it's just not the kind of set-up we want for a Chan flick. This isn't the first film he's posed as a secret agent (see the far superior First Strike or Who am I?) but this time around, it ultimately drags the picture down. For one thing, the film's most interesting character isn't Chan, it's Isaacs' Clark Devlin, who really is a cool and suave individual (Isaac himself has always been a very underrated actor).

Chan is his enthusiastic self as usual, but when it comes to performing nifty stunts, forget it, the stuff here looks too manipulated, which entirely defeats the charm of watching Jackie Chan take on countless opponents. The humor isn't very good, either, with relentlessly predictable jokes ("nice rack") and an astonishingly digressive segment involving Chan performing like James Brown, which is cringe-worthy, to say the least.

Last, and possibly least, there's Jennifer Love Hewitt, who's a fairly pretty actress and as far as genuine talent goes...well, I've seen much worse (Denise Richards, I'm looking at you). But here, she's just annoying, called on by the script to do nothing but whine and complain. Worse yet, the movie never even opts to give us a good cleavage shot, which might have made the more annoying bits bearable.

As far as story goes, the plot is lame, the villains make zero impression, and the gadgets...well, the tuxedo IS the gadget and it's not a very impressive one, at that. For superior martial arts entertainment, check out First Strike or Who am I?

What do you look for in movies? A deep twisting plot? A story that stays with you long after and still stirs up emotions? Well you won't find it here! But... why does that have to be a bad thing? If you want a film like I mentioned, there are many out there. But, if you want to sit back and enjoy some light entertainment that will still make you laugh, no-one does it better than Jackie Chan. Sure, the plot is light, but what did you expect? I have seen this film twice now and would watch it again anytime. I have seen reviews saying this film was terrible purely because of JLH's role... I say make up your own mind, I'm not promising you will like this movie but at least give it a chance... When you have made as many movies as JLH and Jackie Chan, not every film you have starred in will appeal to every critic, but this may be just the right kind of film for you. One other point- Many of the reviews I have read say something like "This film is terrible, I'd rather watch Sin City, or We Were Soldiers," and while I like these movies myself, you need to remember that there are parents with young children who may struggle to find a film they are happy to show their children, and this movie may be more suitable for younger viewers, while still amusing parents. If you have read this, I want you to know that this is only my opinion, so I'll say again "Try it for yourself."

If you enjoyed Jim Carrey's "The Mask," you might enjoy this Jackie Chan film. It has a similar storyline but instead of a mask, it's a suit someone puts on and receives some supernatural powers.

It's all extremely silly but with a lot of slapstick and outrageous scenes, you are going to get some great laugh-out-loud scenes and some really stupid not-funny stuff....especially in a Chan movie. Jackie is an amazing man, with the stunts he can do at his age.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Love Hewitt is easy on the eyes, especially showing us her body, but her character in here is pretty lame. The whole movie is pretty brainless but if you don't care and just want some laughs and be entertained, this serves its purpose. It's certainly a fast-moving 99 minutes and there's nothing wrong with that.

Like so many others, a long time adherent of the Jackie Chan style of cinema - I even got a kick as it were, out of the ubiquitous WHO AM I? Again like others I had looked forward to (admittedly with growing trepidation) to THE TUXEDO, despite my utter contempt, dislike and physical animosity towards the unswervingly vacant Miss Love Hewitt. But people, there is simply no justification for this movie's existence.. not that this segregates it much from so many other films these days? (and given that I'm seeing THE HOT CHICK tonight, I don't hold out much hope of any late cinematic change!)

THE TUXEDO is formula film-making...NOT to be confused with formula Jackie Chan film-making which I and many others were hoping to see. Sure, the odd laugh surfaces (most sink without trace)..Jackie produces his trademark martial arts lunacy - but it never gels! The script is a stinker. the aerial combats stale and plain stupid and about the only reason one could manufacture to see this thing is the dubious opportunity of watching Chan do the Jackie Brown!

Its not enough! Rent out either RUSH HOUR'S instead! You would be doing yourself a favor!