Review of Rumble in the Bronx (1995) by Sean L — 07 Jul 2011
Jackie Chan's first major American breakthrough remains his most energetic, entertaining spectacle. The film's storyline is a joke, with supposedly hardcore Bronx motorcycle gangs coming off like characters in a Saturday morning cartoon, but that's clearly not the point.
The plot's only there to fill the space between fight scenes with a few randomly connected antagonizing situations, and in many instances its complete lack of any connection with reality is actually quite charming.
The real focus, naturally, is on Chan's inventive use of his surroundings and blistering hand speed during his frequent clashes with gaudily-dressed bikers and, later on, suit-and-sunglasses adorned g-men.
Regardless of locale, Jackie is somehow able to find an unsuspecting prop, then quickly put it to use in bludgeoning somewhere in the range of a dozen different combatants in wildly original ways, keeping audiences surprised and indulged.
A kindergarten-grade story won't win this rumble any awards, but as a vehicle for its star's own inimitable style of celluloid-friendly martial arts it's perfect.
This review of Rumble in the Bronx (1995) was written by Sean L on 07 Jul 2011.
Rumble in the Bronx has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
