Review of The Foreigner (2017) by Lenard W — 14 Oct 2017

We are so used to seeing Jackie Chan playing happy-go-lucky cops or kung-fu masters. So to see him in a dramatic, R-rated action thriller is very weird. But, Chan impresses with his dramatic work. He plays a Chinese man who has lived in London for 30 years. He lives with his daughter. But after a bombing kills his daughter, he decides to find out who is responsible and takes matters in his own hands. Not exactly Death Wish, the movie involves the IRA and a lot of political drama. Chan does fight in this, but it isn't the fun, entertaining kind of fights where Chan would use a pan or broom for comedic effect. The fights are brutal, bloody, and violent. Chan is 63 now and I like how the movie lets us know this. Think Hugh Jackman's Logan when thinking of Chan's character in this. He is a man who has lost everything and is barely hanging on physically and mentally. Chan's character fights more out of survival than just wanting to kick ass. Pierce Brosnan plays a former IRA member turned British government official who Chan's character bothers throughout the movie to get the names of those responsible for the bombing. The two actors share some scenes together, but there were moments where Chan would be away from screen for long periods of time, making you wonder if it was really a Jackie Chan movie or a Pierce Brosnan movie about the IRA. Director Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, Casino Royale, The Mask of Zorro) reunites with Pierce Brosnan and he makes a very tense thriller with some great fight scenes. The movie strays in the second act with a lot things getting repetitive. But the movie finishes strong in the climax. This is a taught, very violent action movie that has Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan giving excellent performances. If you didn't have respect for Jackie Chan before, you will after seeing one of his best performances of his long, celebrated career.

GRADE: A-.