Chan is alive & kickin'

The Medallion is a mildly amusing film with a supernatural theme. Though appealing in its first half-hour, the Jackie Chan vehicle begins to sink once the special effects department takes over.

For years, Chan has performed his own stunts. But the actor, who is now in his late 40s, is slowly surrendering to the computer-driven SFX department. His charm as a spontaneous comedian poking fun at himself is still present, but a fine script and a better supporting cast is what he really needs.

Chan's charisma and breathtaking leap scenes in the first half of the film create an amiable and gentle comic adventure. The movie is, of course, far removed from the wild Rush Hour series or the refined comedy of Shanghai Knights. But it is nowhere as bad as the pre-release buzz of the film. The Medallion, which takes us from Hong Kong to Dublin, suffers in the romance department. The scenes with the inept British agent (Lee Evans) are woefully unfunny. 

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Director Gordon Chan attempts to bring life into the movie in the second half via some well-designed and photographed computer-generated stunt scenes including a midair fight sequence       

Eddie Yang (Jackie Chan), a conscientious Hong Kong police officer, is after a vicious smuggler named Snakehead (Julian Sands) who is seeking immortality through the powers of an ancient medallion. When Snakehead discovers that a young boy possesses the medallion, he has his henchmen kidnap the kid. 

Eddie dies while trying to save the kid but the child gives him back his life by using the medallion. When Eddie wakes up in the morgue, he is more than surprised. In fact, his reaction creates some of the funniest moments in the film. If only the rest of the script had been as interesting as in this situation.          

Eddie is not only alive but he has been granted supernatural powers. But the minute he goes around using them to ward off bullets or crawl up high walls, the film begins to lose sway.

Snakehead is not one to give up his quest easily. Meanwhile, Eddie gets ready to fight him again. He is joined by a bumbling Interpol agent Watson (Lee Evans) and a young woman Nicole (Claire Forlani).

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Eddie soon realises he is not the only one with supernatural powers and his task becomes even more challenging. 

Chan's self-deprecating humour, innocent charm and nimble footmark have made him one of the more endearing movie stars. Part of his strengths are still in play here and, though it is not saying much, The Medallion is more appealing than many expensive summer releases including the Tomb Raider sequel.

CREDITS
Cast: Jackie Chan, Claire Forlani, Lee Evans, Julian Sands
Director: Gordon Chan
Writers: Bennett Joshua Davlin, Alfred Cheung, Bey Logan, Paul Wheele
Distributor: Columbia TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG-13 for action, violence and some double-entendres
Running time: 90 minutes