The Foreigner

12/29/2017

Jackie Chan just keeps fuckin' bringing it doesn't he? The serious tone of _The Foreigner_ fits him well, but the role he plays seems oddly shoehorned in. I understand that the movie is in actual fact based on a novel called _The Chinaman_, which I assume unfolds more or less as the film does. But the Troubles-themed Political Drama makes up most of the runtime in _The Foreigner_, and the Action/Revenge Thriller element seems almost like at some point in pre-production the crew went "Holy shit, did you know we can put Jackie Chan in this? Quickly! Write him a role!". Although I'm sure that it's not the case, that is how it feels, and while the Action/Revenge Thriller element is the best part of the movie, its failure to mesh with the piece at large does bring it all down a bit. Still

2/7/2025

The Foreigner (2017) is an intense mix of action and political thriller, with Jackie Chan stepping into a more serious and dramatic role than usual. The plot follows a grieving father seeking justice, but instead of the straightforward revenge story you might expect, it leans into a complex web of political intrigue. This shift adds depth but also slows the pacing at times, making it feel like two different movies competing for attention. The directing by Martin Campbell is solid, keeping the tension high, but the balance between action and drama doesn’t always hit perfectly. The cinematography is grounded, with a darker, more realistic tone that fits the story well, though it lacks any particularly standout visual moments. Jackie Chan delivers one of his best dramatic performances, sho