The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic:
on THE FOREIGNER (2017, 114 minutes, R)
The Quick of It -
Martial arts is such a great facet of this world we live in…
and very unappreciated. And I’m not
talking about that fluffier, stylistically weaker stuff you might encounter in
gi’s. Those styles are more sports-oriented,
with a sense of fighting mixed in. Oh,
this includes the ‘dancing’ styles (refence: Jean Claude Van Damme). They have their merits, but not as a ‘martial’
art.
A true martial artist practices the art as a way of life. True, it is about bringing the fight to the
next level. But not just physically. There are also emotional and spiritual levels
that must be respected. My top pick for
this generation in the film industry is Jet Li, hands down. But he is not the only one that deserves
major praise. A close second is Jackie
Chan. Jackie may show a little too much
Wushu for my taste but he is a true warrior.
He has proven that by always doing his own stunts in movies. No one can take that away from him, not after
so many years.
Something that also cannot be dismissed. He has such a big heart. You can see his sincerity even in the
smallest aspects of his acting. His role
in THE FOREIGNER showcases this talent to the Nth degree, and you are pulled into
his heartbreaking situation at the start.
He plays a humble restaurant owner and the father to a teenage girl who
gets killed by an IRA bombing in London.
As the movie progresses, you learn tragedy has struck his life more than
just this once. This, though, becomes
the final straw and he is hellbent on exacting revenge.
As you hopefully know from following his illustrious career,
Jackie is in the twilight years and age has crept into his body. Does this stop him? No, it only heightens the sympathy you become
anchored to in the character. Director
Martin Campbell (of CASINO ROYALE, GONDENEYE, THE MASK OF ZORRO, and ahemmm… GREEN LANTERN) uses this and drops it into a bleakish-style
opening to the film and never releases you.
You could almost feel the sense of mourning taking place and the
internal cry for retribution.
To say THE FOREIGNER is a ‘sleeper hit’ for this year would
give too much praise but it deserves a strong mention. Based on the novel ‘The Chinaman’ by Stephen
Leather, the film offers something a little different than all the other action
films on your list. The dramatic
elements and cinematography are quite effective and keep you rooting for the
elderly underdog, trapped in the political innerworkings of Belfast and the IRA,
hoping to make right on his horrible loss.
Jackie Chan, you still amaze me.
Grade: B+
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