The Foreigner

Movie Information

The Story: After the death of his daughter in a bombing, an unassuming Chinese immigrant with a past goes searching for the men responsible. The Lowdown: With only flashes of vintage Jackie Chan, what should at the very least be a fun little action picture is instead an overly serious and drab movie that's far too plot-heavy.
Score:

Genre: Action
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring: Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Rory Fleck Byrne, Orla Brady, Charlie Murphy
Rated: R

f1

Martin Campbell’s The Foreigner has been marketed on a couple of notions — on the idea that it’s somehow topical and on its existence as a return of Jackie Chan as an action star. Neither one is a very truthful, the former much more than the latter.

The notion that The Foreigner somehow has its finger on the pulse of current affairs by talking about terrorism or xenophobia is silly because the movie does neither. Instead, it uses terrorism as a means for sensationalism and fistfights, and only examines xenophobia to the extent that the movie’s great message is “don’t blow up the family members of immigrants with martial arts skills and training in improvised explosives.”
f3A marketing plan is not a movie, and what’s promised in the trailer isn’t the same as judging a picture based on its own merits as a film. That being said, Campbell’s (Casino Royale) film is still pretty negligible as an entertaining action film, while the two things it wants to do — capture some modern “zeitgeist” and return Chan to prominence — doesn’t happen either. Yes, Chan gets some vintage Chan moments, but they’re rare and sandwiched in between a lot of political dialogue and a laborious setup that takes forever — and even longer if you have any idea what the concept of the film is. Plus, Campbell, who’s made his career on this kind of solid, on-the-ground action movie, can’t seem to shoot a coherent fight scene any longer.

f5

“What about the plot,” you might be asking. Well, there’s not much to report there. This aspect might be where The Foreigner tries hardest, weaving a story about the re-emergence of a rogue, violent sect of the IRA, a bombing in London and a Chinese businessman with a military background and a thirst for revenge. The problem is that all of this is far too convoluted to work, or at least to be decipherable. What should just be a simple tale of vengeance with an uncomfortably small amount of moral backbone is instead lifted up through self-seriousness and a washed-out color palette into something weightier. None of it meshes, and for a film that’s basically Chan taking on the IRA to avenge the death of his daughter, The Foreigner is shockingly dull, repetitive and misses that spark of fun and amazement that comes from vintage Chan vehicles.

f7This doesn’t make the movie unwatchable by any means, but it’s exhibit A in how sucking all of the fun and entertainment value out of what should — at the very least — be a fast-paced throwback. There’s some professionalism and dignity here in Chan and Pierce Brosnan’s performances, but neither is enough to make The Foreigner anything approaching memorable. Rated R for violence, language and some sexual material. Now playing at AMC Classic River Hills, Carolina Cinemark, Epic of Hendersonville, Regal Biltmore Grande.

SHARE

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.