26 Sep 2006

Rob-B-Hood

Original Title: Baobei Jihua

Director: Benny Chan

Language: Mandarin with English subtitles

Starring: Jackie Chan, Louis Koo, Michael Hui

Release: 2006-09-26

Rob-B-Hood does not boast a very original plot, but it is obvious that most audiences watch a Jackie Chan movie not for the storyline but for the wild stunts that he pulls off. Despite age catching up, the stunts here are as good as any of Chan's previous films, but the humour is more a hit-and-miss affair. Granted, it is an oft-repeated premise of grown men having to deal with the difficulties of taking care of a baby, so much of the humour in the situation has already been done to death, but one still wishes for any spark of originality, which are few and far between.

Thong (Jackie Chan) and Octopus (Louis Koo) are partners in crime, stealing from the rich to finance their own high-maintenance lifestyles. When they are given a chance to crown their careers with the biggest job yet, they jump at the chance — only to find out that it involves kidnapping a baby. Through unforeseen circumstances, they end up having to take care of the baby. When it is time to finally complete the transaction, the two are forced to choose between ethics and money.

The action set-pieces are as always, excellent, especially one which involves air-conditioning units dotting the side of a high-rise building. Jackie Chan shines at doing the impossible without the aid of much computer or camera trickery. There is good chemistry between him and Louis Koo as well, which helps make the moments between key action scenes easier to bear. This film is best served to action aficionados.