Around the World in 80 Days

Review by Clint Morris

A remake of a 1956 film of the same name and before that, an 1873 novel by Jules Verne, Around the World in 80 Days centres on an eccentric Londoner named Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan) who sets out to orbit the globe in 80 days, with the assistance of fugitive Passepartout (Jackie Chan).

On their journeys they run into quite a few weird and wonderful characters and visit quite a few exotic locations.

While it isn't the stout turkey many are saying it is, director Frank Coraci's update of Around the World in 80 Days would no doubt still have author Jules Verne spinning in his grave.

For starters, there's a real lack of story. And in its place, a heap of martial arts action, provided, of course, by star Jackie Chan. If anything doesn't fit in a film version of 80 Days, its chop suey rumble.

Whenever the laughs start to thin - and that's a lot of the time - Chan picks a fight with another horde of renegade butt-kickers.

Even Chan himself seems wrong for the film. Sure, he's quite a funny character at times (as witnessed in the Shanghai Noon and Rush Hour series) but as Passepartout, sidekick to our lead adventurer, he's a little out of his depth.

And whilst Steve Coogan does quite a job as scientist Phileas Fogg, he's not charismatic or interesting enough to watch. Hugh Grant - who funnily enough, was approached for the part - would've been much more entertaining in the role.

Better are the incessant cameo players that pop up throughout the film - including Luke and Owen Wilson as the Wright brothers, Kathy Bates as the Queen, Rob Schneider as a homeless man and, best of all, Arnold Schwarzenegger hamming it up as a Turkish Prince. But sadly, when there's no star spotting to be done, the movie starts to ware on one's forbearance.

Around the World in 80 Days definitely has it's moments and it is a good looking film, but it lacks real spark, and considering the budget and stars on hand to make this happen, that's a disappointment.

2.5 out of 5

Around the World in 80 Days
Australian release: Thursday August 26th
Cast: Steve Coogan Jackie Chan, Jim Broadbent, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kathy Bates, John Cleese.
Director: Frank Coraci.
Website: Click here.

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