The Foreigner

Year: 2017
Director: Martin Campbell
Cast: Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Ray Fearon, Michael McElhatton, Rory Fleck Byrne, Charlie Murphy, Lia Williams, Orla Brady


Plot: When his daughter is killed by a bomb blast perpetrated by a group of Irish rebels, a middle aged Chinaman seeks revenge. He targets the deputy prime minister of Ireland, whom he suspects knows more than he's letting on.


Review: Now here's a rare opportunity: to see Jackie Chan in a serious action film. No comedic flips, no slapstick punches. In fact, Chan barely smiles throughout the whole film.

Chan plays Quan, whose daughter dies in a bomb attack by a group of Irish rebels who are targeting Great Britain. Quan goes to meet Liam Hennessy, the deputy prime minister of Ireland, and asks for the bombers' names. Hennessy, who was once part of the old faction himself, denies any knowledge, but as the story goes on, it is clear that he is connected to the incident, even as he tries to handle the matter on his own. Quan continues to harass Hennessy to give up the names, and the game turns more dangerous as the film moves on.

Director Martin Campbell, working with a script by David Marconi based on Stephen Leather's novel The Chinaman, has made a film that wouldn't look out of place among the many Bourne knock offs that have emerged over the years, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. We have explosions, gunfights and fistfights here and there, and Chan plays it straight here. No nonsense whatsoever, which is good for him.

However, Campbell and Marconi spent a significant amount of time developing Hennessy's involvement with the bombers, his handling of the matter and how his closest acquaintances may or may not be on his side. All this takes away too much attention from Quan's story, who is simply a father seeking justice. There isn't enough time spared for Quan to properly grieve or ponder the consequences of his actions, thereby making this story rather uneven.

Chan shines as the vengeful Quan, who seems mild mannered on the outside, but is capable of taking down much younger guys. Pierce Brosnan is solid as Hennessy, playing him as someone who isn't immediately sympathetic or otherwise. I only wish they had spent more time developing scenes between the two men, as the film only allowed for three.

While I approve of the few twists the film throws in, it still adds up to a rather overcomplicated plot that didn't really need to be that way. Brosnan also doesn't get to partake in any action sequences, so if you're a fan of his Bond days, you may be disappointed.

In the end, The Foreigner is a solid action vehicle for Jackie Chan, but is slightly let down by a convoluted plot and unbalanced direction. (7/10)