The Top 10 Highest-Profile Straight-to-DVD Releases
By Robert Sims, Special to Hollywood.com
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Wednesday, June 18, 2008
8. The Myth / Robin-B-Hood
The Big Loser: Jackie Chan
Deservedly Dumped?: With Twin Dragons and Mr. Nice Guy failing to do Shanghai Noon-like business, we’re now denied the opportunity of seeing Chan ’s Chinese-made efforts on the big screen. The ambitious Myth tells parallel past-and-present stories. Director Stanley Tong fails to maintain an even tone as he switch back and forth between eras—Chan ’s mission to protect a Korean princess is a treated as a solemn historical epic, his exploits as a modern-day archaeologist possesses a National Treasure-like lightness—but the action is terrific. A fight in a rat paper factory ranks among one of the most original Chan ’s undertaken in years. Yes, Robin-B-Hood is Three Kidnappers and a Baby, with Chan and his gang paid to snatch a newborn from his rich parents. But what’s great about this long but fast-paced family-friendly yarn is that it gives Chan the perfect excuse to engage in all sorts of chop-socky shenanigans strictly for laughs. And trust Chan to get up to more mischief in a bounce house than a 4-year-old boy ever could.
Stars: 2 for The Myth; 3 for Robin-B-Hood