Python Hyena
Mr. Nice Guy (1997): Dir: Samu Hung / Cast: Jackie Chan, Richard Norton, Karen McLymont, Miki Lee, Gabrielle Fitzpatrick: Standard Jackie Chan flick about behaviour when met with conflict. The plot regards a video tape that reveals drug lords in action and how it falls into the wrong hands and eventually Chan's apartment. Chan spends the remainder of the film beating up bad guys and rescuing three women who cannot act. Basically ninety minutes of stunts and action with interesting locations. Directing by Samu Hung is fine but Chan isn't doing anything new. He is amusing in his personality but from a story standpoint he basically kicks the crap out of a lot of less than talented people. The dreadful supporting cast includes Richard Norton, Miki Lee, Gabrielle Fitzpatrick, and Karen McLymont and none of them will likely find work in this field any time soon after being part of this hideous mess. Chan films are pretty much structured the same way and exist for the same reason. We are given an ongoing parade of slapstick violence where any evidence of a plot becomes pointless. He is in great shape and performs impressive stunts but a film needs more than stunts and this one is lacking a key element called plot. The message is suppose to regard anger but the stunts are its true purpose. Viewers should take their anger out on this film and toss it in the nearest dumpster. Score: 3 / 10
kankawin25013
Many guys would praise Mr.Nice Guy (Yat goh hiu yan) as one of the best Hong Kong's action flick during Jackie Chan's era. In my opinion, this was one of his "masterpiece" in his actor's life. What would happened if the normal chef with his unexpected martial arts skill involved with the deadly situation concerning the significant video containing the busted drug selling? Unstoppable, breath taking and over the limit action is a thing that Mr.Nice Guy give us. Jackie Chan showed his stellar performance which can made me firmly believed that he is the best "action hero". He extremely concentrated all of his action scenes even it was very risk. I also surprised that Chan starred this film when he was 43! He could do many risk scenes at this age! The film also proof many critics' comment about Richard Norton's outstanding villain role. He portrayed himself as the heinous, nasty and remorseless Giancarlo who can made the audience curse him "to the deep hell". This wicked guy was the mixture of the aggressive criminal, the merciless mob boss, and the abusive man. I believed that if Mr.Nice Guy is the Hollywood's motion picture, Richard Norton could won the Oscar.About directing, Sammo Hung numerously surprised me when I knew his position as the film's director since he is the iconic actor with the great action skill. (However, Mr.Nice Guy was really his 36th works from his 37 movies he directed.) Hung gave us the quality action film which treated audiences with all of emotion. Funny, comedy, anger and satisfying. Movie's climax scene is the part that I suggested all of you utterly "don't miss" because you will be poped-up and shouted "Oh Hell Yeah!"However, I didn't like some point in this movie. The intense and oftentimes women's beating is the scene that I mostly hated. Even it was necessary to show how bad that a villain was, but Sammo Hung used it too frequent. Maybe it was the Chinese's action film culture, so every director had to do?To sum up, this movie is very good for action movies' fan. However, it's not suitable for children to watch it.
TheStiffmeister
I know films like this should be taken with a pinch of salt, people will always say things like "it's just a bit off fun" or "it's not to be taken seriously". Normally, I would go along with these opinions but I'm afraid I'm just not able to with 'Mr. Nice Guy'. The acting in this film is so bad, it is almost funny. The problem is that the acting is so awkward, it makes watching it so awkward. There are moment where you would like to rise from your seat, enter the TV and do it for them. The action and FX are almost annoying: everything seems to be in slow motion, which is silly because it allows the viewer more time to see windows breaking before they are touched, or fireworks being set off for explosions. I'm sorry, I'm not usually such a cynic but having watched many bad films in my time- I think it is safe to say this is the worst. If you like Chan, then keep to the Rush Hours.
Markmainwaring
For many years Jackie Chan had been a hero to me. Then came Rumble in the Bronx and he was a hero to everyone. Rumble in the Bronx was a great film I thought. Not Jackies best but great at what it was. It turned out that was to be his last really great film.A few movies later this came out. Jackies first all English speaking film. As long as you don't count The Protector and Big Brawl.I have to say I wasn't looking forward too seeing this anyway. The story didn't sound too impressive from the start. And it isn't. Its very convoluted. A TV chef who seems to have super hero capabilities? The acting is really bad (look out for some famous Astralian soap stars though). But its the action that really fails. Anytime some good action is about to take place the image turns into this blurry slow motion technique that makes it hard to see whats going on.Okay some great moments along the way. And a brilliant cameo from Sammo Hung. But is it really worth it?
