Oct. 24, 2002 Jackie Chan fans will appreciate "The Tuxedo" as it fulfills the promise of action and gymnastic prowess, but this second-rate adventure is clumsy and poorly written. Jimmy Tong (Chan) is a former New York taxi driver, now a chauffeur, who discovers his boss's powers as a millionaire playboy come from a black cybernetic tuxedo that turns the wearer into a powerful dizzying dervish.
When the boss, Clark Devlin (Jason Isaacs), a special agent a la James Bond, is hospitalized after an assassination attempt, Tong dons the tuxedo and turns into a smooth-talking ladies man with super powers. Tong impersonates Devlin and teams up with rookie agent, Del Blaine (Jennifer Love Hewitt), to track a dastardly plot that has something to do with contaminating the world's water supply with harmful bacteria.
In superficial ways, "The Tuxedo" is similar to 1994's "The Mask" with Jim Carrey. The tuxedo/mask is more powerful than the comic actor inside it, and though the physical humor that results is entertaining, "The Tuxedo" is clichéd and uninspired.
Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter writes: "Chan is the only actor allowed leeway to develop a character, in this case a shy, sometime clumsy guy whose only expertise lies in driving maniacally through midtown traffic. Oddly, Hewitt is asked to play a woman in perpetual bad humor. Some klunky sexual gags directed at her, though mild by today's standards, don't help matters."
Other critics complain the special effects and stunt doubles don't belong in a Chan vehicle.
The 1 hour 35 minute film is rated PG-13 for action violence, sexual content and language.
"The Tuxedo" is now playing at Market Square East.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.