In middle age Jackie Chan can't keep coasting on boyish charm, as evidenced by this dreadful family comedy that does him no favors with its opening title sequence, a montage of action clips recalling earlier work where he performed most of his own complicated stunts and was genuinely funny as well. Here he plays an ace spy eager to retire and marry his neighbor (Amber Valletta), a single mom, when some Russian terrorists with accents thicker than Boris and Natasha's threaten the global oil market. Pressed back into action, Chan simultaneously minds his sweetheart's hostile three kids, the younger of whom are played by two of the worst child actors in decades. The fight sequences (with obvious doubles) are anemic, and Chan's traditional outtakes over the closing credits wear pitifully thin. Brian Levant (
Beethoven) directed.
By
Andrea Gronvall