Movie Review: Around the World in 80 Days

I already told you that I have a passion for martial arts movies. I've also already taken the time to explain that I have a thing for literature.

Now I'll mention that I've already seen this movie. Better. Elsewhere.

But that is not to say it's a bad movie, per se. Just that, well, I can't help thinking a person can do better elsewhere.

Surely, a parent could enjoy reading the actual Jules Verne novel and then go see it with their kids and then discuss the differences from both, but, well, you know parents these days. At least the ones I work with. That would take, I dunno, energy from whatever else they are doing.

You see, a crazy inventor (aren't they all like that?) gets a French assistant played by Jackie Chan.

There! Did you see it? You just predicted that there would be kung fu, didn't you?

Anywho, they make this wager that they can go around the world in 80 days. Since the setting is the turn of the century and that the technology isn't exactly up to snuff, there are trials and travials, oh, about every 15 minutes.

This being a Disney film, the action is techcally bloodless, the humor is bored/boredline camp and every plot twist is predictable. I mean, Phineas Fogg sees a painting that he really, really likes (since he's do scientific, he's not, you know, into art) and since the painter is a leggy blond--they MUST become an item.

But here is the strange thing, I found myself content at the end. In it's matter of fact tone, straight-laced pacing, and predictable outcomes, there's something comfortable about this movie. It's like a decent pair of wornout shoes or pizza from the same place again and again. So for all it's unoriginality, I can't really complain. Surely, if I had missed it, I would not have cried and probably would have picked up the DVD...for rental.