Who Am I?
1998
Directors: Jackie Chan, Benny Chan
Stars: Jackie Chan, Michelle Ferre, Mirai Yamamoto
Chan is a secret agent trying to obtain a deadly new substance which could turn into a powerful new weapon when he loses his memory. After being rescued by an African tribe, Chan takes the name "Who Am I" and goes on a world-wide crusade to find his identity while being chased by some crooked CIA agents.
Who Am I? was released directly to cable (and then to video/DVD) in the US, but I don't see why. It's better than many of Chan's re-releases (such as Mr. Nice Guy and Twin Dragons) that have hit the US recently. True, the movie does have its' problems -- mostly due to the butchering editing job Columbia did which cuts out much of the African sequence and creates huge plot holes (for instance, in one scene Chan sees trucks and says "I'm saved," and then in the next he's lurking around in the bush with face paint). Who Am I? also suffers from the no-brain female sidekick syndrome found in many of Chan's movies -- the Japanese race car driver (Mirai Yamamoto) in particular is probably one of the most annoying characters ever in a Chan movie, and that's saying a lot. The script (written by Chan) is also laughably bad in parts.
However, Who Am I? is saved by its action sequences. Though it takes a while to get to them, the fights and chases in Who Am I? are among Chan's best work in years. The finale in particular is great. It brings back what has been sorely missing in many recent Chan movies -- a great final brawl (which will bring back memories of Drunken Master 2 for long-time Chan fans) followed by a breath-taking stunt. The last half-hour of Who Am I? will remind you of why you started liking Jackie Chan in the first place, especially after the anemic (and over-rated, in my opinion) Rush Hour.
RATING: 7
A review of the DVD for this movie (US version) can be found here