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(About Our Ads) "AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS" (2004) (Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan) (PG) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Heavy Minor Extreme Minor Heavy Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Moderate None Moderate None Minor Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Moderate Minor None Mild *Heavy QUICK TAKE: Action/Adventure: A turn of the century inventor and his two companions try to circle the globe in just eighty days to win a bet. PLOT: Phileas Fogg (STEVE COOGAN) is a turn of the century English scientist whose forward-thinking inventions don't sit well with the stodgy Royal Academy of Science or its status quo Minister of Science, Lord Kelvin (JIM BROADBENT). When Lau Xing (JACKIE CHAN) robs the Bank of England of a previously stolen Jade Buddha, Fogg calculates how long it would take such a robber to make his way around the world. Lord Kelvin immediately dismisses the notion, but then challenges the inventor to a bet. If he can manage to circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days, Kelvin will step down from his position, ceding it to Fogg. But if the inventor fails, he agrees never to step foot in the Academy or invent anything again. Fogg reluctantly takes the bet and then prepares for his journey. Little does he know, however, that his new valet and test subject, Passepartout, is actually Lau Xing who's taken a job with him to elude the authorities. After side-stepping local constable Inspector Fix (EWEN BREMNER), the two set out on their journey, eventually picking up French impressionist painter Monique La Roche (CECILE DE FRANCE) as their third partner. As they encounter the likes of Prince Hapi (ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER) along the way, the three must not only contend with the trials and tribulations of their long trip, but they must also deal with Lord Kelvin's attempts to stop them. That includes him conspiring with Asian villainess General Fang (KAREN JOY MORRIS) and her army of martial arts warriors to put an end to the globetrotting trip. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? It might appeal to some along with those who are fans of anyone in the cast. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG For action violence, some crude humor and mild language. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: JACKIE CHAN plays an Asian man who robs the Bank of England to retrieve his village's prized Jade Buddha. He then teams up with Fogg to elude the authorities and agrees to travel around the world with him so that he can return the statuette to his people. He fights various villains with martial arts prowess. STEVE COOGAN plays a forward-thinking inventor and scientist who agrees to take Kelvin's bet regarding whether he can circle the world in 80 days. CECILE DE FRANCE plays an aspiring impressionist painter who joins and assists Fogg and Lau Xing on their quest. JIM BROADBENT plays the stodgy and stubborn Minister of Science who doesn't believe in changes and challenges Fogg to a bet regarding whether the latter can circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days. He conspires with Fang and tries to harm various people, directly and indirectly. EWEN BREMNER plays the local constable ordered by Kelvin to find and stop Fogg and the others. KAREN JOY MORRIS plays a villainess who's in cahoots with Kelvin and tries to have Lau Xing and the others killed. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER plays a lecherous prince who welcomes the travelers into his kingdom, but wants Monique to stay behind as his 7th wife. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this action/adventure flick that's been rated PG. Profanity consists of a handful of minor expletives, while some colorful phrases and bits of gay and polygamy related dialogue are present. Some cancan girls (or hookers) are briefly seen in period revealing attire, some belly dancers are briefly seen in traditional garb and some other cleavage is present. As is a great deal of standard and improvised martial arts fighting, most of which occurs along the lines of that found in most any recent Jackie Chan film (with many punches, kicks, etc.), but nothing is graphic and no deaths are apparent. Some quills and small knives are thrown and stick into people (no blood), others are struck in various ways, and some slapstick material is also present. A few scenes might be a tiny bit suspenseful to very young viewers, while all of the fighting and stunts might be enticing for some kids to imitate. Various villains and others have bad attitudes, some encouraged drinking and unintentional drunkenness occurs, while a few miscellaneous characters smoke. Brief crude humor is also present (talk of public urination and nearly doing so). Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE A miscellaneous person has a drink. A miscellaneous person drinks. Monique states, "Champagne for everyone" (but we don't see any). A miscellaneous person holds a drink. Monique and Lau Xing have champagne. We see several wine or champagne bottles and then see Lau Xing, Fogg, Monique and Prince Hapi with drinks in a "hot tub." A miscellaneous person drinks. Lau Xing's mother gives Fogg a small cup of liquor, while others have the same in front of them. She then has him drink more and he's eventually drunk and falls from being in that state. Later, Lau Xing's mother has him drinking more and keeps urging that, while others also drink. He's then drunk again and stumbles into a bed, stating that he feels awful. We see some miscellaneous drinking. We see a street sign that reads "Drug broker" (but we don't know if that means lawful pharmaceuticals or what). BLOOD/GORE A prisoner talks about being imprisoned for urinating in public. Later, and after being freed, he acts as if he's going to do that in front of others, but is then taken away. A homeless man apparently smells bad (others react to that). DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Lau Xing robs the Bank of England (and initially seems to have a bad attitude for doing so), but has done so to retrieve the Jade Buddha that had previously been stolen from his village. Lord Kelvin makes fun of Fogg and his ideas, saying he's a ridiculous dreamer. Others then laugh at Fogg as well. Fang gives the order for someone to be killed. A painter puts Monique in her place about her work, saying she should leave art to the artists. Several characters tell white lies about little things. An older woman takes Fogg's bag and says that it's hers. Prince Hapi informs Monique that he wants her to be his seventh wife, stating he has one for each day. He then asks if Tuesdays work for her. Lord Kelvin puts out a global wanted statement for Fogg and Lau Xing. A woman seemingly accidentally knocks down Fogg, but we then see that she's done so to rob him. Fang conspires with Lord Kelvin for her to get land and him to win his bet with Fogg. A cop acts as if he's helping the three, but actually turns them over to Fang and her men. All of the people who fight Lau Xing with the intent of harming or killing him obviously have bad attitudes. Lord Kelvin belittles more people, including the Queen. FRIGHTENING SCENES Scenes listed under "Violence" may be unsettling or suspenseful to some younger viewers, but most are played in an action and/or comedy fashion. Lau Xing jumps through a window and puts out a fire in a trash can in an apartment as a mother sleeps and her child is nearby. An enormous metal book (part of a statue) starts to fall toward Lau Xing and Fang, with Fogg jumping in and trying to save his friend. Lau Xing pushes him back and the book falls, seemingly crushing Lau Xing and Fang. Lau Xing then comes crawling out from beneath it. While flying toward London, Lau Xing, Fogg and Monique develop some problems and come in for a hard landing (some younger kids might find that a little suspenseful). GUNS/WEAPONS Pistols/Rifles/Swords/Knives/Other blades: Carried and/or used to threaten and/or attempt to wound or kill others. See "Violence" for details. We hear the sound of gunshots in one locale. We hear the sound of gunshots in San Francisco. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "You idiot," "What a fool," "Bloody," "You coward," "Blimey hell," "Damn that nincompoop," "You imbecile," "Numbskull," "Moron," "Dames," "You ninny," "How the hell are we getting back?" "Buffoon," "You mumbling moron," "Spineless cretins," "Half-wits" and "Inbred, antiquated cow." All of the fighting and stunts might be enticing for some kids to imitate. Lau Xing has a tattoo on his arm, while various miscellaneous characters also sport tattoos. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) A moderate amount of suspenseful, dramatic and action-oriented music plays in the film. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 2 damns, 2 hells and 2 uses of "My God." SEX/NUDITY After Monique notices that Fogg is entranced by her impressionistic painting of a flying man, she asks if he dreams of flying and then adds, "Or naked men?" (the figure is shirtless). Fogg says that he does, but then says he means about flying. While hanging from a rope dangling from a hot air balloon, Lau Xing spots what appear to be several cancan girls (or hookers) in period revealing attire (we see some cleavage and exposed legs) who are with one man (he's seated and they're around him). Lau Xing takes a running start and jumps out a window to grab a hold of a rope dangling from a hot air balloon. He then slams into a statue and his pants get caught on it and are then torn off as he's pulled away (we see him in his boxers). After Fogg fails to convince some train conductors to make their train go faster, Monique says she'll try. She then comes back successful and smiling as do the train men (one twirling his moustache). It's possible that it's implied she used sexual favors to convince them, but that's never made clear and nothing more is made of that. Fogg likes Monique and stares at her exposed, stocking covered leg (nothing explicit). Some classic style statues show bare breasts, while one of Rodin's The Thinker shows part of the seated man's bare butt. We see some belly dancers in bikini style tops. Monique wears a low-cut top in a "hot tub" and shows some cleavage. Prince Hapi informs Monique that he wants her to be his seventh wife, stating he has one for each day. He then asks if Tuesdays work for her. As Fogg is partially asleep or knocked silly, we hear him saying something along the lines of "You must go, my husband will be home soon" (suggesting it's something he's been told in the past). A miscellaneous women shows cleavage. After Fogg states that he wore women's clothing during their trip (as a disguise), an older male dignitary knowingly smiles at him. SMOKING Several miscellaneous people are seen smoking (including pipes). TENSE FAMILY SCENES None. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT Transportation options at the turn of the century. Inventors. While in women's clothing to hide from others who are after them, Fogg states that perhaps he should wear women's clothing more often. The historical revisionism showcased in the film. A ship captain talks of a shark biting off his nipples. VIOLENCE The fighting that occurs is along the lines of that found in most any recent Jackie Chan film where a tremendous amount occurs (with many blows, etc.), but nothing is graphic and no deaths are apparent. Lau Xing crashes to the street below him on a couch (after robbing a bank of his village's possession). Lau Xing becomes airborne with a steam "jet pack" on his back that sends him flying around London until he crashes head first into a lamp post, severely bending it (but he's okay). Lord Kelvin throws things at an inspector who failed him and we then see that man with quills imbedded in the back of his shirt (no blood). Lord Kelvin throws a large quill at Fang who blocks it with her hand fan. She then throws it back at him and we see it sticking out of a painting with a small knife also sticking out of the painted figure's clothed crotch. Fix burns his hand on a steam engine and then has his foot caught in a rope attached to the car that drags him away (all played for comedy). We then hear the car crash, see what's presumably oil on Fix's head, and then part of the car falls onto his head, knocking him out. Lau Xing fights several men who attack him, one holding a painter's trowel. He punches, kicks and hits them with various objects in the art studio. An older woman takes Fogg's bag and says that it's hers. She then bites into Lau Xing's clothed shoulder (he says it tickles) as he takes it back from her. That woman then chases after him but falls from a wall and lands quite hard (on her face) on the street. Lau Xing kicks an assailant but is racked in the crotch by a rope attached to a hot air balloon. Monique drops a sandbag from a hot air balloon to take out someone pursuing them. Lau Xing then hangs onto the rope dangling from the balloon and slams into several buildings. Lau Xing takes a running start and jumps out a window to grab a hold of a rope dangling from a hot air balloon. He then slams into a statue and his pants get caught on it and are then torn off as he's pulled away (we see him in his boxers). When confronted by Fix who pulls his pistol, Lau Xing throws hot water onto the man's clothed crotch and then slams a door into his face. Moments later, various things hit and knock Fix around and he ends up falling from the moving train (Lau Xing tries to grab him, but he slips from his grasp -- we don't see any impact with the ground or track). Fogg accidentally breaks Prince Hapi's statue. Lau Xing closes a door on Fix's face, causing him to bang the back of his head and be knocked out. A person tips over a rickshaw like device, dumping Monique and others to the street. Lau Xing tries to fight a large man with a chain while handcuffed to Fix. The large man repeatedly tries to hit them with his large chain, and eventually strikes Fix's foot, while Lau Xing kicks that man backwards. The man then gets the chain around Fix's neck and grabs Lau Xing by the throat. They then get away and the chain ends up pulling the big guy into a wall, knocking him out. Fang grabs Monique by the throat and then hangs her on a hook by her clothes. Lau Xing then causes an awning to drop and hit Fang on the head, knocking her out. Several men hold their swords to Fogg's neck. A warrior has multi-blade arm cuffs (with small knives that come out of the end) that he uses to try to strike Lau Xing. Lau Xing then fights many men with punches and kicks, and is hit several times by the others, ending up getting stuck butt first in a cart. Various good fighters then show up and they help Lau Xing fight the villains (with lots of punching and kicking and spinning a cart around to hit many of them). Some try to hit others with swords, while Lau Xing uses a bench to fight the main villain. A woman seemingly accidentally knocks down Fogg, but we then see that she's done so to rob him. A passerby punches Fogg in the face (thinking he's a homeless man). Lau Xing fights with Fang's men, punching, kicking and hitting them with various objects. Fang then comes at Lau Xing and slices his clothes several times with her long and sharp fingernails. She then throws some small knives at him, with one landing in his arm (no blood). We then hear another knife land in his clothed butt (and then see it sticking out, but there's no blood). Moments later, they're fighting again and he falls a distance, landing hard on his back. She then comes at him with a sword (that he catches between his hands) and then pops out small boot blade that she uses to stab him in the chest (we later see it hit a small book he was carrying, so he's unharmed). An enormous metal book (part of a statue) starts to fall toward Lau Xing and Fang, with Fogg jumping in and trying to save his friend. Lau Xing pushes him back and the book falls, seemingly crushing Lau Xing and Fang. Lau Xing then comes crawling out from beneath it. Monique punches Fang in the face, knocking her out. Lord Kelvin throws or has Fix thrown from a window where he lands in some trash or bags of laundry. We then see something being thrown out that hits Fix there (we hear the sound of the impact). Lord Kelvin throws three large quills at a man and we then see them in a door. We hear the sound of Fix falling down some stairs. Reviewed June 12, 2004 / Posted June 16, 2004