Fridae

Here's the highly-anticipated big-budget epic-adventure from Hong
Kong.

Shot in various parts of China, it stars action figure Jackie Chan
as a modern-day archaeologist who stumbles upon a hidden mausoleum.
Thanks to an ancient spell, Jackie is transported back in time to
his previous life as a Qin dynasty general who is in love with a
Korean princess (Korean babe Kim Hee-seon). She, however, is betrothed
to the Qin emperor.

Written and directed by Stanley Tong (Police Story 3),
The Myth is an ambitious project that's been hyped to the
max. But it doesn't always deliver. Its Indiana Jones-type storyline
takes audiences to some magnificent locations and sets, but the
story itself has loopholes and implausible moments.

Not content with being an action megastar, Jackie has been trying
to stretch his dramatic/romantic range in his recent movies. But
the results aren't as satisfying here as in last year's New
Police Story. His attempt at playing the forlorn romantic hero
in The Myth just comes across as cheesy.

Seriously speaking, we don't know why Jackie is so determined to
stretch his acting range. He is already a far better actor than
any American action hero, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sly Stallone
and Steven Seagal. He's always known how to delight audiences with
his likeable Everyman persona and action-cum-slapstick moves. Our
advice to Jackie: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!