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The Appropriate Tune - "Battle Creek Brawl (Apocalypse Bass)", by GUNSHOT
Another day, another film. This time I’m feeling like some martial arts action, maybe by one of the most famous martial artists in film history. Let’s see if there’s anything like that around here…
In Battle Creek Brawl (or The Big Brawl as it’s also known), Jackie Chan stars as Jerry Kwan, a young man living with his restaurant owner father in Chicago in the not-quite-roaring 30’s. Jerry is just trying to make in this crazy world, but the local mob ain’t making it easy on him or anyone. Looks like he’s going to have to use his masterful skill with the martial arts to figure something out, which may come in handy considering there’s a big fight coming up in Battle Creek.
This is famously Chan’s first attempt at breaking into the American market after achieving success in Hong Kong’s film, emphasizing the incredible acrobatics and knack for physical comedy which were his main strengths at the time. I have to wonder what audiences at the time made of Jackie Chan; The last kung fu star to make it big in the States would have been the late Bruce Lee, right? A more serious, simple performer compared to the light-hearted Chan and his more elaborate, less realistic choreography. I guess audiences weren’t ready for it, since it took another five years for him to headline another American film, but I don’t think the film failed to showcase Chan’s talents. I think Americans might just have a lower tolerance for period pieces.
And you know what? It can also be fairly funny to boot, even outside of Chan’s spots. Plus where else are you going to seethe voice of Uncle Iroh from Avatar get it on with a lady twice his size? That’s a thumbs up from me folks.
STATUS: RECOMMENDED
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