Shinjuku Incident (2009)

Contrary to many, at least outside the US, I was introduced to Jackie Chan through Rumble in the Bronx. It was his first big hit in the US, and it ushered in a bunch of other Chan films (i.e. Superop, First Strike) into theaters. It was invigorating to see someone with Chan's skills as a fighter, using martial arts like a dancer and doing it all (sometimes painfully) himself. Then audiences could dig in to one of two things: his previous catalog of work from Hong Kong (i.e. Police Story series, Drunken Master), or films like Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon/Knights and his stint in Hollywood. But now he's in his mid-50's, and one wonders if we might see the last of Chan as a real action-oriented star, especially considering forgettable drek like The Spy Next Door is still playing in theaters.

But there is perhaps some hope, and coming in part from Chan himself (for this film he's exec-producer). In The Shinjuku Incident, we see a step forward for Chan in being simply a dramatic actor, as opposed to doing tons of fights and martial arts. Sure, there's still a few stunts to pull in the film, but nothing more than hitting someone with a stick or chopping off a hand really "happens" in terms of the stunts (or, of course, running). Chan is at the service of the story as an actor, and maybe we'll see more of these thrillers or dramas with him as the star; whether they range from greatness to crap is left to be seen. Shinjuku Incident is a nice step in a direction quite removed from The Spy Next Door, and is worth seeing for Chan first, then as a decent Yakuza movie.

The premise has Chan, as a character nicknamed "Steelhead" for his work early on in the film as a laborer, coming to Japan to work menial jobs and find a girl he knew in his village. But he also needs to become a legal citizen (there's a lot of illegals coming into Japan, we learn, as it's the 1990's before China's economic boom), and soon becomes absorbed into a life of crime. Or rather, he does a couple of jobs- one especially for revenge for a friend whose hand was cut off- and ascends to become head of a triad. The story mechanics are a little complicated at times- you do have to pay attention to who is in charge where or who has a vendetta against someone else (in the last third it becomes clearer and more focused to understand)- and the characters are well laid out.

As far as being quite original, I'm not sure. These sorts of stories and ideas have been dealt with before, and none other than Takashi Miike has made a career in part on doing stories about Yakuzai and/or Triad gangs (his first film was even called Shinjuku Triad Society, and concerns a similar theme present in this film: China vs. Japan gangs). And by the end the drama is a bit forced, and a resolution involving a USB is a little circumspect, just as a contrivance really. But it's competently told and filmed by Tung-Shing Yee, who has a history with crime films, and he can always come back to his star when he needs a strong dramatic lead (not that some of the other actors, like the one playing the amputee with a facial scar who becomes a drug dealer, don't do their best too).

I was surprised by how moving Chan could be, if not as memorable as in his Drunken Master days, and it's a good sign of things to come as he goes on in years. It's a small, exciting movie with no big surprises and some interesting dramatic beats.

Fmovies: Jackie Chan's darkest film yet is a quality piece of drama exploring life within Japan's Yakuza gangs. It's a very atypical film for the star, better known these days for his kid-friendly fare in American family films. For fans of Asian thrillers, the gangster elements will be largely familiar, but they're introduced in a novel and interesting way; it's the first film I've seen detailing the plight of Chinese refugee immigrants in Japan.

The twisty-turny plot offers up many twists that are difficult to predict, and the on-screen action is never less than interesting. Jackie gets the opportunity to focus on his acting rather than his martial arts for a change, and he shines as the conflicted farmhand-turned-gangster. Although this isn't an action film per se, there are many memorable set-pieces, not least a large-scale climax that makes for riveting entertainment.

The film's well-shot, if a little dark, and features decent turns from actors in supporting roles (Japanese actors Naoto Takenaka and Masaya Kato are both excellent). Daniel Wu's character in the film undergoes a particularly frightening and believable transformation. The scenes of violence and torture may not be for every viewer's taste, but THE SHINJUKU INCIDENT is a rewarding experience for those viewers exploring Jackie's progression as an actor.

Yes, Jackie Chan can do serious drama acting.

In fact, if you're a fan or you're familiar with his pass work, such as 1985 "Heart of Dragon", he's drama acting is quite good.

Westerners who only know Jackie by "Rush Hour" might find this film distasteful as it doesn't fit their stereotypical expectation of a funny/silly ass kicking Jackie Chan.

This movie puts on stage the tragic human drama of Chinese illegal immigrants in japan. The film payed a lot of attention in the details, and its backed up by so many good/great actors from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and japan.

The director strikes a PERFECT balance in handling the sensitive relationship between Chinese and Japanese.

There isn't much special effects in this movie. It all comes down to the realistic acting and intriguing storyline and ends with a befitting conclusion.

It's very unfortunate this movie hasn't received the publicity it deserves especially in the west. If you're observant, you might notice that even "IMDb.com" is downplaying the influence of great Asian movies such as this one by giving it a Cantonese title "San Suk Si Gin (2009)" instead of "Shinjiku Incident" in an attempt to withhold it from English speaking audience.

Everyone from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and most of all japan, SHOULD WATCH THIS MOVIE.

Ironically, if you're westerner who likes Jackie Chan because of Rush hour, YOU DEFINITELY WON'T LIKE THIS DRAMA!

Shinjuku Incident fmovies. Another inspiring and meaningful movie directed by Derek Yee, he still intends to educate his audience after the success of "Protege" The story of the movie is very very good indeed. 10years of planning in pre-pro gives Derek Yee a solid script, but he tends to inject too many incidents and characters to the movie. Which is why, he didn't actually put all his effort into every scenes. I cannot really recognize his style in this movie, but of course he is still very focusing on the message of the story. No action and stunts by Jackie Chan, which is...quite weird for me....but we all gotta try to accept him...maybe give him a chance. Another fantastic performance by Daniel Wu, always maintain his own acting style while he has already possessed to his character. "Shinjuku Incident" is a movie that is worth for a watch, if you are not looking for an excellent cinematography and editing aspects.

In China, the poor worker Nick (Jackie Chan) works repairing tractors and misses his sweetheart Xiu Xiu (Jinglei Xu) that moved to Japan and has never sent any news to her family or him. While illegally emigrating to Japan, Nick loses his Chinese documents; therefore his journey would have no return to his country. He is welcomed by his countrymen that lodge and help him to find illegal work in Shinjuku. While running from a police raid in the sewage system where Chinese are illegally working, Nick saves Inspector Kitano (Naoto Takenaka) from drowning in the dirty water. Later, after an incident with his cousin Joe (Daniel Wu) and the Taiwan gang, Nick saves the powerful Yakuza boss Toshinari Eguchi (Masaya Kato) and husband of Xiu Xiu, who is now called Yuko and has a little daughter with Eguchi. The mobster offers a dirty job to Nick; in retribution, he promises to deliver the quarter dominated by the Taiwan gang to him. Nick becomes the boss of the Chinese illegal immigrants; however he loses control of his countrymen, leading the Chinese gang to a tragic end.

"San Suk Si Gin" is a surprisingly great Yakuza movie that discloses the raise and fall of a poor illegal immigrant with warming-heart in an environment of corruption, betrayal and greed. I dare to say that the storyline is very similar to 1983 "Scarface", now set in place in an exotic neighborhood. The anti-hero Jackie Chan is a contradictory man with good principles that loses his innocence in a hostile environment and is capable of murdering to improve his and his countrymen's lives. My only remark is the ridiculous Brazilian DVD released by the distributor Califórnia Filmes that does not offer the original languages (Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese) but only awfully versions dubbed in English or Portuguese instead. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Massacre no Bairro Chines" ("Massacre in the Chinese Quarter")

I want to start by saying this: if you're a fan of Jackie Chan's usual slapstick acrobatics and comedy that doesn't mean you should shy away from this film. Yes, many of those movies are great but it's also nice to know he can...you know...actually act. Just think of it like Robin Williams doing One Hour Photo. Sure, you knew him as Mork, but he was absolutely perfect for his role in One Hour Photo as the insanely creepy photo lab guy. And so it goes for Jackie Chan. His bread and butter will always be goofball kung fu films but man...he can definitely act if he has to.

In terms of plot there really isn't much you haven't seen before in this film. If you've ever watched a movie about a guy crossing the Yakuza while trying to get the girl, not a whole lot will be new here. I did like the added sense of unity that most Yakuza movies lack with all of the Chinese immigrants. Also, the film touches on the often tenuous relationship that China and Japan share. That's not usually presented in a realistic manner...maybe in Jet Li's Fist Of Legend (still one of the best kung fu flicks to date in my opinion), but that's more of a period piece. And forget about all of those Men Behind The Sun films...while they may be somewhat accurate they're more like snuff films than a real historical look. This may also be (to my knowledge, anyway) Jackie's first Category III movie (for westerners who are unfamiliar, this would be the equivalent of the US's Unrated status or maybe the UK's 18 rating. And I think the Aussies have MA-18? Whatever). So it took Chan until his 50s to make a movie with enough substance to carry such a heavy rating.

I'd definitely recommend this for Jackie Chan fans...especially the ones who started to feel like they'd gotten a bit tired of seeing him doing the same "awe shucks" good guy hero thing. Don't get me wrong...Dragons Forever ranks right up there for me among kung fu films, but you can only milk that for so long, you know? Hell...even Adam Sandler moved on and, let's face it, he's not the most mature guy in the world. But Chan succeeds where Sandler failed...he proved he can be counted on in a dead serious role and deliver as good as ever.