Ride On Movie Review: Jackie Chan As Ageing Stuntman Confirms Hes Too Old For This Gig In This Love Letter To The Profession
- Chan plays a kung fu stuntman facing mounting debt as the industry increasingly relies on computer-generated effects instead of hands-on stunts.
- The film pays homage to Chan's most memorable films like Police Story and Dragon Lord - so ironically, it's a scene-stealing horse.
2/5 stars
Writer-director Larry Yang Jie's "Ride On" will be released in Chinese theaters on April 7 to coincide with star Jackie Chan's 69th birthday.
Dedicated "to all the kung fu stuntmen who have contributed to the 100-year history of Chinese cinema," the film follows Chan's aging stuntman Luo as he retires, reunites with his estranged daughter, and finds himself embroiled in a fierce custody battle. Longtime stunt horse
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It's ironic that it's Chan's laid-back co-star who steals the show, while Chan more than anything else confirms our growing suspicion that he's too old to act.
Once the greatest stuntman in the business, Luo is now on the edge. The industry's growing reliance on computer-generated effects for practical stunts, combined with mounting debts, allowed him to live in movie studios, doing a meager photo shoot with his beloved horse, Red Hare.
When a corporate dispute and Andy's aggressive collection of Chi-Kit's debts both target Red Hair so Luo can pay off his debt, he is forced to take legal action.
© South China Morning Post Liu Haokun (left) and Jackie Chan provide a photo from Ride On .Luo reluctantly reaches out to Bao (Liu Haokun), her estranged daughter, who convinces her boyfriend Mickey (Kevin Guo Qilin), a newly graduated lawyer, to defend Luo.
Meanwhile, Shi Yaneng offers work to successful action choreographer Luo, who aims to showcase old-school action of Luo and Red Hair in his new film.
Knowing no other way to survive, Luo eagerly enlisted. There are a number of homages to Chan's many memorable action roles, from Police Story and Dragon Lord to Armor of God and Project A.
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However, Bao is increasingly concerned for his father's safety, and his fiercely loyal horse, as he calls it, doesn't choose to grow up in such a dangerous profession.
Director Yang obviously has very good intentions, and with the film released the same year where John Wick wows audiences with his hands-on stunt work - like the new Mission Impossible movie due out in July - Ride On might just be right.
While Luo laments his art's over-reliance on CGI, Ride On is clearly guilty of preserving Chan's legacy with the same technique.
© South China Morning Post Jackie Chan provided a photo from Ride On .Nowhere is this more apparent than during the traditional end credits, which show green screen stunt performers helping keep the horses safe, but also the humbling reality of Chan's waning athleticism.
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