No use trying to hide my unabashed admiration for Jackie Chan. I’m on cloud nine over the announcement about his upcoming honorary Oscar for his special contribution to movies. He certainly deserves that recognition. The creative way he combines Kung Fu comedy with well-choreographed fights and stunts is absolutely amazing! Chan almost always appears blessed with Gene Kelly’s grace, Fred Astaire’s timing, and Buster Keaton’s humor. Happily, Skiptrace carries on that tradition. Chan is 62 now, so he’s not as spry as in his earlier days, of course. But he’s still got all the right moves. And he’s so much fun to watch!   

You can’t go wrong with Jackie Chan.

He gives us thrills, so I’m a fan.

Skiptrace shows Chan’s amusing side

and takes us for a fun wild ride.

Johnny Knoxville adds his own touch.

Compared to Chan, it’s not too much.

But he gets laughs along the way

and won me over, I must say.   

Great stunts galore fill up the screen.

While Chan fights people who are mean.

Exotic places come in view --

wide vistas, and not just a few.

This film may go on way too long.

But still I want to sing a song

of praise for Jackie Chan’s talent,

which age has only slightly dent.

More power to you, Jackie Chan.

Keep making films, cause you’re the Man!

This time Chan plays Bennie, a Hong Kong detective on a mission involving a wisecracking American gambler named Connor (Knoxville), the Russian mafia, and Bennie’s god-daughter Samantha (Fan Bingbing). If Bennie fails to bring Connor to the Russians, his god-daughter will be in grave danger. Bennie and Connor are forced to work together to save Samantha, who has already charmed Connor at the beginning of the film.

Chan and Knoxville make an amusing couple. Their characters get on each other’s nerves as they journey through the Gobi desert and parts of rural China. Several funny slapstick situations occur along with sharp banter between these two very different men.  And they have to fight against such formidable foes as a super strong Russian woman (the remarkable Eva Torres). During this LONG journey, viewers get treated to gorgeous location shots and fascinating local customs. A lovely lantern ceremony and the delightful “sing-to-enter” sequence are highlights to me. Also enjoyable is a surprising rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” during a welcome break from all the fast-paced action.   

Still, Skiptrace is Jackie Chan’s movie. Is it among his best? Probably not, but fans like me are happy this film gives us another chance to watch Chan's screen magic.              

(Released by Saban Films and rated “PG-13” for action/violence, some suggestive content, language, brief nudity and drug material.)

For more information about Skiptrace, go to the IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes web site.)