Miracles (1989)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

People are voting emotionally.

Don't Believe the Hype

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This atypical Chan-starrer is one of his attempts to do something different from the normal, so instead of a kung fu-led thriller, we're treated to a lavish melodrama set in the '30s world of gangsters and exquisite clubs. Fans expecting Chan's usual hijinks will see that the actor retains his brand of slapstick humour throughout, but it's drama, pathos, and romance which fleshes out the rest of the plot, not action. There are about three decent action sequences in the entire movie, all of them quite brilliant in Chan's own inimitable way, but the first two are over very quickly and the last one feels tacked on, arriving at the end of a lengthy film where most of our spirit has been taken out of us already. Saying that, this climax in the rope factory is very good and a treat for those who've watched the rest of the film.The all-star cast is very good indeed, the plot is simple but there are many characters to enliven it and many imaginative situations. Chan is fine as always, ably supported by the late Anita Mui, looking extremely gorgeous here. Veteran performers Bill Tung and Richard Ng provide strong supporting roles with their comedic turns as the fake husband and police chief respectively. The film is awash with cameos from the likes of Yuen Biao. The script is very good and the locations and camera-work excellent. Although the story is very slow-paced, the gentle nature of the comedy and farce and the pleasant characters make it hard to dislike. Not one for action fans, this is instead a more mature, thoughtful and engaging Chinese affair.

"Most Hong Kong film fans know how influenced Jackie Chan is by films from Hollywood's "golden age." Some elements from these movies have crept into many of Chan's own, such as Project A and its' sequel. This movie, however, is not just inspired by those films from years gone by, and perhaps that is why it tends to divide Jackie Chan fans so much.The movie's plot (most of which is derived from a Frank Capra film called Lady for a Day, which was remade in the 1960's as Pocket Full of Miracles) centers around Chan, who plays a immigrant coming to Hong Kong. He meets up with a kindly old flower seller and decides to buy one -- and just narrowly misses being hit by a car. The car is full of gangsters and Chan helps fight off a rival gang. The gang's leader mistakenly makes Chan his successor and the story is off and running. Chan tries to make the gang go legit by opening a club and things seem to be going well, until Chan learns that the flower seller (whose wares have seemed to always bring him good luck) is facing a crisis. Chan enlists the aid of his gangster buddies to hatch a plan to save the day.I will admit this movie has its' share of faults -- a somewhat overlong running time, hammy acting, a cheesy music score, a script too convoluted for its own good, a few too many characters in the mix, and a sugary-sweet ending. However, I found quite a number of good things in the film as well. The movie, for the most part, is fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously and that feeling rubs off on its audience. There's also a nice bit of outright comedy, mostly coming from Richard Ng as a bumbling policeman. Anita Mui delivers a wonderful, almost Bubsy Berkely-esquire song-and-dance number. The action (even though there is not as much of it as in most other Chan movies) is done quite well. Some of the cinematography is quite good for a Jackie Chan movie; supposedly a crane shot of Anita Mui entering a hotel room cost more to shoot than many of Chan's early films. Lastly, it was nice to see such a wide range of stars in the film -- everyone from old-school stars like Mars to more contemporary people like Yuen Biao and Amy Yip.This isn't the usual Jackie Chan fare, but if you're willing to try something a little different, give this film a chance. Despite the bad word of mouth this movie has gotten, you may just be pleasantly surprised.(As a side note, this is Jackie Chan's favorite film of his.)"

This movie is funny and has excellent fight scenes which are very well done! But there isn't a great deal of action here. there is about four or five and needs a bit more to keep it entertaining but i'm not complaining about the few but great fights! just that it is a little long and could of been cut down a bit. there is good humour as well as the little but excellent fights and all in all i give it a 9. the only thing that lets it down is that it is a little too long and there isn't a great deal fights. the few fights are some of Jackies best work though! I would actually recommend this to any Jackie fan but warn that it is a little too long! still very good! Get it on video or DVD if its' cheap (just in case it is too long and you don't like it for that) or watch it if it appears on telly and see what you think. Chan fans will like it. it would be a great example of Jackies' brilliant Martial arts and humour. it is very styled and like i said contains Jackies' action and humour. but any way, it is one of those things that people will love if it is there type of thing! if it isn't, you will hate it!

MR CANTON AND LADY ROSE (Ji Ji)Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Anamorphic)Sound format: Mono1930's Shanghai: A naive country bumpkin (Jackie Chan) is appointed leader of a shady criminal gang and helps an impoverished flower-seller (Gui Yalei) to convince her unwitting family that she's a wealthy society figure with important political connections. Hilarious complications ensue...Eager to dispel the notion that he was little more than an action star, Jackie Chan directed and co-wrote this sumptuous 'homage' to Frank Capra's POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES (1961), distinguished by its high profile cast and breathtaking cinematography by industry veteran Arthur Wong. Beloved by Hong Kong movie fans worldwide, the film's mixture of period detail, balletic action (among the best of Chan's career), uproarious farce and slapstick comedy is undeniably entertaining, but it's also something of a mixed bag. The emphasis on pratfalls and comic complications serves to dilute the basic storyline, and the running time is excessive. But as spectacle, it's hard to beat: The late and much-lamented Anita Mui emerges from Chan's shadow to camp it up as an old-fashioned chanteuse (get a load of her Busby Berkeley-esquire musical number!); the fight scenes are timed and filmed with jaw-dropping style and precision; and Wong's camera swoops and dives over some of the most eye-popping production design this side of a Hollywood blockbuster. Also known as BLACK DRAGON, THE CANTON GODFATHER and MIRACLES.(Cantonese dialogue)