If you ever wanted to see those classic “buddy comedy” films mashed together, well here you go! Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville star in “Skiptrace”, which does indeed sound like a “Rush Hour Midnight Run” mashup!
Here’s the plot: a detective from Hong Kong teams up with an American gambler to battle against a notorious Chinese criminal.
Well, that’s got “Rush Hour” and “Midnight Run” written all over it!
First, check out the trailer:
“Skiptrace” Skips Traditional Release!
First of all, “Skiptrace” looks like a lot of fun – both Actors seem to be having a blast, and Director Renny Harlin, best known for “Cliffhanger”, knows how to put together great action sequences.
This buddy comedy was made this year, but it bypassed theatrical release in the US and went straight to on demand…something we see a lot of these days…remember this?
Keanu Reeves made a terrific kung fu action film, but it was never released in movie theaters! It’s just one of many “direct to ondemand” films starring everyone from John Travolta to James Franco and more…see a list of some of the best of them here:
That was the fate of “Skiptrace” as well, although it was a massive hit overseas!
The film was shot in China, Russia and Mongolia, as well as the territories of Macau, Hong Kong and Inner Mongolia!
China’s Box Office Bonanza!
While you can see the film right now on demand in the US, the film was number-one on its opening in China, grossing $60 million + so far just in that one country!
That’s the way movies are sold these days – the idea of finding them in your local multiplex isn’t assured, even if they are huge hits elsewhere!
Here is some fun trivia from IMDB:
“the Mandarin/Chinese song that Johnny Knoxville sings in the movie, and that can be seen in the trailer is actually Jackie Chan’s song ‘Ming Ming Bai Bai Wo De Xin” (Please Understand My Heart). Back in Hong Kong, beside known as an actor Jackie Chan has released several albums as a singer and he’s a good singer as well!”
So Jackie Chan is a hugely successful singer in Asia, and he and Johnny Knoxville made a frat-looking buddy action comedy!
Well, I will give this film a shot, since it looks like a lot of fun! Speaking of which, you must also check out the “Godfather of buddy movies”:
“Midnight Run” is hilarious, action-packed, and full of great characters and even better one-liners:
“Hey dummy number two, put dummy number one back on the line.”
I doubt I will be bothering with any Jackie Chan film, John. I find his slapstick humour a little too dated for my taste. However, I will second your remarks about ‘Midnight Run’, which is always a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
Best wishes, Pete.
Pete, I find the movie business fascinating but a bit distressing – this film would have grossed $50-mil in the US a decade ago, now it goes right to home video. Quality aside, the films getting released continues to shrink – as does the quality!
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johnrieber 
I doubt I will be bothering with any Jackie Chan film, John. I find his slapstick humour a little too dated for my taste. However, I will second your remarks about ‘Midnight Run’, which is always a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, I find the movie business fascinating but a bit distressing – this film would have grossed $50-mil in the US a decade ago, now it goes right to home video. Quality aside, the films getting released continues to shrink – as does the quality!
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