Jackie’s day out

Film: Rob-B-Hood
Director: Benny Chan
Starring: Jackie Chan, Baoguo Chen, Michael Hui, Louis Koo

Mr Nice Guy Jackie Chan turns evil. This is the highlight of the film. But like all Jackie Chan movies, this is also a fun-action fare. So don’t worry. Finally, everyone will be happy.
The film follows a group of thieves made up of Thongs (Chan), Octopus (Louis Koo), and Landlord (Michael Hui). They steal for different reasons. Thongs is a compulsive gambler who faces debt collectors at his door. Octopus spends his fortunes to court a rich girl. Landlord does not spend his loot, but saves all of it and keeps it in a safe in his house. Soon the safe is broken into, and in a desperate bid to earn money they become the privy to a plot to kidnap the grandson of a rich tycoon. Predictably, things go wrong, and the thieves end up taking care of the baby, from singing lullabies to changing his diapers.
If the plot sounds familiar, then you have seen this kind of films before, from Home Alone to Baby’s Day Out. But when there’s a Jackie Chan in the project, it’s bound to be hilarious. The film has its funny moments, and Chan’s signature action set-pieces as well.
Sadly, however, Chan is past his prime. It’s not the Rush Hour anymore. Yet, he does his best with admirable flexibility. The kid in question also lights up the screen.
Even if you are not a Jackie Chan fan, you can have a dekko, provided you have nothing better to do.
Rating: ** 1/2