The Foreigner

I didn’t expect the final result. When I saw Jackie Chan’s name, I envisioned a high-octane action movie. Instead, what unfolded was a spy drama about the IRA, focusing more on a sophisticated plot than on action. It might sound like I’m disappointed, but quite the opposite. Pierce Brosnan and his dialogues, spiced up with some very effective explosions and one-on-one combat scenes (which were handled by Chan), were great. The plot started off brilliantly, and toward the end, it seemed like the script was running out of steam, but I was always proven wrong (plus, thumbs up for the fact that even though there were many surprising twists, I didn’t get lost... everything made sense). Martin Campbell knows how to make a solid film (Casino Royale being a prime example). The ending, and especially Chan’s fight in the apartment with the bombers, confirmed that The Foreigner was a success. I definitely recommend it, not only to fans of the two lead actors. I give it 82%. (04/12/2019)

Jackie Chan, under the direction of Martin Campbell, has made quite possibly his best film in the last five years and it's nice to see that he is still in form, it's just a pity that the real action only comes at the end. The fight in the woods and the confrontation in the house are very solid, Pierce Brosnan is fine as the villain. Story-wise it could have been more interesting, and I found the first half hour a bit annoying as the stubborn Jackie went a bit overboard with the constant questioning of his daughter about the killer, but otherwise a decent flick that doesn't offend. Next time less politics and more action and it'll be a 4. 70%. (12/06/2017)

From now on I will look at all the old guys in Chinese restaurants with greater respect. Bond vs. a Chinese Rambo in a solid political thriller about the IRA bombing campaign. Jackie Chan excels in the strong, minimalist role of the destroyed father. Brosnan has greater room and his Irish cussing is nectar for the ears. Campbell’s direction is highly skilled and he has something to say, but he talks about government intrigues instead of the vengeful Chinese man, which is a bit of a shame. Even so, this is an excellent movie. Martinez’s pulsing music works excellently. (11/08/2018)

A real political (non) action thriller made in the old school way is the best policy. It is perhaps only hampered by the excessive Vandammian split between the two approaches; Chan's “(all) capable rambo-retiree having a vendetta" and Brosnan's “ambivalent intra-party IRA / Sinn Féin plotting". It seems that Chan's story line was additionally incorporated into Brosnan's. Because it plays a leading role and stands on its own (after all, Quan's actions have no effect at all it, everything would take place in exactly the same way without him). In any case, both story lines work great, but each on its own and there is no point in denying that even if they intersect in terns of plot, their style is completely different. Otherwise I think it´s great. Provided that you expect something in the style of a more chatty variation of Belmondo's Professional rather than Neeson's Taken. (01/14/2018)

The Foreigner is a decent thriller in which Pierce Brosnan’s politician is a more interesting character than Jackie Chan’s avenger. Brosnan is a British Kevin Costner – a charismatic nice guy who, however, can also be a great fit for a dark role when he decides to take one from time to time. Do not expect to see too many of Chan’s fights, as they serve just to spice up the story of dirty political schemes with undertones of IRA terrorism, which the film presents to the audience in an attractive way with rising tension and pushing the characters into a corner. And frequent explosions. I enjoyed it, mainly because of the great Brosnan and his Irish accent, and also thanks to Cliff Martinez’s score comprising electronic music, which is seldom used in this particular movie genre. (01/22/2018)