Rumble in the Bronx

Director: Stanley Tong
Screenwriters: Fibe Ma, Edward Tang

Institute History

  • 1996 Sundance Film Festival

Description

Since 1978, when Drunken Master launched Jackie Chan into the spotlight of Asian cinema, his films have developed an unprecedented following. He manages to combine death-defying stunts with a charming sense of humor to create a comic-book aesthetic that has made him, literally, the most popular actor in the world—except in America. Despite an ever-growing cult following, he has not had the far-reaching appeal that exists elsewhere in the world. In Rumble in the Bronx, he hopes to reach a broader spectrum of the American public.

Chan portrays a Hong Kong cop who travels to New York City to attend his uncle’s wedding. What was expected to be a nice leisurely vacation quickly turns into a life-or-death struggle with not only a ruthless motorcycle gang but the Mafia as well. He battles them with his usual eclectic weapons: sofas, refrigerators, ladders, skis, bottles, skateboards, and anything else he can get his hands on. As usual, the stunts are phenomenal, capped off by the retina-loosening action finale. The film reunites Chan with director Stanley Tong, with whom he collaborated to make the 1992 hit, Super Cop. Together they have created another masterpiece of head-slammin’, body-flying escapist entertainment. So, Park City, take off your gloves, and let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!

— Trevor Groth

Screening Details

Credits

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