Miracles: The Canton Godfather (1989)

'Miracles' (I actually like the Australian version title 'The Canton Godfather' more) is quite different from usual Jackie Chan's action choreography movies. It is more situation comedy in 1930s Hollywood fashion, but in Jackie Chan's sauce. The magnificent action and fight scenes are still in, but this time the film concentrates more on simple storytelling and comedy with lavishing set pieces depicting 1930's Hong Kong. The film is over two hours long, but it doesnt' drag as the pacing between action scenes is nearly perfect. Jackie Chan's comedic timing and use of slapstick is as masterful as his martial arts skills. Might not be Chan's best movie, but it is still very enjoyable. Sweet but not sticky. And every once in a while it is nice to see one of your favorite heroes doing something little different.Plus - Jackie Chan himself considers 'Miracles' his best directorial effort.

Miracles is Jackie Chan's favourite amongst his movies ,and the one in which he invested the most time and care. The result is, technically, a triumph. The convincing sets, lavish costumes and graceful camera work really hold by western film standards, while the fight scenes boast choreography that is just incredible to watch. They are more like musical numbers than martial arts fights, but the level of invention is just staggering, particularly in the scene where Jackie has to make his way down some stairs, fighting heavies as he does so, and the end battle in a rope factory.However, elsewhere the film has problems. It attempts to juggle several plot lines with mixed success. The 'gangster'part, with Jackie as a crime boss, generally works well, but Jackie's relationship with singer Anita Mui almost disappears from the film and the Frank Capra 'A Pocketful Of Miracles'copied story is dwelt on at such length and so slowly that the middle of the film drags terribly, with endless dialogue scenes that could have sometimes been shortened or cut without harm to the film {or course, there is a shorter version of this film, but with some of the wrong bits cut}. At least there are some great laughs, such as gangsters and their 'molls' trying to be respectable rich folk, and the Clouseau-like Richard Ng's police captain. Miracles is certainly not one of Chan's classics like Project A, Police Story or Drunken Master 1 and 2, but there is still a lot to like.

Mr Canton and Lady Rose (or whatever you want to call it) is indeed Jackie's personal favourite out of the looong list of flicks he's featured in. It's definatly the story and the characters that director Chan is interested in, with the action being kind of forced and even out of place when it appears. If Jackie had the choice it's unlikely there would have been any action at all, but Golden Harvest weren't going to let him make a movie without his usual manic action. Therefore, Mr Canton and Lady Rose is somewhat uneven, and as good as the final battle is, it just seemed to be padding out a movie that's already longer then his usual, and had little relation to the actual plot. It's a good plot though, I really found myself caring about what happened to lady rose and her daughter. Mr Ho is given a little too much screen time however, particularly towards the start.Me Canton and Lady Rose is a little self-indulgent, a little uneven, and a little long and slow to get going- But it's definatly a lot of fun, and despite these critisisms, I recommend it to every Jackie Chan fan.

This film is pretty good. It has about 4 to 5 action scenes, but the most amazing scene is at the end of the movie in the rope factory. That action scene just blew me off. The movie has its funny moments but it's mostly just seeing Jackie trying to be like The Godfather sort off which I find kind of cool. This film shows a different side of Jackie for example "The Prisonner" and "Accidental Spy" showed two different role for Jackie that he never done before and that what like. Jackie is really good in his role and the hat he wears looks so good on him. So go rent this film for some action but mostly at the end and some funny parts but don't buy I did but that's because I really like Jackie he i a good fighter.