The Accidental Spy (2001)
Reviewed by: bkasten on 2003-03-11
Summary: Almost great
I finally got around to Accidental Spy the other night, and I really think that this may be the closest J.C. has gotten to making a solid, serious movie since Crime Story.

It's rare to see J.C. playing a truly believeable dramatic role. And while J.C. is a good actor, he is pretty much the definition of a typecast actor, and you just cannot help but think the seriousness is only temporary and phony. I can never suspend my disbelief when he is serious. BUT in this movie, somewhat like Crime Story, Heart of the Dragon, Island of Fire, and to a lesser extent his Lo Wei movies, he is really serious and not being the typical innocent comical clown. In this movie he reaches a new and different level. And unlike those previouis movies, I actually saw a side of J.C.'s acting and seriousness I have never seen--especially in a few heavy emotional scenes. It's really quite refreshing to see, and gives us a glimpse of what the future may hold for J.C. and the roles he will play.

Unfortunately, this movie falls a bit short: the story lacks continuity and fluidity; some of the acting is truly hammy (especially the terrible English speaking actors); and the end degenerates into a bit too much silliness. Silliness usually spoils a movie that portends any level of seriousness. Unfortunately it's somewhat the same thing that happened with Who Am I and First Strike.

There is a lot to like in this movie. I think of it as a unique and flawed gem in J.C.'s work. DM2 it is not. But with real English speaking actors, a little better editing, and removal of the silliness in some of the action scenes, this would stand as his best serious movie. I also feel it is by far his best serious performance. As a serious movie, it is is as close as he has gotten to being truly great.
Reviewer Score: 7