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Hongkong gymnasium equipment demonstrator-salesman Buck (Jacky Chan) goes to Seoul, Korea to
see old and dying Mr. Park, who could turn out to be his father. He is accompanied by Many Liu (Eric Tsang), a private investigator who found Buck. Millionaire Mr. Park
accepts him without question. He tells him however, that in order to gain access to part of his inheritance he has to play a game. He should look for the clues as he goes
along. The condition begins with what he has to do upon his "father's" death. The game takes him to Istanbul, where he finds the money. Buck, however, is puzzled by men
doggedly following him, not only up to the point where they try to grab (unsuccessfully) his inheritance but even after. They are looking for something he knows nothing about.
Liu, who turns up in Istanbul, reveals that as Buck finds his money, they expected him to also discover something vital but dangerous to mankind. Park, was able to smuggle
this virus out when he defected from his country. This is where Liu also reveals the whole matter about his "father" and the inheritance which has been just a ruse to get him
to retrieve the canister of virus. The vial was not with the money. Where it is hidden, Buck has to work this out and get to it before the "other" people would grab it.
Jacky Chan has established the bases for his popularity: outrageous comedy and exciting but
"dangerous" stunts. Actually the plot is the vehicle used to string together the series of comics scenes and stunts. There is no doubt that he is good at planning them and
they are technically well carried out. At the same time he shows interest in and enjoys doing them. The problem is that he has to be continually innovative and to intensify
the fun and danger for the entertainment of his audience. How far can he go on doing this? Thus, the plot and story suffer because of the time given to the comic and
derring-do scenes. Even the characters, other than Buck and Liu, are not clearly established.
The extraordinary stunts – not stimulated, nor done by stuntmen – really look dangerous.
The damage to property (may be prepared sets or property/appliances obtained for movie purposes) is in the millions. Think of it! That is why The Accidental Spy
cost a total of over $100 million to produce. The amount includes items like expenses for the cast, the travels and special movie equipment. In terms of moral issues, aside from material and ecological destruction, one that hogs the screen is the extent of violence perpetrated, in terms of the many lives lost. Even the character Buck remarks on this: why must so many lives be lost?
(Date reviewed: June 22, 2001)
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