Directed by and starring Jackie Chan, and set in 1930s Hong Kong,
Miracles is a gangster film that is equal parts comedy and action film, with a touch of melodrama thrown in for good measure. Chan stars as a young man who rescues a dying crime boss in 1930s Hong Kong. When the boss passes away, he is tapped to become the new leader. He attributes his good luck to an old rose seller and the roses he buys off of her. To pay her back for all of his good fortune, he helps her pretend to be a wealthy socialite, just as she had described herself in letters to her daughter in order to help impress her daughter's wealthy fiancé and not queer their upcoming marriage. The plot is lifted from Frank Capra's
Lady for a Day (1933), which Capra remade in 1961 as
Pocketful of Miracles. Of course, like all Jackie Chan films, this movie contains more--and more innovative--fight scenes than Capra could ever dream of. Two set pieces in particular are stunning: A big fight in a restaurant and the final battle in the warehouse of a rope factory. Along the way, Chan throws in a musical number inspired by Busby Berkeley and a whole lotta heart, making this a well-rounded and entertaining film, which Chan himself has allegedly referred to as his favorite.
--Andy Spletzer
1 Chan's best work as a director!
The movie, which I won't bother summarizing since it's been done in other reviews, is a feel-good-story sprinkled with some awesome action. If you're just out for an action fix, you may want to pick up another Chan movie instead. Although the fight scenes have quality work in choreography, execution, and creativity (beautiful fight in a rope-factory), it focuses on plot and dialogue for good chunks of time. If you don't mind a balanced movie between plot and action, you might want to jump on this one.
Jackie Chan did a nice job in both directing and starring the movie. He played the naive poorboy with a heart of gold perfectly. The comedy in the movie didn't evoke the laughter Chan movie's usually get out of me, but it's still abit humorous nevertheless. It's a shame Anita Mui didn't get much development throughout the movie. Her love-relationship with Jackie in the movie seems strained, out of place, and unnecessary. I guess since there were so many things going on in the plot at once, their relationship was underdeveloped and took a back seat.
Chan's directing throughout the movie is, in my opinion, his best effort as a director yet. He did a great job organizing the hectic mess of plotlines that consistently intervened and conflicted with each other, while ultimately leading it up to a climatic finish with the different plots being intertwined and combined.
Note: I only viewed the movie through Cantonese dubbing w/English subtitles. English dubbing WAS included in this version, but I just prefer to view movies in their original, intended format.
2 Rereleased Miracle!
Just so everyone knows, there are two versions of this DVD, both released by Columbia Tristar. The first DVD was released in 2000 and did NOT include english dubbing. I saw the first release and not only did it not include english dubbing, but it also had terrible picture quality. I'm guessing that Columbia Tristar realized that it was a botched job and rereleased it again but this time it included an english dubbed version.
In any case, this movie was really great(an excellent blend of the gangster era and kung fu) and I'm glad that Columbia Tristar rereleased this version because the other release was a huge disappointment for me.
3 The Miracle is how great this film is.
Does anyone here know how to read? It clearly states that this version contains BOTH the subtitled and the dubbed version. If you don't want to read the subtitles, it contained a dubbed english version. How hard is it to realize this? Before you complain, why don't you read the back of the box.
4 Options!! (It is a Miracle!)
I see a bunch of people have made comments
like "Good if you like subtitles" - this
is annoying and stupid, since the disc contains BOTH
the original version (fir those who 'really'
appreciate hong kong cinema), and the a dubbed
"Chan-for-dummies" version, obviously for those who
only speak 'American.' Ironically, though
Columbia has done a great service by providing
choices for "everyone's" benefit, I have to read such
trifling comments by those who get weak in the
knees when they see a subtitle - even if the dub
is right in front of them.
5 Chan's the man!
I have only seen parts of this, but plan on getting it very soon. Found it intesting that it contains Subbed and Dubbed versions. Subbed is 126 minutes and dubbed is 106, what gives?
Anyway I'll be watching the SUBBED version.
6 good but subtitled
i didnt know the movie was not going to be englished dubbed. But i am kinda used to reading the subtitles now...so it is not that bad. Other than the fact it is in chinese it is not that bad
7 Good if you dont mind the Subtitles
Alright. This is without a doubt one of chans better movies i will admit. And i am a huge fan of his. However i did not realize that this dvd was in chinese with subtitles. However i am used to watching foregin movies so it didnt bother me that bad. Other than the fact that is is not english....the dvd is great. Not bad restoration to me. I just wished they would have the option of having the english dubbed on there
8 One of his best-by any name
After deciding for some reason that 'Miracles' was an unworkable title for the DVD rerelease of this film, they dubbed it 'Black Dragon' and shipped it out. This is a remake of Capra's 'pocket full of miracles' with a greatly enhanced action quotient.
This is the best of both worlds in that it has the elaborate costumes, subtle comedic twists and period piece feel that Chan loves to do, while still giving fans the fantastic action scenes that they love from him. Indeed the choreography is some of his best-you have to see the rope factory scene to believe it...
Although the ending is a bit overdone, this is one of his best overall films. The cinementography is fantastic.
A fabulous date film....
9 Fantastic, Jackie at his best.
Take a good story, add a slice of comedy, music and action plus a lttle romance and what do you get? A wonderful film called Miracles. This movie is great and with Jackie Chan directing it, well it just cannot fail to be a hit. It is a case of being in the right place at the right time for the charactor Jackie plays in it. Conned out of his last few dollars and destitute all this changes when a lady gives him a rose for luck. He finds himself the leader of one of the top mobs and goes from rags to riches. The only thing is that this gang leader will not go anywhere without the rose that he believes changed his luck. Thats when this story starts to take off so great when the rose lady needs a lot of help and Jackie and his girlfriend promise to help her out. It becomes very chaotic and is so humourous I just loved it.This movie really shows that Jackie excells at everytging he does,whether it be action, fun and a serious actor.
10 The Original Gangster With A Twist.
This is one of Jackie Chan's funniest pre-Rush Hour films. You get a chance to see him as an actor and not only a martial artist. As usual cast members like Bill Tung, Anita Mui and Richard Ng are thrown in with hysterical results. A must for the Jackie Chan collection.
11 Great film but better off getting the uncut version instead!
I don't know why many foreign films that get into the US market wind up getting cut, especially Jackie Chan ones. I own the original uncut letterboxed subtitled version of this movie put out years back by Taiseng video. It's so much better. At least the DVD is uncut. I hope more people get the DVD version of this movie instead of VHS in this case. You'll be getting a better run for your money.
12 Hilarious!
I rented this one night with my friends and we were laughing so hard! It's a really fun movie... with all the action you come to expect from a Jackie Chan film. Although, Inspector Ho's background music... especailly when he first meets Chan... sets him up for numerous musical numbers which left me waiting hopefully for song and dance routines which never showed up... I loved this movie and highly recomend it!
13 Fantastic!
I have seen a lot of Jackie Movies and I have to say this is one of my favorites. The story is beautiful and the action, although scarce, is absolutely outstanding, especially the fight in the rope factory which, I think, is the best one he has ever done. Jackie also shows off his dexterity, flicking and flipping his hat onto his head in imaginative ways. This film is brilliant. Buy it now!
14 Not as good as everyone thinks
Most people praise this movie as being a triumph for Jackie (he views it as his best directorial work), but there is a reason that Hollywood doesn't make these melodramas anymore. Yes there is a story, but who really cares if Jackie and friends pull of the deceipt? The 1950s type story doesn't work and seems very corny. That being said, the few fight scenes are very good, and the film is beautifully shot. But you are now warned.
15 "Meet the real gangster!"
Miracles is a good comedy with great fighting sequences. Jackie Chan is funny as a "good" gangster and, as always, amazes with his stunts. I particularly liked the fight scene in the restaurant and the chase in the streets. Anita Mui, who plays his lover, is not as funny as in movies like Drunken Master II, but is still adding a nice touch to the comedic aspect of the film.
Unfortunately, the quality for the picture and the sound of the DVD isn't what we're accustomed from Columbia/Tri-Star. A few scratches from time to time destroy a little bit our pleasure. And I can't believe that this edition is offered in mono only. It should at least have been in dolby surround.
A strange thing is that the subtitled version on the disc is 127 mins. long, but the dubbed one on the other side of the disc is 106 mins. long. Personnally, I don't mind since I don't quite like dubbed versions. But why?
Overall, it's a good Jackie Chan movie and a must for Chan's fans.
16 Another Miracle From Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan has done another outstanding job with this movie. I am very happy that he works 40 days on action and 4 days on the speaking instead of the other way around like most American action films. We get Jackie Chan for one reason and one reason only, because of the action and the stunts. This is one of the best action movies that I have seen and one of the best that Jackie Chan has done. I highly recommend getting this DVD. I have the subtitled issue and I am going to get it when it again when it gets dubbed in english. I couldn't wait, I had to have it and it is worth it!
17 I liked it
i just saw this movie and i liked it. it wasnt his greatest, but i still liked it. i didnt really like the angle with the mom and girl but the action made up for it. if u like chan i suggest u rent before purchasing, u may be dissapointed. i give it 3 1/2
18 A not-so-great digital transfer of a great film
"Miracles" is one of Jackie Chan's best overall movies, with funny comedy, great sets and cinematography, and wonderfully acrobatic fight scenes. its not a non-stop action fest, but that's also what makes it more of a "real" movie. Unfortunately, i found Columbia-Tristar's DVD version to have a significantly degraded picture quality. Sometimes the images break up quite a bit, looking like a third generation dub of a vhs tape. Characters in long shots will often look as though they are on the COPS show as criminals with their faces electronically obscured. I wish C/star had gone to the trouble to get ahold of a real print of the film and had then handed it over to a digital transfer expert (in contrast,for example, much care was taken with the new Shanghai Noon DVD, and it has a spectacular look to it). Anyway, this is the only version of the film available in the states, so its still worth buying. ps--if it matters to any of you, there is no English dub track. Just Cantonese and mandarin, with several languages in subtitles.
19 Beautifully Produced
Of all the Jackie Chan movies, this one is truly elegant. It boasts a star-studded cast (Hong Kong stars), expansive and detailed sets, and a cohesive plot. This is a serious work that weaves humor and fighting appropriately through the story.
20 Great movie
Besides Drunken Master II Miracle is Jackie Chan's best and I own about thirty of his movies. Well shot also. More acting than action but the three major fights are packed full of action and stunts.
21 This Movie was a Pleasant Surprise
This movie establishes Jackie as a very good director, actor, and action star. Though it is light on the action, the movie includes some breathtaking fight scenes and stunts that are well worth waiting for. The story is very intriguing and is similar to the plot of "A Pocket Full of Miracles." This movie literally has it all.
22 Stunning.
Stunning in every department, Miracles cements Chan's reputation as one of cinema's greatest stars. His direction is superb and it is coupled with a number of fine performances. A must see.
23 Beautifully filmed change of pace
This is sort of the Jackie Chan version of a chick-flick. It doesn't contain as many action scenes as some of his other films, but what action there is, is really thrilling. The chase scene through the crowded streets of Hong Kong had me laughing out loud, and when it culminated in an unbelievable fight in a rope factory, I was once again awed by the inventiveness and daring (lunacy?) of the choreography and stunts. In between the action, however, is a really lovely movie--beautiful sets, gorgeous photography, beautiful ladies (particularly Anita Mui), fabulous costumes--this looks like a Hollywood movie, and considering the difference in Hong Kong and US budgets, that's saying a lot. I have seen over 20 of Jackie Chan's films, and I am amazed at how varied and creative his movies are. This is definitely one of his best.
24 Jackie Chan's best movie!
This is easily JC's best--great story, acting, the fight scenes are amazing---and the cinematography is brilliant!! I wish they'd re-release this in the states, so I could see it on the big screen. It would show how good Jackie really is. Consequently, I believe it's one of Jackie's favorite films too. A MUST SEE!
25 This is Jackie Chan's most complete film.
I saw this film 10 years ago in the local Chinatown theatre and it still holds up on DVD as his most complete film. The film is shot with higher production values than it's Hong Kong counterparts. The comedy elements don't seem really out of place like in his later films and there is actually a story in this one ( borrowed from Frank Capra's "Pocketful of Miracles" ) The action sequences are as clever and inventive as anything he has ever done ( I didn't mind that there weren't as many of them ). The Restaurant sequence and the Rope factory fight are stand-outs. Even though the film was made for a Hong Kong audience, it transcends that and has something for everyone. It's great movie-making.
26 Awesome
Although the plot can get a bit long, you have to watch this for some of the crazy stuff Chan does.The fight in the restarant is definately among the best.
27 Jackie best all around film
This is in my opinion jackies best all around film. Excellent fight choreography, well designed sets and wonderful acting. Anita Mui as his love interest is good choice. She is beautiful as well as a great singer and talented actress.
This film is a mix of the god father movies, buster keaton and an action movie in one. Highly recommended to anyone.
28 The Chinese Godfather, Jackie's Way!
Throughout the the 80's, Jackie Chan was being blacklisted by critics as someone who's only talent was directing lighthearted action films without any substance. Jackie took this criticism personally and created one of the best films of his career, "Miracles." Based on Frank Capra's "Lady For a Day," Jackie took his time and directed a film that can be compared to the best of Hollywood during the Golden Era. Jackie originally didn't want action scenes, but realized none of his fans would see it. There are three brillinat action pieces intertwined with the story, the best is the final at a rope factory. Jackie also used techniques used by Hollywood by using steady cams for extended shots. Anita Mui from "Rumble in the Bronx" has a delightful role as a nightclub and we get to hear her sing (which was her original career.) This movie is a must have for any Jackie Chan fan, or any who appreciates great filmmaking.
29 very good
this is one of jackie chan's favorite movies. don't watch this on regular format. widescreen shows off more of what chan ic capable. this movie is based on frank sonatra's a pocket full of miracles. has 2 very long and very good jackie verses a group kind of fights. a must see
