If you don’t value your time, have money to throw away, and are literally looking for a way to lose your last remaining brain cells then by all means step right up and see The Medallion. Otherwise, keep your position in the world of the sane, and stay clear of this wreck of a production.
The Medallion is an insult to the intelligence of all moviegoers, and is taking one more attempt at trying to duplicate the effects popularized by The Matrix. Jackie Chan is Eddie Yang, a Hong Kong cop trying to stop the villain, Snakehead, (I know stop laughing), played by Julian Sands. The opening scene has him working hand in hand with British Interpol agents led by everyone’s favorite pizza delivering, fake handicap man from There’s Something About Mary, Lee Evans, who manages to find any way possible to mess up or look stupid, while trying to maintain that he is the one in charge.
Through his attempts at trying to catch Snakehead, Eddie is soon finds himself trying to save a young boy labeled as the chosen one The boy has been given the responsibility of protecting The Medallion, which is made up of two pieces. In one attempt to save the young boy’s life Eddie dies, but through the powers of the medallion he is brought back to life and with life comes supernatural powers. Yawn…does this sound like this scenario has been done before?
Needless to say, the bad guy, remember Snakehead? well, he wants to get both the pieces of the medallion to achieve immortality, and so we must fight, run, and jump for our lives, anything to make sure that does not happen.
No amount of comedy, action, or alcohol could make this movie any better. The only bright side was the British beauty Claire Forlani, who plays Nicole James, another Interpol agent. You may remember her from Meet Joe Black or The Rock. She brings beauty into play, but the idea of her being in love with Jackie Chan soon ends it.
This movie may just prove that Chan needs a big co-star with him (where was Tucker and Wilson) in order to make his films work. You wanna see Chan? Check out Rush Hour or Shanghai Knights, they are at least bearable.
