Jackie Chan's First Strike MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -1/2

"Wow!" describes audience reaction to world-famous martial arts expert Jackie Chan, as he dazzles us with his non-stop stunts. The film's plot is definitely secondary, but it has enough intrigue for viewers who love colorful action. From Hong Kong, Jackie (Chan) is enlisted by the CIA to spy on a beautiful Russian girl as she flies back to the Ukraine. When our reluctant spy reports that the girl has a mysterious oriental lover who rendezvous with her, his orders are extended. The Russian secret service hires him to continue his assignment in Australia, the headquarters of the Chinese Golden Dragon Mafia boss. Jackie gets caught up in an intricate network of spies, double agents, nuclear warhead deals, and a powerful Asian Mafia. Chan performs his own incredible stunts with a humorous style that has been justly compared to Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. While the final credits roll, outtakes of these stunts reveal the many trials and errors required to execute them. With its frantic, funny action, FIRST STRIKE will not strike out with teenagers and young adults.

Jackie endures many harrowing experiences, beginning with a wild snowmobile chase in sub-zero weather in his shirt sleeves that ends with a drop from a helicopter into a frozen lake. He is shot at, threatened by a man-eating shark, kicked, beaten and almost drowned. In addition to Jackie's punches and kicks, the villains also suffer from other forms of violence, including blood-sucking leeches and machine gun massacres. At least these incidents are shown to be painful and life-threatening. Also, Jackie relies only on his martial arts to defend himself. Although there is no sex, a few suggestive incidents occur. In Australia, Jackie is ordered at gunpoint to strip while standing beside his car. Tourists passing by ogle him, and his bare backside is exposed to the camera. He is also shown in some comically decorated jockey shorts. Foul language is non-existent except for one moderately crude word. The smartly choreographed martial arts scenes are in line with the story, but the action is so extensive that it goes beyond the legitimate use of violence in a film.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: New Line Cinema, 575 8th Ave., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10018