Although Jackie Chan is usually billed as the star, he's actually playing a supporting role here. If you don't expect a typical JC flick, but want a darker, more moving film, you could be unexpectedly pleased.
There are four major stars in Prison on Fire, so the main plot keeps getting put aside so each one can have a story line and screen time. Some of the prison sequences owe a lot to 'Cool Hand Luke' and there's even a character called Lucas (at least in the dubbed version).
In spite of being disjointed, the acting and drama carry the film well, especially Samo Hung's moving turn as a man desparate to see his son. There's a real air of danger for the characters, even Jackie Chan, who you never really believe will be killed off in his own films.
The plot threads are more or less pulled together to give a big shoot-out ending to please the audience, but it isn't a happy one. In spite of the flaws, I was far more impressed with this than I expected. Be prepared for something different and you might be moved too.
There are four major stars in Prison on Fire, so the main plot keeps getting put aside so each one can have a story line and screen time. Some of the prison sequences owe a lot to 'Cool Hand Luke' and there's even a character called Lucas (at least in the dubbed version).
In spite of being disjointed, the acting and drama carry the film well, especially Samo Hung's moving turn as a man desparate to see his son. There's a real air of danger for the characters, even Jackie Chan, who you never really believe will be killed off in his own films.
The plot threads are more or less pulled together to give a big shoot-out ending to please the audience, but it isn't a happy one. In spite of the flaws, I was far more impressed with this than I expected. Be prepared for something different and you might be moved too.