More in the vein of Chan’s Hollywood buddy movies like Rush Hour or Shanghai Noon than the classic ’80s kung fu comedy genre that he helped originate, Skiptrace finds the still-limber Hong Kong superstar settling into a more sedate format that could remain serviceable for even another decade. In their first collaboration, Chan and Finnish action director Renny Harlin scored an impressive $60 million China debut over the July 22 weekend, the highest-grossing opener for either of them.
Prospects look rather more modest for Saban Films’ U.S. release, although the typically quiet Labor Day weekend could provide opportunity for the movie to build word of mouth over the holiday frame. Overall, the film’s cume should continue to grow significantly as it rolls out internationally into next year.
As the U.S.-China co-production opens, it’s nine years after the death of Hong Kong police inspector Bennie Chan’s ( Chan) partner Yung Bai ( Eric Tsang) at the hands of a Chinese crime syndicate. Chan still blames himself for his best friend’s tragic demise and is still chasing the shadowy underworld figure known as The Matador, whom he blames for the murder. Suspecting that his target is corrupt businessman Victor Wong ( Winston Chao), Chan launches an all-out tactical assault on his drug-smuggling operation, only to fail spectacularly and very publicly. Captain Tang ( Michael Wong) orders Chan to take a month off while things cool down, but Bennie gets called back into action almost immediately by his goddaughter, Yung’s orphaned only child Samantha ( Fan Bingbing).