Posted by Steven Nelson | Published
Enter the world where action meets drama as the 2017 lineup The outsiderfeaturing martial artist, Jackie Chan. In this intense performance, Chan sheds his usually jovial on-screen persona to deliver a performance full of depth, reflecting the father's relentless pursuit of justice.
Directed by Martin Campbell, the man behind the famous James Bond films, The outsider is a thrilling tale from behind the scenes of politics and explosive action sequences. If you're ready for a side of Jackie Chan you've never seen, this film promises to be a fun ride.
Cool Revenge Arc
The outsiderstarring the legendary Jackie Chan, is a thriller that revolves around the character of Ngoc Minh Quan, a humble London-based businessman with a dark past. Quan's world is turned upside down when his teenage daughter, Fan, is killed in a politically motivated terrorist attack. Devastated by his loss, Quan begins a relentless pursuit of justice, vowing to bring those responsible to account.
As Quan digs deeper, he discovers that the bombings are linked to a group of rogue Irish terrorists. He targets Liam Hennessy (played by Pierce Brosnan), a government official with ties to the terrorists, who he believes holds the key to the bombers' identities. Quan's quest for revenge plunges him into a dark world of political intrigue, power struggles, and hidden agendas.
Quan uses his skills, honed during his time as a special forces operative in the Vietnam War, to uncover the truth. He faces many obstacles and challenges as he unravels the complex web of British and Northern Irish politics, all while Hennessy struggles to manage political tensions and maintain his power.
The film's narrative is filled with themes of revenge, redemption, and complex forms of justice. Jackie Chan delivers a sad and compelling performance, portraying a man driven by grief, dealing with loss, and seeking closure, while Pierce Brosnan excels in the role of a conflicted and immoral politician.
A combination of action and hard-hitting drama
The outsider it succeeds because it balances explosive action with a surprisingly emotional story. The film keeps the tension high throughout, mixing political intrigue, revenge, and suspense while giving its lead character more depth than viewers might expect from an action thriller.
Critics gave the film a mixed to positive reception, and it currently holds a 66 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Much of the praise focused on the lead performance, which traded in the usual bits of action comedy for a more restrained and dramatic style. While some reviewers felt that the political agenda occasionally became too heavy-handed, many appreciated the film's willingness to combine heavy action with real emotional weight.
Fans have been more receptive, embracing the combination of tight sets, gripping drama, and a darker, more mature tone than viewers expected. The result is an understated thrill that delivers both as an action film and a story about grief, revenge, and the personal cost of pursuing justice.
For anyone looking for a solid, well-crafted thriller with solid performances and plenty of action, The outsider remains an easy recommendation.
As of this writing, The outsider airs free on Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and The CW.
