RIDE ON

Owner, 2023, 126 minutes, Colour.

Jackie Chan.

Directed by Larry Yang.

High entertainment for Jackie Chan fans. If this had been his last film, it would have been a popular summing up of his life and career. However, it is far from his last, and, while this was made when Jackie Chan was in his late 60s, he is still continuing into his 70s.

Here Jackie Chan plays an ageing stunt double and stuntman, with a particular skill in acting and writing with his horse, Red. But, the requests are not coming in. He has some good connections with producers and actors in the past and he is offered some opportunities. With some he is successful. But, at the end, he fails in a spectacular stunt. So, some sad aspects of ageing and losing one’s skills and powers.

However, the filmmakers continue to delight the audience by inserting quite a range of clips from Jackie Chan films and some spectacular fights, stunts, enjoyable memories – and that throughout the film.

Jackie Chan is a strong screen presence, always has been. He can deal with the action, no problem. And, in most of his films, he is genial, sympathetic, as he is here.

However, there is a strong back story, concerning the horse, concerning his daughter.

Flashbacks show the difficult birth of the foal, Jackie Chan caring for it, the immediate bonding, a kind of psychic and spiritual bonding which continues throughout their life together, Red are being all of his master’s commands, sensing what should be done, even at times going down on his knees and bowing to him. Those who enjoy movies with horses will enjoy this aspect, so strong throughout.

But, the stuntman has neglected his family, especially his daughter who resents him, comes to challenge him. However, they do begin to bond and she is very supportive of him and his horse.

The other aspect of the film focuses on money, some complications from a company and its executives who send legal representatives to take back Red, quoting all kinds of legal and financial documentation. The stuntman asks help from his daughter. She asks help from her boyfriend, rather timid even when the stuntman tries to teach him some martial arts moves. They are rather amateur and they have difficulty in helping the stuntman to keep his horse.

The film seems to be ending when the big stunt fails and Red is reclaimed.

But the film does go on, sad with the sacrifice the stuntman makes as read is taken from him, the farewell, the horse chasing the vehicle, not wanting the master to leave, going into decline and pining.

Common sense, practicality and sentiment all take over at the end – and, as we would wish, happy reconciliation all round.

A pleasing and entertaining testimony to the film genius, presence and stunt work of Jackie Chan.