AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS at HOLLYWOOD TEEN MOVIES

The new Around the World in 80 Days does not exactly follow the guidelines of the original 1873 novel by Jules Verne or those of the multi-award-winning 1956 film. In fact, in this version, the principal character focus shifts from the fastidious London gent, Phileas Fogg (here played by Steve Coogan) to his “French” valet, Passepartout who, as played by Jackie Chan, is neither French nor a valet. His real name is Lau Xing and he is on the run from the law after pinching a jade Buddha from the Bank of England. With London bobbies hot on his tail, Lau Xing quickly invents a story about his ancestry to explain his “French” name and to score himself a job as manservant to a very gullible Fogg.

Fogg, as well as having a reputation for fussiness, has also been given a new eccentricity; he is an inventor - and a crackpot one as far as the Royal Academy of Science is concerned, especially its bumptious progress-stifling head, Lord Kelvin (Jim Broadbent). Fogg accepts a bet with Kelvin that he can travel around the world in 80 days. If he wins, he will replace Kelvin as head of the academy. Passepartout sees the trip as his chance to return the Buddha to his village home from where it has been stolen by a band of thugs known as Black Scorpions led by the redoubtable General Fang (Karen Joy Morris). As it turns out, the villainous Kelvin (boo! hiss!) is in cahoots with General Fang and her gang who intend to reclaim the Buddha from Passepartout and slow down Fogg’s progress. Obviously a man not used to losing, Kelvin has also sent a flat-footed detective, Inspector Fix (Ewen Bremner) after Passepartout.

In Paris, the travellers are joined by would-be artist, Monique La Roche - who wants to go along for the ride. Naturally, it’s not a smooth one and the group encounters setbacks across the globe as they travel by land, sea - and even air! Jackie gets several opportunities to do what he does best in a series of martial arts confrontations with the Black Scorpions, the biggest of which takes place when they arrive at Xau Ling’s village. It’s here, too, that he has a falling out with Fogg who is disappointed to discover who his valet really is and his true motives for accompanying him. With just days to go to win the bet, Fogg parts company with his two fellow travellers and goes it alone…

Familiar faces, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Cleese Luke and Owen Wilson (as the Wright brothers), Kathy Bates (as Queen Victoria) and others pop in briefly during the journey to keep things lively.

Around The World In 80 Days (Widescreen Version) [DVD](2004) DVD
Whimsical adaptation of Jules Verne's epic novel stars Jackie Chan as Passepartout, a 19th-century Chinese thief who becomes a fugitive from the law when he "acquires" a priceless jade Buddha statue from the Bank of England. Hoping to evade capture and return the artifact to its rightful owner, he joins the daring, globe-spanning expedition of quirky London inventor Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan). Jim Broadbent and Cecile De France co-star, with cameos by John Cleese, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Sammo Hung, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. 120 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French, Spanish; Subtitles: French; audio commentary; alternate scene; deleted scenes; featurettes; music video.
Around The World In 80 Days [VHS](2004) VHS

Around The World In 80 Days [DVD](1956) DVD
Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Michael Todd's lavish production of the Jules Verne adventure classic stars David Niven as globe-trotting Phileas Fogg, with Cantinflas and Shirley MacLaine as his companions. Dozens of cameos, including Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Ronald Colman, Buster Keaton, and more. 182 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; "making of" documentary; audio commentary; deleted scenes; TV special excerpts; newsreel footage; photo gallery; theatrical trailers; DVD-ROM content; bonus short "A Trip to the Moon" (1902). Two-disc set.
Around The World In 80 Days [DVD](1989) DVD
Pierce Brosnan stars as Phileas Fogg, who wagers he can circumnavigate the globe in 80 days, in this acclaimed mini-series adaptation of the Jules Verne novel. The all-star cast also includes Eric Idle, Julia Nickson, Peter Ustinov, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John. 270 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.