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6 Degrees Entertainment

'Vanguard'
(Jackie Chan, Yang Yang, Lun Ai, Miya Muqi, Ruohan Xu, et al / Blu-ray + Digital / PG-13 / 2021 / Lionsgate Films)

Overview: International superstar and martial arts legend Jackie Chan leaps into action as Tang, CEO of the covert security company Vanguard in this gripping action-thriller.

After wealthy businessman Qin rats out his corrupt partner in an arms deal gone fatally wrong, he and his family become targets of the world’s deadliest mercenary organization — and the fighting power of Tang’s team is their only hope to survive.

Set in locations across the globe — including London, Zambia, India, an Arabian desert, and Dubai — 'Vanguard' delivers electrifying thrills from start to breathtaking finish.

Blu-ray Verdict: In truth, and stick with me here, 'Vanguard' is probably one of the corniest action flicks I've seen this year, BUT it has enough non stop action, to pull it off!

From start to end there's lot of martial arts and weapons play to keep the viewer happy. Jackie Chan's trade mark is everywhere to be seen with a large doses of the kind of semi-comical, choreographed fight scenes, that made him famous.

On top of this is are large dollops of sugary, overly sentimental family and very tame romance scenes. I know from my time in China audiences there love this stuff.

That said, it doesn't travel well and many Western viewers, like myself, will see it as downright corny.

I mean, the characters are so thin that they are almost inexistent. The plot is so weak that it can barely be called that way. The actresses and actors look great but don't showcase any talent beyond some stunts and stylish looks.

The fact that Chinese security guards in this film can freely roam the entire world, intervene anyplace without any restrictions and shoot up dozens of foreigners to save a greedy businessman who backstabbed his own dangerous partner should tell you everything you need about the questionable self-perception of the filmmakers!

BUT if you can look past this, and I truly think (and hope) you should, there's enough excitement, fun and pure entertainment on offer here, to keep the majority of action fans more than satisfied.

In conclusion, 'Vanguard' gives a welcome occasion to switch your brain off and have some fun for almost two hours. In times like these, one should be thankful for this, trust me.

Oh, and there's outtakes on the end credits, as per usual, which also features a song sung by Jackie Chan, and one of the outtakes has Jackie Chan in the drink as his jet ski capsizes!

What we learned from Bela Lugosi in 'Bride of the Monster' and Boris Karloff in 'The Terror,' is don't get the old guys wet. The water is cold and they never recover! This is a Widescreen Presentation (2.39:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Feature of The Making Of Vanguard.

Jackie Chan is back in action when 'Vanguard' arrives on Digital March 2nd, and on DVD and Blu-ray™ (plus Digital) March 9th from Lionsgate.

'Vanguard' Trailer

Amazon Purchase Link

www.LGF.com





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