Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 days

"You have 7 wives?"

"One for each day of the week."

Here we have the latest adaptation of the classic Jules Verne novel. There should be little doubt that we have an idea what is involved in this story. Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan) claims at his local gentlemen's club that a man is able to travel around the world in 80 days. With the disbelief of his fellow members, a wager is made where Fogg himself will accomplish the presumed impossible task. He sets off on his journey with a Chinese companion, Passepartout (Jackie Chan), whom defends Fogg from the numerous dangers of the world. However, Phileas Fogg does not know that his companion had recently robbed a British bank and that a detective is on their tail.

The major problem with translating this book onto the big screen is that you have to effectively fit 80 days worth of story into two hours of film. Previous interpretations of the book have tended to be faithful, but too long to be a family film in the cinema. Disney decided to aim at making a shorter version suitable for showing in the cinema. This of course leads to this cut down version. The trick is to treat this film for what it is intended to be: a fun family film, rather than a faithful translation.

This is also the last film with Arnold Schwarzenegger before he became Governor of California. This is a chance for all you fans to see your star actor, with a twist that is. He plays the cameo part of Prince Hapi and wears a wig for the part. Simply a must-see considering the reputation of the actor.

Certainly worth a trip if you are looking for some good old light comedy.