gridoon2018
This attempt to update Charlie Chan to the 1980s and give him a comic bent is highly uneven: there is a load of misplaced, unfunny slapstick in it, and some big names in the cast are terribly wasted. I am a fan of Peter Ustinov (who made this in between my two favorite Poirots) and he is delightful here, but he almost seems like a supporting actor in his own movie; too much of the screen time goes to the ineffectual Richard Hatch as his "number one grandson" (Brian Keith is also very annoying as a loudmouthed police chief). The film is more successful when it sticks closer to the spirit of the original Chan films: I am referring to the b&w flashback sequence and the "clue of the fork in the tea cup", as well as the climactic gathering of the suspects for the unmasking of the "Bizarre Killer", who is, indeed, rather well-camouflaged. But as a comedy, it has very few laughs; for a funnier take on a Charlie Chan-type of detective, see "Murder By Death". ** out of 4.
scott_camp
An alternate title for the film could have easily been "Charlie Chan and the Curse of Having to Sit through Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen". If Mel Brooks had been given an opportunity to rewrite the script and direct the movie, then it might have had a chance. Instead, it turned out to be an almost entirely absurd effort with few redeeming qualities.The movie is now a permanent testament to the belief that quality actors, like the cast in this film - Angie Dickinson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Peter Ustivov, Brian Keith, and Roddy McDowell - can't save a bad script, and this script is as bad as they come. Watch at your own risk.
Michael O'Keefe
This is a satire of America's favorite Hawaiian detective, Charlie Chan. You immediately know something is wrong when you notice Peter Ustinov is playing Chan. The famous detective is called out of a deserved retirement to solve a murder in San Francisco and confronts his old enemy the Dragon Queen(Angie Dickinson). Another plot is saving the life of his Jewish-Chinese grandson(Richard Hatch). A pretty good line-up of stars take part in this movie that just is not any good. Among the cast: Lee Grant, Brian Keith, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rachel Roberts and Roddy McDowall. Calling this a witty satire is stretching actuality.
trpdean
I liked the Charlie Chan movies I remember watching on television when I was growing up, I like Peter Ustinov very much and I thought it a very bold stroke to have Angie Dickinson play the "Dragon Queen" (a role made for the likes of a Lucy Liu).That's why I'm irritated by having rented this movie. It's just awful - truly truly awful. You'll sigh, you'll look at your watch, you'll feel as if you're stuck with some adolescent in an elevator trying out his impressions for 17 hours until they free you.Don't rent it - it's just TERRIBLE - and with this cast, that's such a shame.
AD
