Paul Magne Haakonsen This 1989 Jackie Chan movie differs from most of his usual movie in terms of being less action-filled and having less slapstick comedy in it. This is one of the more 'serious' of movies in his career, although he did manage to put in some comedy elements here and there.Jackie Chan directed "Miracles" (aka "Qi ji") himself and also starred in it alongside with Anita Mui. The two do have good on-screen chemistry together and do compliment one another well throughout the course of the movie. However, Bill Tung (playing Tung) and Richard Ng (playing Captain Ho) were also really good throughout the movie and added a lot of charm and humor to the movie. I didn't even realize that Biao Yuen had a cameo in the movie until after I checked the full cast list on IMDb, nor did I see Simon Yam as a police man either.There is, of course, martial arts, stunts and action throughout this movie, as it is a Jackie Chan movie after all. But it is not as prominent a key element to the movie as seen in most of his prior and later work. And with this being a Jackie Chan movie, the action, martial arts and stunts you get is of course excellent and so well choreographed and equally well executed.The story in "Miracles" is about a newcomer to Hong Kong in the 1930's who is hustled out of his last remaining money. He reluctantly becomes a mafia boss and finds himself trying to do good in a world run by criminals and hoodlums.I will say that the story was good, although the movie felt a bit too long running at two hours and nineteen minutes. It could have used some trimming down here and there. But all in all, it was enjoyable and a good wholehearted Jackie Chan movie.The cast in "Miracles" was quite good, with a handful of some very familiar faces (as listed earlier above), especially if you are familiar with the Hong Kong cinema. The cast ensemble did perform well in their given roles and characters.I think that with this 1989 movie then Jackie Chan also established himself as being capable of branching out to other genres than his all too familiar martial arts action comedies. And that was a good achievement.All in all, "Miracles" is an enjoyable movie to watch for fans of Jackie Chan and newcomers alike. And for us who are a fan of the traditional Jackie Chan movies then "Miracles" was a much welcomed breath of fresh air and a foray into new territory for the beloved action star.

Don Bendell "Most Hong Kong film fans know how influenced Jackie Chan is by films from Hollywood's "golden age." Some elements from these movies have crept into many of Chan's own, such as Project A and its' sequel. This movie, however, is not just inspired by those films from years gone by, and perhaps that is why it tends to divide Jackie Chan fans so much.The movie's plot (most of which is derived from a Frank Capra film called Lady for a Day, which was remade in the 1960's as Pocket Full of Miracles) centers around Chan, who plays a immigrant coming to Hong Kong. He meets up with a kindly old flower seller and decides to buy one -- and just narrowly misses being hit by a car. The car is full of gangsters and Chan helps fight off a rival gang. The gang's leader mistakenly makes Chan his successor and the story is off and running. Chan tries to make the gang go legit by opening a club and things seem to be going well, until Chan learns that the flower seller (whose wares have seemed to always bring him good luck) is facing a crisis. Chan enlists the aid of his gangster buddies to hatch a plan to save the day.I will admit this movie has its' share of faults -- a somewhat overlong running time, hammy acting, a cheesy music score, a script too convoluted for its own good, a few too many characters in the mix, and a sugary-sweet ending. However, I found quite a number of good things in the film as well. The movie, for the most part, is fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously and that feeling rubs off on its audience. There's also a nice bit of outright comedy, mostly coming from Richard Ng as a bumbling policeman. Anita Mui delivers a wonderful, almost Bubsy Berkely-esquire song-and-dance number. The action (even though there is not as much of it as in most other Chan movies) is done quite well. Some of the cinematography is quite good for a Jackie Chan movie; supposedly a crane shot of Anita Mui entering a hotel room cost more to shoot than many of Chan's early films. Lastly, it was nice to see such a wide range of stars in the film -- everyone from old-school stars like Mars to more contemporary people like Yuen Biao and Amy Yip.This isn't the usual Jackie Chan fare, but if you're willing to try something a little different, give this film a chance. Despite the bad word of mouth this movie has gotten, you may just be pleasantly surprised.(As a side note, this is Jackie Chan's favorite film of his.)"

JoeyHal This movie is funny and has excellent fight scenes which are very well done! But there isn't a great deal of action here. there is about four or five and needs a bit more to keep it entertaining but i'm not complaining about the few but great fights! just that it is a little long and could of been cut down a bit. there is good humour as well as the little but excellent fights and all in all i give it a 9. the only thing that lets it down is that it is a little too long and there isn't a great deal fights. the few fights are some of Jackies best work though! I would actually recommend this to any Jackie fan but warn that it is a little too long! still very good! Get it on video or DVD if its' cheap (just in case it is too long and you don't like it for that) or watch it if it appears on telly and see what you think. Chan fans will like it. it would be a great example of Jackies' brilliant Martial arts and humour. it is very styled and like i said contains Jackies' action and humour. but any way, it is one of those things that people will love if it is there type of thing! if it isn't, you will hate it!

abentenjo Based on Capra's Pocketful of Miracles (itself of remake of his earlier Lady For A Day) and lifting from nearly all Hollywood gangster movies, Chan's under-achiever is a glamorous big-budget period piece, with precise attention to detail in both its intricate and amazing fight sequences (though sparse they are) and its over-played narrative. The story is pure sentiment: dressing up a poor rose seller to entertain her travelling daughter set to be married. Chan plays the paying host, a wet-behind-the-ears type who inadvertently becomes a mob leader after he assists a dying gangster boss. Miracles has its moments; an all-star cast of regulars and cameos, some of Chan's best direction and choreography, built on rich sets and locations and with a developed and sincere sense of humour - a story-driven affair that leaves many hardened Chan fans divided. Jackie, on the other hand, quotes this as one of the best of his own movies.