Introduction

The Tuxedo (2002) is a high-concept action-comedy starring martial arts legend Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt, directed by Kevin Donovan. The film blends spy tropes, sci-fi gadgetry, and Chan’s signature physical comedy into a lightweight, absurd, but occasionally entertaining romp. While it lacks the polished stunt work of Chan’s Hong Kong classics or the cleverness of his better Hollywood outings (Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon), The Tuxedo delivers just enough goofy charm to make it a guilty pleasure for fans of early-2000s action comedies.

Plot Overview

Chan plays Jimmy Tong, a meek but skilled taxi driver who lands a job as the chauffeur for suave secret agent Clark Devlin (Jason Isaacs). When Devlin is injured in an explosion, Jimmy stumbles upon his boss’s most prized possession: a high-tech tuxedo that grants its wearer superhuman abilities. With the help of rookie agent Del Blaine (Hewitt), Jimmy must step into Devlin’s shoes—literally—to stop a villainous water magnate (Richter, played by Ritchie Coster) from unleashing a deadly bioweapon.

Strengths

1. Jackie Chan’s Physical Comedy

Even in a mediocre script, Chan’s athleticism and comedic timing shine. The tuxedo’s “auto-fight” mode leads to amusing sequences where Jimmy flails uncontrollably while beating up bad guys. A standout scene involves him breakdancing mid-combat, a clear callback to Chan’s classic Drunken Master films.

2. Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Energy

Hewitt commits fully to her role as an overeager, by-the-book agent, playing well against Chan’s reluctant hero. Their odd-couple dynamic isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s fun.

3. Absurd Gadgets

The tuxedo’s abilities—from instant martial arts mastery to transforming into a scuba suit—are ridiculous but fit the film’s cartoonish tone.

Weaknesses

1. Weak Villain & Plot

Richter is a forgettable bad guy with a convoluted plan (poisoning the world’s water supply?). The story feels like a discarded Men in Black draft.

2. Overuse of CGI

Chan’s stunts are diluted by obvious CGI, a far cry from his practical Hong Kong work. A CGI-heavy bug attack in the climax hasn’t aged well.

3. Tonally Uneven

The film can’t decide if it wants to be a spy parody, a sci-fi adventure, or a slapstick comedy, leading to jarring shifts.

Comparison to Other Chan Films

• Worse than: Rush Hour, Police Story, Shanghai Noon

• Better than: The Medallion, Around the World in 80 Days

Verdict

The Tuxedo is a silly, flawed, but occasionally fun B-movie that coasts on Chan’s charisma. Not essential, but harmless nostalgia for 2000s action-comedy fans.

Rating: 5.5/10 – “Mildly entertaining, instantly forgettable.