Ride On is a sweetly tender Chinese action-comedy drama. Directed by Larry Yang and starring Jackie Chan, the movie is released in April 2023, bringing together all the flavors that are so integral to these three ingredients-family, action, and fun-in one touching narrative which relies on love, relationships, and hardiness. This blog provides an all-covering review of the film, storyline, review, cast, order to view if there is an episode, and how to catch it.
Overview of Ride On
This film is about the life of Luo Zhilong, played by Jackie Chan. Luo Zhilong is a down-on-his-luck stuntman just barely getting along and caring for his precious horse, Red Hare. As Luo's economic situation gets worse and worse, with him being on the verge of losing Red Hare, he seeks help from his estranged daughter and her boyfriend. In the midst of drama-packed courtroom scenes, flashback sequences with nostalgic overtones, and action scenes, Ride On explores themes ranging from reconciliation between families, humans and animals bond, to selfless sacrifices made for love and passion.
Director: Larry Yang
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama
Released: April 7, 2023
Duration: 2h 6m
Language: Chinese with multiple language subtitling
Cast and characters
Jack Chan as Luo Zhilong
It is a very subtle performance by Jack Chan as he portrays Luo Zhilong. The film depicts him as an old stunt performer who clings to his long-lost past glory because the realities of life are too harsh for him to bear.
Liu Haocun as Bao
A barrister and the estranged daughter of Luo, Bao. She is not too courteous towards her father. This whole film's thread traces her development as a personality.
Guo Qilin as Nai Hua
Nai Hua is Bao's loving boyfriend. His innocence relents the situation and sometimes it also comically alleviates that matter. A direct connecting link between Luo and Bao.
Red Hare (the horse)
Luo's steed, the Red Hare, serves more than that: for a symbol of loyalty in stuntman's dying breath. This bond between Luo and Red Hare becomes an emotional center in cinema.
Supporting cast includes many other names such as Wu Jing, Yu Ailei, and many other fillers to make vibrant worlds.
Storyline
Luo Zhilong is the son of two movie stuntmen who lead normal lives with their horse, Red Hare, as his pet. Luo Zhilong used to be a star stuntman in China's film industry, but modern filmmaking has pushed his world to the periphery, making it hard to keep up the career.
Luo's financial problem worsens as debt collectors threaten to take away his Red Hare. Luo tries everything in his power to save his favorite companion. He even goes to his estranged daughter Bao, who is a lawyer. Their reunion is bitter as Bao feels resentful of her father who abandoned their family for his career. With her is Nai Hua, her boyfriend, who sympathizes with Luo's plight.
It takes the audience through various flashbacks of his success, failed attempts to adapt the shift that the film industry had received during his days of glory as well as numerous sacrifices made for his family role in Luo's fight to defend Red Hare. Comedies of all action sequences accompanied by warm touch scenes of reparation best describe a Jackie Chan's movie.
Whereas, the climax is based on an argument over who gets to take Red Hare, that culminates into a tearjerking ending focusing themes on the family, forgiveness, and the appreciation of life to its simple things.
Review
Ride On has gotten mixed views to positive ones. As many critics and viewers valued Jackie Chan for his scintillating performance coupled with the emotional heart beating of the film.
1. Jackie Chan
Of course, Jackie Chan is fantastic as the aging stuntman who has a lot of humor, vulnerability, and action. In fact, the chemistry that he shares with Red Hare is poignant and unique in the manner in which it depicts a special human-animal bond.
2. Stunts
Chan, being true to his legacy, has numerous action-filled stunts both nostalgic and refreshing. Choreography remains earthy fittingly as it relates with themes.
3. Emotional Depth
This film contains lots of meaning in terms of relationship and sacrifice with a family, so it's more than just an action-comedy.
4. Cinematography and Direction
The film brings raw emotions by the characters of his stunt world beautifully into the cinematronic sight with Larry Yang.
Weaknesses:
1. Drags sometime in the middle, is way over sentimental, and stretched some scenes.
2. Predictable; the story is almost too predictable with little in the way of surprises for the plot.
Ride On scores high with its emotional appeal and evergreen charm of Jackie Chan, making it a definite watch for all the fanatics of action dramas mixed with a heartwarming twist.
Order to Watch
Ride On is a film independent, hence one would not sit through a series of other films to see it and appreciate it. Assuming one is a Jacky Chan fan, one or two from his films such as the Police Story or even Drunken Master would put any person in the right mood.
How to watch
Platform:
Blu-ray/DVD:
Get a copy of the movie in the online stores, or from the local stores
Theatrical Release:
The movie can still be watched in the local theaters depending on the region.
Language Options:
The movie is in Mandarin; however it has subtitles in English, Spanish, and more, so international viewers could watch it.
Tips to Enjoy the Movie:
1. Prepare for a Nostalgic Ride
If you’re a longtime Jackie Chan fan, expect moments that pay homage to his illustrious career.
2. Watch with Family
The movie’s themes of reconciliation and love make it a perfect family watch.
3. Appreciate the Real Stunts
Unlike CGI-heavy action films, Ride On showcases authentic stunts, highlighting the grit and skill of real-life stunt performers.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Jackie Chan’s Real-Life Connection
Chan has often spoken about his life as a stuntman and problems with aging in the business. This movie is an honest tribute to his life and unheralded heroes of cinema.
The Red Hare Horse
This horse was extremely trained for this movie and one would notice that it bonded very well with Chan during shooting.
This is an offering to the world of a stuntman, sacrifice and sacrifice toward the magic in cinema.
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