One of the wonderful possibilities in remaking a film is the potential to tell the story in a relevant, meaningful and new way. This approach has been successful with a dozen movies or more over the years, but unfortunately when Frank Coraci wrote and directed this film, he seems to have forgotten about the purpose and reason for science fiction and Verne’s story. The original Around the World in 80 Days had a great deal to say about the need for people to get along, as well as the ability to overcome challenges and develop friendships with various cultures and various peoples. While this film does touch on these themes, it also gets caught up in presenting Jackie Chan in as many action sequences as possible. Although I personally love to watch Jackie Chan, and enjoy the action genre even at its most basic level, this effort by Coraci takes away from the story. Don’t get me wrong, there are some great action sequences in the movie, which could be expected from Chan and others. But the story lacks, and the only redeeming features are some of the special effects, the fight sequences, and a meager attempt to address themes about friendship.

While lacking, the concept of addressing friendships is appreciated and done nicely. In the Passepartout/Lau Xing character, played by Jackie Chan, we see someone who legitimately cares about the faith of his people and the god they worship. We also see someone who is willing to make a sacrifice and to honor his word to be there and support his friend, Phileas Fogg, played by Steve Coogan. Along the way, these two pick up another compatriot, Monique La Roche, played by Cecile De France, who becomes the love interest of Phileas Fogg.

There are lessons here that all people of faith can learn from. The importance of being true to your word and doing what you say you will do is honored in many cultures. There is something that is appreciated about a person who is there for you when no one else is, but this kind of loyalty seems rare in people of every religion. Even Jesus Christ was disappointed during his last hours, when He wanted the companionship of his closest friends the most. Fortunately for them and for others, He gives us all the chance to redeem and change our actions and attitudes.

In many ways, Around the World in 80 Days could have concluded the story line after Passepartout/Lau Xing complete their reason for taking the journey with Phileas Fogg. However, the story goes on to show that following his faith goes beyond the worshiping of his god. It shows that the love for a god should carry over into loving the people that the god loves. A concept understood within many religions of the world, it should especially be a reminder to the Christians of our planet, who are called to truly care about the people their God has already loved. It is, after all, their God who gave the ultimate gift of love and who commanded his followers to love Him and at the same time love others. He even went so far as to say that, of all of the commandments, there were none that were of greater importance. Jackie Chan seems to have the knack for playing enjoyable characters, and his portrayal of this attribute -- of following through with convictions and loving others -- is in many ways one of the things that makes this movie worthwhile.

Along the way we see the determination of one man and two friends in their determination to accomplish dreams and overcome obstacles. Along the way they develop a real and lasting friendship that is frankly quite enjoyable to watch, especially since we haven’t seen this type of loyalty in a movie in quite some time. Unfortunately though, there was just something about the story that was a major let down. The sequences jump too rapidly, and we as the viewers, never get quite caught up in the story the way we would like to.

Looking back on the experience, I think I was longing for the story line to develop more relationships between characters. I believe that is something that many filmmakers have forgotten about. We enjoy action, martial arts, and all of the things that keep our eyes going back and forth and our hearts pounding, but I found myself also wishing that we as movie patrons, could also enjoy a good story, involving characters that want to like and care for. One reason this movie was a disappointment was that we had hopes of getting those but then the product doesn’t deliver.

Our society lives in a state where everything seems to be about “me,” and little about “others,” “friends,” or “family.” That is why I found myself rooting for ol’ Phileas and his entourage. Some of this was part of the concept and social commentary that Jules Verne originally wrote into the story, and they are things that would have been appreciated more if done in 2004 in the same way they were done in 1956. Unfortunately, they were not done as well or as fully, and we as paying patrons come away with less, rather than more, because of it.

In part, it is for the above-mentioned reasons that I would recommend that -- before you take your family to see this movie -- go out, spend a few bucks, and buy the special edition of the original on DVD. You will get the movie complete with commentary by Orson Wells and special outtakes and features that explore in part what I have spoken about here. It is sad to say this, but I cannot recommend this film over the original -- unless of course, all you want to see is Jackie Chan in some more unbelievable fight sequences and stunts. One word of caution though, even for Jackie Chan fans: don’t expect the wonderful outtakes that usually follow a Jackie Chan movie. They are just not there, and neither are there the closing credit fun bits that sometimes conclude a Jackie Chan film. Once the credits start, there is nothing left except disappointment, and disappointment is definitely what I was left with in this new release of Around the World in 80 Days.

On a scale of 1-10, for the number of enjoyable moments in the movie that involved cameos by other actors minus the Arnold’s arm and Jackie’s outtakes, I give a disappointing 5.