Around the World in 80 Days (2004 film)

Around the World in 80 Days is a 2004 American action adventure comedy film based on Jules Verne's 1873 novel of the same name and remake of the movie of the same name of 1956. It stars Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan and Cécile de France. The film is set in the nineteenth century and centers on Phileas Fogg (Coogan), here reimagined as an eccentric inventor, and his efforts to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. During the trip, he is accompanied by his Chinese valet, Passepartout (Chan). For comedic reasons, the film intentionally deviated wildly from the novel and included a number of anachronistic elements. With production costs of about $110 million and estimated marketing costs of $30 million, it earned $24 million at the U.S. box office and $72 million worldwide, making it a box office flop.[1] It was Arnold Schwarzenegger's last film before he took a hiatus from acting to become Governor of California until 2010's The Expendables.

Around the World in 80 Days
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFrank Coraci
Produced byBill Badalato
Hal Lieberman
Screenplay byDavid Titcher
David Benullo
David Goldstein
Based onAround the World in Eighty Days
by Jules Verne
Starring
Music byTrevor Jones
David A. Stewart
CinematographyPhil Meheux
Edited byTom Lewis
Production
company
Walt Disney Pictures
Walden Media
Spanknyce Films
Mostow/Lieberman Productions
Distributed byBuena Vista Pictures
Release date
  • June 13, 2004 (2004-06-13) (Los Angeles, California)
  • April 6, 2004 (2004-16-06) (United States)
Running time
120 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
French
Mandarin Chinese
Hindi
Budget$110 million[1]
Box office$72.2 million[1]

Plot
Film set at Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt in April 2003. The building doubles as a background building outside London's Royal Academy of Science.

Lau Xing robs the Bank of England and hides in Phileas Fogg's house, giving his name as "Passport...too". Fogg hears "Passepartout" and hires him as valet. Passepartout helps Fogg break the 50-mph speed barrier. At the Royal Academy of Science, Fogg is insulted by Baron Kelvin. Fogg bets that he can travel around the world in 80 days. If he wins he will replace Kelvin as Minister of Science, if not he will be ruined. Fogg and Passpartout take a carriage out of London after a confrontation with corrupt Inspector Fix, hired by Kelvin.

Passpartout and Fogg journey to Paris, where Passepartout must evade General Fang's warriors. Fang wants the jade Buddha previously given to Lord Kelvin but stolen by Passepartout. Pretending to take Fogg to see Thomas Edison, Passepartout leads him to impressionist painting student Monique La Roche. Passepartout fights the minions while his boss discusses impressionism. The two men and Monique depart in a hot-air balloon, chased by Fang's warriors.

In Turkey, Prince Hapi orders the men to leave while Monique must become his seventh wife. The men convince Hapi to release Monique for "The Thinker" statue. The three travelers escape.

Kelvin learns about the bank robbery. He orders the British-American colonial authorities in India to arrest both men. Passepartout sees notice of the price on his head and warns his companions. Disguised as women they are attacked by Fang's warriors. Using Inspector Fix and a sextant as weapons, Fogg and Passepartout defeat their assailants and flee to China.

In a Chinese village they are captured by the Black Scorpions. Recognized, Lau Xing challenges the leader of the group to a fight. At first he fights alone and is defeated; moments later he is joined by his fellow "Ten Tigers of Canton" to defeat the Black Scorpions. The jade Buddha is returned to the village temple.

Fogg desires to continue alone, disappointed by his companions. He travels to San Francisco and is tricked out of his money. He is found by Lau Xing and Monique. In the desert they find the Wright brothers who discuss the flying machine. Fogg suggests a few changes.

In New York City, a jubilant crowd prevents them from their ship. A policeman leads them to an ambush in a workshop. The three friends fight Fang and her minions and win. Though Fogg could have gotten to the boat, he misses it to help Lau Xing. Fogg feels he has lost, but the other two say they may still make it if they catch the next ship.

They board an old ship and Fogg builds a plane out of the ship's old wood in exchange for a new ship. The ship's crew builds a catapult to launch it. The three fly to London and crash-land at the Royal Academy. Kelvin sends police to hinder them, and the clock strikes noon, ending the wager.

Kelvin proclaims himself the victor. Monique, Fix and other ministers attest to Kelvin's unfair methods. Kelvin insults Queen Victoria who overhears. Kelvin is arrested. Fogg realizes he is one day early thanks to crossing the International Date Line. He ascends the stairs of the Academy and kisses Monique, victorious in his bet.

Cast

Music

Soundtrack
  • "It's Slinky!" – Written by Homer Fesperman and Charles Weasley
  • "Sehnaz Pesrev
  • "The Mystery Continues" – Composed by Suma Ograda
  • "Everybody, All over the World (Join the Celebration)" – Performed by David A. Stewart and Sylvia Young Stage School
  • "River of Dreams" (Instrumental) – Written by David A. Stewart and Aidan Love
  • "It's a Small World" – Written by the Sherman Brothers, and performed by Baha Men

Release

Around the World in 80 Days premiered at Los Angeles, California on June 13, 2004 and was released in theaters on June 16, 2004 by Walt Disney Pictures. It was also released on DVD and VHS on November 2, 2004 by Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

Critical reception

Around the World in 80 Days was met with mixed reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 32% approval rating, based on 128 reviews, with an average score of 4.79/10, with the site's consensus stating: "Hit-and-miss family fare that bears only the slightest resemblance to Verne's novel."[2] Metacritic gives the film a weighted score of 49 out of 100, based on reviews from 33 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews."[3] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[4]

The Guardian critic Rob Mackie, criticized it for having little to no resemblance to the novel it is based on.[5] Roger Ebert praised it for its visual style and for being "goofy fun".[6] Todd McCarthy of Variety wrote: "Takes plenty of liberties with the material and never generates much genuine excitement, but provides an agreeable ride without overloading it with contemporary filmmaking mannerisms."[7] In 2014, the Los Angeles Times listed the film as one of the most expensive box office flops of all time.[8]

Accolades

The film was nominated for two Razzie Awards - Worst Remake or Sequel and Worst Supporting Actor (Arnold Schwarzenegger).[9]

Award Category Nominee Result
Razzie Award Worst Supporting ActorArnold SchwarzeneggerNominated
Worst Remake or SequelAround the World in 80 DaysNominated
Stinker Award Worst Supporting ActorArnold SchwarzeneggerWon
Most Unwelcome RemakeAround the World in 80 DaysWon

See also

References
  1. "Around the World in 80 Days (2004)". Box Office Mojo. IMDB. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  2. "Around the World in 80 Days". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  3. "Around the World in 80 Days Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  4. "CinemaScore". cinemascore.com.
  5. "Around the World in 80 Days | DVD and video reviews | The Guardian". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  6. Roger Ebert (June 16, 2004). "Around the World in 80 Days". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  7. McCarthy, Todd (16 June 2004). "Around the World in 80 Days". Variety.
  8. "Eller, Claudia,"The costliest box office flops of all time", Los Angeles Times (January 15, 2014)". latimes.com. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  9. "For Immediate Release". Razzies.com. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
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