Battle Creek Brawl Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Battle Creek Brawl Blu-ray Movie Review

Battle Creek Brawl is an energetic and thrilling action film. The feature-film was also released under the alternate title of The Big Brawl. The film was a co-production between Hong Kong and the American Hollywood studio system. Battle Creek Brawl used the majority of the same production team and filmmaking crew as Enter the Dragon. The film was a box-office flop in North America upon its initial release before gaining a cult reputation as an action-film.

Chan attempted to break out in North America again with 1985’s The Protector but it also was met with underwhelming box-office in the United States. Chan was not a common household name in North America until his box-office hit Rumble in the Bronx, released in 1995. Executive produced by Andre Morgan (The Warlords, The White Countess), Battle Creek Brawl impresses with great stunts and action set-pieces and is an under-rated film in Chan’s canon.

Jerry Kwan (Jackie Chan) has the good life. Jerry is enjoying life and things are generally fun and easy-going for him. Jerry even has a gorgeous girlfriend, Nancy (Kristine DeBell). Jerry is a member of a Chinese immigrant family and his father owns a local restaurant. Yet danger strikes when a mob threatens the family and wants some of the profits.

As Jerry takes on the mob in an epic battle, demonstrating moves learned by his uncle Herbert (Mako), a surprising turn of events leads to the mob boss Dominici (José Ferrer) wanting Jerry to participate in an all-out battle known as the Battle Creek Brawl. The mob coerces Jerry in to participating in the epic Texas showdown in the hopes that he will be able to defeat Billy Kiss (who has mastered the “Kiss of Death” move). Can Jerry be the hero and emerge the victor while taking on the mob? Ann all-out Battle Royale ensues!

Chan may have dismissed Battle Creek Brawl as an underwhelming work in his filmography but the film is an underrated one in the star’s filmography. Chan was apparently not that happy with the filming of the film and did not find it an entirely satisfactory experience. Even so, Chan is excellent in the film, providing some great action chops alongside some good comedic moments. An underrated Chan performance.

The art direction by Joseph M. Altadonna (Motel Hell, Airwolf) is an impressive component of the film. The artistic style is something that certainly enhanced the production aesthetic. The production also benefits a great deal from by the superb costuming by Aggie Lyon (The Monster Squad, The Presidio). Characters in the film have great costumes and this aspect of the film adds quite a bit to the charm in Battle Creek Brawl.

Edited by Peter Cheung (Rumble in the Bronx, The Way of the Dragon) and George Grenville (Iron Eagle, Bite the Bullet), Battle Creek Brawl is a fast-paced actioner with some great set-pieces. The editors did good work with balancing the story and action elements without ever letting the film drag-on for too long. A good effort by the editing team.

The cinematography by Robert Jessup (Race with the Devil, A Small Town in Texas) is one of the highlights of Battle Creek Brawl. The style is engaging and provides a nice aesthetic. The visuals seem true to genre filmmaking of the time-period.

Jackie Chan and Pat E. Johnson (Mortal Kombat, The Karate Kid Part III) coordinate the action stunts. Chan does a great job with the stunt-work and there is always a ton of great spectacle in these fight sequences. The opening and ending acts of the film are especially packed with some impressive and memorable set-pieces. Chan doesn’t let go of this energy and it makes the energy of the film more immersive.

The score composed by Lalo Schifrin (Mission: Impossible, Rush Hour 2) is enormous fun and it both adds to and elevates the material. Schifrin is a first-rate composer and there is a lot of wonder in the score. A great part of the film and the journey. Schifrin helped to enhance the fight scenes with great music.

Written and directed by Robert Clouse (Enter the Dragon, Game of Death), Battle Creek Brawl is an entertaining and under-rated gem in Jackie Chan’s filmography. Though the film might not have a reputation as renowned as Enter the Dragon, the film is enormous fun and there are some great sequences throughout the production. Jackie Chan fans (and indeed fans of Enter the Dragon) should absolutely see Battle Creek Brawl.

Battle Creek Brawl Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, Battle Creek Brawl is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The presentation on the release is satisfying. The transfer capably showcases the cinematography by Robert Jessup.

The transfer has a good level of detail. The color reproduction on the release looks faithful to the aesthetic of the film. A quality presentation by Shout Factory.

Battle Creek Brawl Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The audio is provided in English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, and English Dolby Digital 5.1. English subtitles are provided on the release. The audio quality is generally satisfying on the release. Dialogue is well reproduced. The fun score composed by Lalo Schifrin sounds great on the release.

Battle Creek Brawl Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with Film Critic James Mudge

The Golden Boy: Harvesting a major new martial arts maverick (HD, 1:24: 44)

Interview with actress Kristine Debell (2022) (HD, 9:22)

Interview with actor Jackie Chan (SD, 3:33)

Interview with producer Fred Weintraub (HD, 11:51)

Interview with actress Kristine Debell (2013) (HD, 5:12)

Interview with critic and author David West (HD, 14:06)

Rumble in the USA: Jackie Chan takes on America – Interview with Rick Baker (HD, 18:46)

Original US Theatrical Opening (SD, 5:53)

Original Theatrical Trailer (HD, 3:14)

The Big Brawl Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2:36)

Still Gallery (HD, 2:24)

Battle Creek Brawl Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Battle Creek Brawl is an under-rated entry in the canon of Jackie Chan. The film was the first major film production to try and introduce Jackie Chan to audiences in North America. Though the film wasn't a box-office success, Battle Creek Brawl is plenty entertaining and there are some great action scenes too. Directed by Robert Clouse (Enter the Dragon), Battle Creek Brawl is an entertaining spectacle and a bit of a cult classic in its own right. The Blu-ray release features a quality presentation and a plethora of bonus features. Highly recommended.