An IRA splinter group kill a number of innocents with a bomb in London. This causes problems for Irish politician Liam Henessy, trying to balance a role as statesman, trying to negotiate the release of Republican prisoners, an affair, a bitter wife who holds him responsible for not avenging a family death, and assorted continuing links with the organisation with which he was so heavily involved before he went "respectable." Added to his problems is the revenge-bent father of one of the victims who regards Henessy as the only viable source of information about his daughter's killers. Given that this Sino-Vietnames gentleman has some black ops experience...

Pierce Brosnan plays Henessy and you don't have to look to deep to see Gerry Adams in there somewhere. Quan Ngoc Minh is played by Jack8e Chan in a performance which is worlds away from the character we have become used to. Yes, there are a couple of fight sequences, but they are brutal: no fun abou them. More to the point is that Quan, in his 60s, was grieving long gefore the bomb took his daughter. Chan's performance is so poignant and distressing that he is barely recognisable.

The plot is much denser than you might expect in this dark and satisfying thriller.

After Jackie Chan's daughter is killed by the so called 'authentic IRA' he sets out to track down her killer, by coercing ex IRA member and now deputy minister Pierce Brosnan to find out who did it.

2 stories essentially run in parallel here, Chan's revenge which gives us most of the standard, albeit well paced action and Brosnan working to find the killers whilst his past catches up with him

Not surprisingly given Martin Campbell is at the helm this hangs together well particularly the political elements and a fine star performance from Brosnan - seeing an older more subdued turn from Chan is also interesting

Better than expected vendetta movie with an unusual role for Jackie Chan as a humble restaurant owner with a buried past, who eventually becomes a merciless avenger . It deals with a businessman, Jackie Chan, runs a restaurant, when Quan carries to his daughter Fan : Katie Long, to a dressing store she is suddenly killed at an act of terrorism. The bombing is claimed by a terrorist organization called "Authentic IRA". Quan erupts in vendetta-fueled action and focusing on the Northern Ireland deputy Prime Minister, Henessy: Pierce Brosnan, married to Mary and with a lover, Charlie Murphy. Henessy holds a dark past and knows about identity of previous Ira terrorists, at the same time condemning the massacre perpretors . As Quan heads for Belfast to meet Henessy who allegedly has clues to the identities of the elusive murderers. While , Quan sets off a homemade bomb in his office. As he carries out threats unless he gets the bombers' names, though the government official Henessy claims to have not knowledge of the bombings . Quan blows away enemies who have killed those who were dear to him.

At the beginning the plot is plain and simple, a relentless revenge, but along the way the script becomes more and more complex and twisted, including a dangerous cat and mouse game among the main protagonists. As the tale contains noisy action, intrigue, violent fights, thrills, chills, suspense and a lot of twists and turns. Here our protagonist Quan acts Charles Bronson/Death Wish-alike, as he exacts as a vigilante, taking law on his own hands when his daughter is victimized , doing Judge, Jury and executioner. Very good acting all around. Jackie Chan gives the best performance of his long career as a good elderly father who seeks revenge when his only person who holds his existence is murdered in a clothing store bombing. Pierce Brosnan is fine, he plays the suspect State Official, Gerry Adams-alike whose past may hold fundamental tracks in the case. His jealous spouse is well played by Orla Brady, his intriguing lover performed by Charlie Murphy and his assistant Kavanaugh acted by Michael McElhatton of Game of thrones.

It contains an atmospheric and adequate cinematography by David Tattersall, showing efficiently London metropolis where sets the action. Thrilling and suspenseful musical score by Cliff Martinez. The motion picture was well directed by Martin Campbell. He is a good craftsman and expert on thrillers and action movies such as : No escape, Criminal law, Lovecraft, The mask of Zorro, The legend of Zorro, Three for all, GoldenEye, Casino Royale, Vertical limit, Reckless, Last resort, Edge of darkness, Green Lantern, among others. Rating 7/1o. Well worth seeing. Better than average. Essential and indispensable watching for Jackie Chan fans.