Around the World in 80 Days

**Around the World in 80 Days** is an American live-action film that was released on June 16, 2004.

## Plot

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-mile-per-hour (80 km/h) 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 travellers 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 and feeling used by his companions. He travels to San Francisco and is tricked out of his money. He is found destitute by Lau Xing and Monique who have followed him. In the Western desert they find the Wright brothers who discuss their prototype flying machine. Fogg suggests a few changes, which are eagerly taken.

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, promising a new ship to the captain. 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 the insult which leads to Kelvin’s arrest. 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 and Characters

* Jackie Chan as Passepartout / Lau Xing / Tiger #10
* Steve Coogan as Phileas Fogg
* Cécile de France as Monique Laroche
* Jim Broadbent as Lord Kelvin
* Even Bremner as Inspector Fix
* Kathy Bates as Queen Victoria
* Arnold Schwarzenegger as Prince Hapi
* Ian McNeice as Colonel Kitchener
* Karen Mok as General Fang
* Roger Hammond as Lord Rhodes
* David Ryall as Lord Salisbury
* Mark Addy as Steamer Captain
* Richard Branson as Balloon Man
* John Cleese as Grizzled Sergeant
* Will Forte as Young French Policeman Bobby
* Macy Gray as Sleeping French Woman
* Sammo Hung as Wong Fei Hung / Tiger #2
* Rob Schneider as San Francisco Hobo
* Luke Wilson as Orville Wright
* Owen Wilson as Wilbur Wright
* Daniel Wu as Bak Mei
* Robert Fyfe as Jean Michel
* Adam Godley as Mr. Sutton
* Maggie M. Quigley as Female Agent
* Phil Meheux as London Hobo
* Michael Youn as Art Gallery Manager
* Frank Coraci as Angry Dapper Pedestrian
* Don Tai as Ho / Tiger #9

## 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.

## Reception

### Critical Response

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." Metacritic gives the film a weighted score of 49 out of 100, based on reviews from 33 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.

The Guardian critic Rob Mackie, criticized it for having little to no resemblance to the novel it is based on. Roger Ebert praised it for its visual style and for being "goofy fun". 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." In 2014, the Los Angeles Times listed the film as one of the most expensive box office flops of all time.

## Awards and Nominations

 Worst Remake or Sequel
 Worst Supporting Actor
 Most Unwelcome Remake