Very disappointing...

Load of rubbish!!

Don't listen to the negative reviews

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

Of everything you read about this movie it is somewhat better than you think, but it isn't much and definitely isn't what you expect from Jackie Chan in a leading role. The majority of the film is tolerable. I mean the story and acting could've been better but if that was the entirety of the movie it would be a "meh". I'm not blaming Jackie for acting because I know this was his first English movie, but the others weren't so good. But the action scenes is where the movie lacks the most. Jackie himself even said the reason he believed the film failed is because he wasn't allowed to direct the fight scenes himself. To me, the action scenes get to the point of cringe worthy. If Jackie had made them the way he originally wanted, it would've redeemed the film a bit. It wouldn't have been much but would've made it stand out and kinda worth it going through all the slow pacing. The film does have some comedic moments but not many and they're very spread apart from each other. But when they're trying to be funny and it fails, it looks awkward especially if it's Jackie who's doing humor. If you're a really big Jackie Chan fan, I say it's worth a watch for curiosity sake.

Set in the 1930's, Battle Creek Brawl is the tale of one Jerry Kwan (Jackie), a young man who loves Martial Arts. When the classic gangsters of the day threaten his father's restaurant, Jerry fights back, finally using his much-practiced skills. Head mobster Dominici (Ferrer) sees his abilities as a fighter and, using strongarm tactics like kidnapping and threats, forces him into participating in the "Battle Creek Brawl", an event in Texas where the top fighters of the day go at each other in a big free-for-all. While he does have allies like Herbert (Mako) and his girlfriend Nancy (DeBell) on his side, it's going to take all of Jerry's tenacity to beat strongmen like Billy Kiss (Haggerty) who is known for his infamous "kiss of death"! Can Jerry do it? Find out today...Battle Creek Brawl is an interesting spin on the Punchfighting genre. Not only is it set in the 30's, with all the period garb and cars that would entail, but we also liked the idea of a town-wide Punchfighting event. The aptly-named Battle Creek, as a whole, comes together in the streets to watch the grown men pound on each other. So rather than take place in a dank cellar, it's out in the open with the whole town watching. We thought that was a nice difference. The "forced to fight" plot we've seen many times before, most recently in...well...Forced To Fight (2011), but this came out an amazing 31 years before that, and of course features a young Jackie Chan in the lead, who you can't help but love.We've always been fans of Jackie, and while this is such an early American movie for him, his English would improve in later years, his humorous/acrobatic/highly enjoyable fighting style is on full display. Because the plot of the gangsters taking over the restaurant is so similar to fellow Golden Harvest production The Return of the Dragon (1972), it could honestly be said that Jackie was taking over the mantle of top Martial Arts star worldwide from Bruce Lee. Jackie's rigorous training sequences are here as well, something he brought over from Asia. Jackie is backed up with some great co-stars: the ever-present fan-favorite Mako is on board, as is the cute Christine DeBell as Jackie's girlfriend, and a young Larry Drake as well. And of course Jose Ferrer as the main baddie. But who could forget H.B. Haggerty as Billy Kiss? He has a black cape that says "KISS" in huge letters, and his finishing move is to make out with his burly male opponent. How much of that Gene Simmons borrowed from, we'll never know. But the period setting and the way he looks must have influenced Van Damme for The Quest (1996). JCVD's final villain looks very similar, and is even played by Michael Qissi! Coincidence? Another difference between this and the much-later Forced To Fight is that this has clearly identifiable fighters with their own personalities and quirks. The FTF baddies are generic thugs. See that review for a further discussion on how Punchfighting opponents have gotten more generic over the years. The Lalo Schifrin music is typically excellent and raises the bar for the movie as a whole. Other highlights include the roller skating scene, and the fact that the crowd chants "Jer-ry! Jer-ry!" many years before Springer. Maybe they've been chanting for Jerry Kwan all along. In racism news, perhaps no other movie we've seen has had characters that say the word "chink" quite as many times, and by as many different characters, as Battle Creek Brawl. Maybe that was the only epithet they had back in the 30's. It was during the depression and all. But the movie as a whole is lighthearted fun and it's all done very well and professionally.Finally after years of awful-quality VHS tapes, a widescreen DVD was released in 2004 by Fox. Pick this up, and get your Jerry Kwan on today.

This, the initial attempt to introduce martial arts icon Jackie Chan to American audiences, was unfortunately a flop in its time, which is too bad considering that it's actually pretty enjoyable. It's not among his best work (and Chan himself dislikes the movie as he had little to no control), but aficionados of the martial arts genre could easily do worse. The fights are decent and somewhat rousing, and as has always been Chans' style, there's a liberal dose of comedy to the proceedings; the viewer may be laughing as often as they might be cheering. A number of familiar faces add to the fun; some of the people behind the legendary "Enter the Dragon", including director Robert Clouse, were on hand for this one.Jackie plays Jerry Kwan, a young Chinese man living in Chicago who catches the attention of mobster Dominici (Jose Ferrer), whose goons have been hassling Jerry's restaurateur father (Chao Li Chi). Dominici has his men kidnap Mae (lovely Rosalind Chao), fiancée to Jerry's brother, in order to force Jerry to compete in the Battle Creek Brawl, a big stakes fighting competition held in Texas. There Jerry must ultimately take on the reigning champion, Billy Kiss (H.B. Haggerty), so nicknamed because he gives his opponents the "kiss of death" after defeating them.With a bouncy, very amusing score by Lalo Schifrin as accompaniment, "The Big Brawl" creates a reasonable recreation of 1930s Chicago and Texas, and delivers an acceptable amount of humour and action. Jackie is engaging as always, no matter if English clearly wasn't his first language. Ferrer is a hoot, and Kristine DeBell is cute as Jerry's girlfriend Nancy. Mako is wonderful as Jackies' uncle and trainer; their training scenes are some of the brightest in the movie. Look, also, for appearances by Lenny Montana, Sonny Barnes, Earl Maynard, Larry Drake, and Ox Baker.This is an amiable diversion every step of the way, even if it isn't prime Jackie.Seven out of 10.

even though it's his first American movie, it delivers everything you expect from a jackie chan movie, including stunts, great fight scenes and comedy. its a great watch and jackie chan is a joy to watch in his many fight scenes with big wrestlers, and the comedy while some of it dated, for the most part it remains very funny and is entertaining. now some fans don't like this movie, and i cant understand why, it delivers everything you expect from a jackie can movie, sure maybe it is a little cheesy and times, and the acting not the best you've ever seen, but arnt most of jackie chans movies. never the less the big brawl is a great jackie chan flick, and i recommend to fans if his, and action fans in general.