Jules Verne's classic novel Around The World In 80 Days proves fertile ground for chop-socky action and slapstick comedy in Frank Coraci's family-friendly adaptation starring Jackie Chan and Steve Coogan. Although it "never runs out of gas", the film received mixed critical reaction and producers eventually had their balloon burst at the US box office. On the upside, it fared much better on UK shores, which is perhaps largely due to Coogan's devoted fanbase.

World Weary

"It was like an endurance test making this movie," says the otherwise boyishly cheerful Coraci in Discovering Around The World. It's a fairly standard look at the making of the film, from the inkwell of Jules Verne to the kung-fu stylings of Jackie Chan, but cast and crew lift proceedings with sheer enthusiasm. Still, Coogan politely takes the backseat to his high-kicking co-star, but perhaps that's because, as Chan observes, "He's really, really British."

With reams of behind-the-scenes footage, Chan reveals how many of the key stunts were achieved in the fast and furious Around The World Of Jackie Chan. Among these, you'll see the little Chinaman dangling from a rope high above the streets of Berlin (doubling for Paris) in the hot air balloon escape sequence. "He's the master," states Coraci, marvelling at his unique ability to "mesh martial arts and comedy." But Chan sums it up a different way - "I almost kill myself."

Chicken Wings

A selection of eight deleted scenes (with optional commentary) is quite disappointing, with the only highlight being John Cleese's bumbling bobbie on the beat. In fact these are mostly extended scenes, which aren't noticeably different from what appears in the final cut. Similarly the Alternate Chicken Reel is a slightly longer version of the opening sequence, featuring an animated flying chicken in striped pyjamas. And why not?

The humour is a little more understated in a laidback but engaging feature commentary by Coraci and Coogan. Among a generous scattering of behind-the-scenes trivia, Coogan cheerfully reveals that Phileas Fogg's house, as seen in the film, was actually "a courthouse used by the Third Reich during WWII!" Meanwhile Coraci talks you through some of the more intricate action set-ups and counts down the number of direct hits to Ewen Bremner's bonce.

Around The World In 80 Days doesn't pack too much baggage on DVD, however the bright and breezy trio of Coraci, Chan, and Coogan just about manage to keep it aloft.

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