Alright, fellow tapeheads, slide that worn-out copy of Who Am I? (1998) into the VCR, maybe give the tracking a little nudge, and let’s talk about one of Jackie Chan’s late-90s international blowouts. Remember finding this one on the 'New Releases' wall at Blockbuster? The cover alone promised globe-trotting action and stunts that made your palms sweat just looking at the stills. And boy, did it deliver on that promise, even if the plot sometimes felt like it was making itself up as it went along.
### Amnesia as an Action Catalyst
The setup is pure, distilled 90s action fodder: A multi-national special forces unit pulls off a shady operation in South Africa, only to be double-crossed and eliminated... except for one survivor, codenamed "Who Am I?" (Jackie Chan). After a nasty crash leaves him with total amnesia under the care of a remote African tribe (yes, really), he embarks on a quest to rediscover his identity. Naturally, this involves him stumbling into a larger conspiracy involving CIA agents, deadly assassins, and a super-dangerous energy weapon McGuffin.
Look, the plot isn't exactly John le Carré. It's a functional framework designed specifically to get Jackie from one incredible set piece to another, spanning continents from the plains of Africa to the urban landscapes of Rotterdam. But there’s a certain charm to its earnestness, helped immensely by Jackie’s inherent likability. His character's confusion and genuine desire to do the right thing, even while instinctively unleashing martial arts mayhem, makes him easy to root for. We also get capable support from Michelle Ferre as a journalist who gets swept up in the chaos and Mirai Yamamoto as a fellow operative with unclear motives.
### Peak Jackie: Doing the Impossible
Let’s be honest, we didn’t rent Who Am I? for intricate plotting. We rented it for Jackie Chan, and this film showcases him operating near the absolute peak of his physical prowess and creative insanity. Co-directing alongside the late, great Benny Chan (who would later direct Jackie again in the fantastic New Police Story), Jackie ensures the action is not just spectacular, but woven into the environment and character.
The fights are classic Jackie – inventive, acrobatic, and often hilarious. He uses whatever’s handy, turning ordinary objects into weapons or tools for escape. The highlight for pure Jackie ingenuity might just be the fight scene in Rotterdam where he takes on thugs while wearing traditional Dutch wooden clogs. Remember seeing that for the first time? It’s brilliantly choreographed chaos, showcasing his ability to blend slapstick timing with genuinely painful-looking impacts.
But then there’s the stunt. The one that likely made insurance agents weep. I’m talking about the slide down the sloped edge of the Willemswerf building in Rotterdam. No wires (at least not visibly or significantly supporting), no CGI safety net – just Jackie, a 21-story building face angled at a terrifying 45 degrees, and gravity. Seeing that on grainy VHS felt absolutely heart-stopping. Retro Fun Fact: Jackie apparently performed this legendary slide himself, and accounts suggest it was even more dangerous than it looked, with the angle proving steeper than anticipated. It remains one of the most audacious practical stunts ever filmed, a testament to an era where performers put their bodies on the line in ways that feel almost mythical today. Modern action films might look smoother, but do they capture that same raw, visceral "did he really just do that?!" feeling? Rarely.
### Global Scale, Grounded Danger
The film benefits hugely from its international locations. Shooting in South Africa and the Netherlands gives Who Am I? a sense of scale that elevates it beyond many Hong Kong productions of the time. Retro Fun Fact: The film reportedly had a hefty budget for a Hong Kong production (around HK$200 million), and it shows in the production values and location work. The climactic rooftop fight atop the very building Jackie slid down is another masterclass in practical stunt work and fight choreography, utilising the architecture itself as part of the battleground.
While Jackie’s English dialogue delivery has its charmingly awkward moments, it actually works for the character here – a man literally out of place and unsure of who he is. It adds to the vulnerability that makes his sudden bursts of superhuman agility even more striking. The pacing, driven by the co-direction of Jackie Chan and Benny Chan, is relentless, barely pausing for breath between chases, fights, and near-death experiences.
### The VHS Verdict
Who Am I? wasn't necessarily a critical darling in the West upon release, often seen as a fun but slightly silly action romp overshadowed by Jackie's impending Hollywood breakthrough with Rush Hour later the same year. But for fans, especially those discovering him on VHS, it was pure gold. It captured that unique blend of jaw-dropping action, charming comedy, and genuine physical risk that defined his prime. It's a film that feels intrinsically tied to the physical media era – something you’d excitedly recommend to friends, rewinding the tape to show them that slide again and again.
Rating: 8/10
Justification: While the plot is thin and some performances are functional, the sheer audacity and brilliance of the practical stunt work, coupled with Jackie Chan's undeniable charisma and inventive fight choreography, make this an absolute standout of 90s action. The Rotterdam slide alone elevates it significantly. It delivers exactly what it promises: non-stop, high-energy entertainment.
Final Thought: In an age of seamless digital trickery, Who Am I? remains a glorious, tangible reminder of when action heroes bled, bruised, and genuinely risked it all for that perfect, unbelievable shot – pure, unadulterated VHS Heaven.