THE 1956 film adaptation of Jules Verne's globetrotting classic was a three-hour visual spectacular that went on to collect five Oscars including Best Picture.

This new version doesn't have such lofty aspirations, nor will it be mounting a serious challenge at next year's Academy Awards.

However, Around The World In 80 Days is undemanding, wholesome family fun, awash with colour and suitably over-the-top performances.

Director Frank Oz re-imagines Verne's rollicking romp as an action-packed showcase for pint-sized martial arts dynamo Jackie Chan.

Thus, brave adventurer Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan) takes a narrative back seat to his wily manservant Passepartout (Chan), a bank thief who must somehow return to his small village in China and replace a jade buddha stolen by evil warlord, General Fang (Karen Joy Morris).

So Passepartout agrees to accompany Fogg on his hare-brained dash around the globe to make good on a wager with Lord Kelvin (Jim Broadbent), the minister for science who presides over the Royal Academy of Science with a fierce moustache.

If Fogg achieves his goal, he will replace Kelvin as Queen Victoria's most trusted advisor; if he fails, he must vacate his ramshackle home, leave the Academy and never invent again.

Fogg and Passepartout move from country to country, beginning with a brief sojourn in Paris where thrill-seeking artist Monique (Cecile De France) invites herself along on their quest.

Chan's acrobatics are a joy to watch as ever, including terrific skirmishes in a French art gallery, Passepartout's village and a San Francisco warehouse.

The diminutive star once again demonstrates his flair for physical comedy, with Coogan playing the straight man, who gets on with the serious business of blazing a trail and falling in love with Monique.

The romantic subplot is extremely weak and there aren't that many stops on Fogg's expedition, but when one location has served its purpose, a cute animated insert ushers us busily on to the next.

A host of famous faces enjoy cameos including Arnold Schwarzenegger as a conceited Turkish prince, Kathy Bates as Queen Victoria and Owen and Luke Wilson as the Wright brothers.

Rating 6/10