Eric Jacobus, the acclaimed stuntman and action designer celebrated for his “Tekken In Real Life” videos and as the stunt double for Kratos in Sony’s God of War series, is thrilling fans by releasing his seminal work, Contour, on his official YouTube channel. For the first time ever, this feature-length action comedy, which jump-started Jacobus’s career, will be available in its original, uncut form and enhanced resolution, completely free of charge.
Contour introduces us to Lawrence (Law) Young, a small-time criminal who doubles as an irritable tour guide in San Francisco. The plot thickens with the arrival of Alfonso de la Rosario, a prince from the little-known island nation of Uruvia, who entangles Law in a quest to retrieve a compromising “private video” of his royal parents. What starts as a seemingly simple mission quickly spirals into an adventure through San Francisco’s underworld, all while accompanied by a group of unsuspecting tourists.
Shot in 2004 on a modest budget, Contour is a testament to the raw, unfiltered essence of Hong Kong-style action. Remarkably, the film’s adrenaline-pumping finale stretches nearly 30 minutes, a feat accomplished without the aid of stunt doubles, wires, or digital effects. This authenticity and commitment to action have earned Contour a dedicated cult following since its initial DVD release.
Behind the scenes, the production of Contour was equally fascinating and challenging. The project spanned nearly a year, with over two months dedicated solely to the climactic battle. Due to financial constraints, cast members frequently wore ski masks to portray various villains, adding a layer of gritty realism (and budget-friendly filmmaking) to the numerous fight scenes. The dedication of Jacobus and his team was such that injuries were a common price paid for their art, underscoring the film’s raw physicality in an age dominated by digital enhancement and CGI.
As we approach the 20th anniversary of Contour in 2024, Eric Jacobus invites fans old and new to join in celebrating this milestone. The official premiere is set for Friday, April 19, at 7 pm PDT on Jacobus’s YouTube Channel. Following the premiere, viewers can participate in a live stream Q&A session with stars Eric Jacobus and Dennis Ruel. The event promises to be an interactive experience, complete with a Hong Kong action film trivia contest, exclusive giveaways of Contour memorabilia and autographed DVDs, and candid discussions about the action film industry. Attendees are encouraged to embrace the spirit of the occasion with Hawaiian shirts, Mai Tais, and a readiness for unfiltered commentary.