 Producer: Jackie Chan, Stanley Tong, Barbie Tung

 Director: Jackie Chan

 Writer: Jackie Chan
 Cast: Jackie Chan, Kwon Sang-Woo, Liao Fan, Yao Xing Tong, Zhang Lan Xin, Laura
Weissbecker
 Genre: Action, Adventure
 Ratings: 3 Stars

Quick Take:

Chinese Zodiac is a movie about a treasure hunter who is on a mission around the globe
searching for the 12 bronze animal head artifacts which represent the Chinese Zodiac signs. How
the plot unravels through numerous exotic and not so exotic locales makes an interesting watch.

Plot Review:

Jackie Chan essays the role of a larger than life treasure hunter Asian Hawk. Just like the
previous occasions Jackie multitasks in an exemplary manner by being almost omnipresent in
every role and aspect of the film.

With his trademark action sequence the main protagonist begins his quest for 12 bronze animal
heads symbolizing the Chinese Zodiac which were stolen from China around 150 years ago and
presently they are located around various parts of the globe.

He is hired by business tycoon Lawrence Morgan (Oliver Platt). Hawk then embark on a global
hunt to accomplish the task he had set out for. He travels around various continents and indulges
in sky diving as well a parkouring. On the way he encounters numerous enemies and also
befriends a host of interesting characters. A couple of people he encountered were a French
heires (Laura Weissbecker), a Chinese student of archeology (Yao Zingtong), Simon (Kwone),
Bonnie (Zhang) and David (Liao Fan). He also encounters an army from Russia as well as a band
of sinister pirates. He also has to encounter arch rival Vulture (Alaa Safi). Incidentally the
Vulture has his own ulterior motives to hunt for the heads all by himself.
With a cast as diverse as the one in this film, there is bound to be some depletion in the essence
of the film and this is the case here as the essence is lost in the medley of excesses. There are bits
and pieces where the humor was slapstick, just the way Jackie Chan would wish for it to happen
and there was ample of confusion due to the various languages which have made their way into
the plot albeit, this too failed to make a mark after a while.

The story takes the toll on the viewer's interest as it navigates from one destination to another
and keeps on adding a character at a time without any concrete reason to do so. This makes an
otherwise interesting travel escapade seem to be too taxing and uninteresting as well.
In terms of action, Jackie Chan knows just which buttons to press and the result is a masterpiece
which cannot be compared to any other film. The movie is fast paced and the action scenes seem
to be creatively portrayed with a zeal which is truly unmatched.

Clearly the showstopper is none other than Jackie Chan himself who can turn the tables with his
mere presence.

Screenplay and Direction:

The movie moves around in a typical Jackie Chan pattern and Jackie has borrowed liberally from
his previous films. In terms of narration too the movie should have had complete grip on the plot.
However within the initial stage itself the movie seemed to lose grip and ramble along aimlessly.
The director should have made it a point to stick to the main plot and not get involved in the
myriad sideshows which eventually overshadowed the main theme of the film.

The Highlight of the Movie:

Jackie Chan fighting with his antagonist Vulture on a sofa was a scene worth reckoning. It can
aptly be termed as the highlight of the movie.

Another scene which was extremely commendable was one in which Jackie was seen running in
a garden maze and he was being followed by four sinister dogs. His escape from this near fatal
situation also was a shot which made an edge of the seat viewing.
Final Verdict:

Jackie Chan is the childhood hero of many since generations and he continues to wield the same
power and charisma in the present time as well. Although his movie had a lot of loopholes yet
his presence in the frame more than made up for it. Fans of Jackie Chan will surely adore this
fare. However for other action lovers too this movie will be fairly watchable. Worth a onetime
watch, nothing more.