Good old Chinese action comedy
Jackie! Panda! Kung fu! It doesn't get much more Chinese than thatI wanted a fun stupid action comedy and I got exactly what I was looking for.
Being a Jackie fan since about 20 years ago, I can't say that there were any big surprises. The story is nothing new, the execution and the quirky characters make it fun. I especially enjoyed Shi Ce playing the panda caretaker, that is scared to bits, but goes out and beyond to protect the little Panda baby. Some parts of the CGI look sloppy, others are really detailed. They did put a lot of effort into the Panda, which makes sense seeing it's the main star of the movie.
To me this movie's charm lies in the fact that you get the good old stunts, but some new faces and a pinch of self-irony.
Jackie, playing himself, looks tired and the fighting is visibly exhausting him, even with his hair dyed you can tell that he is old. Well, because he is old! He is an aging action movie actor, that still keeps on going, because people love what he does. And he himself loves it too, but he also just wants to sit down and enjoy his ice cream sometimes. (one of my favourite scenes)
But I'd argue that you don't need to be his fan to enjoy the movie. You do have to enjoy this kind of slapstick comedy though.
I'd probably rewatch for the same reason I've rewatched Jackie's other movies countless times - for the fun and well choreographed fight scenes.
I do hope Jackie will enjoy his retirement at one point, but until then I am happy to see some more Action!
Was this review helpful to you?
A some what step up from A Legend.
Some what of a step up from A Legend, Panda Plan gets by because this is Jackie Chan doing exactly what he's known for, possibly for the last time. The film only really manages to elicit a light chuckle, even at the most trying of times. The problem stems from a lead who's way past his prime, although to be fair, at 70, Chan remains spry and in great shape, but there's no denying that awkward framing, poor editing, obvious speed ramping, body doubles, and painted-out wire work do serious heavy lifting. Zhang Luan's lightweight Die Hard-in-a-zoo action demands so little from its viewers, often thinking a poorly realised CGI panda is a good substitute for all the stuff we love Jackie Chan films for. Instead, the film becomes more of a tedious trudge through lazily choreographed fight sequences, sluggish chases and torridly scripted interactions between Chan's lethargic protagonist, an interchangeable ensemble of goofball mercenaries and a horrendous villain, all coupled with forgettable music and some questionable acting from the supporting players. Setting aside the meta references, Panda Plan fails in its attempt to aim at the kids with the stale jokes that don't appeal to anybody, irrespective of age; it's high budget, but the effort isn't. Maybe New Police Story 2 will deliver… I remain hopeful for that one at the very least.Was this review helpful to you?
The story begins when international action star Jackie Chan is invited to attend a special adoption ceremony at a wildlife reserve. There, he becomes the adoptive guardian of a rare giant panda cub named Hu Hu, whose unusual appearance and exceptional genetic traits make him famous around the world. While Jackie simply wants to enjoy his time with the lovable panda, Hu Hu's popularity also attracts the attention of a ruthless international crime syndicate.
The situation quickly takes a chaotic turn when the crime syndicate tries to collect a massive $100 million bounty placed on Hu Hu by a wealthy Middle Eastern sheikh, and a heavily armed team of international mercenaries storms the park to kidnap the cub. Suddenly, Jackie finds himself trapped in a real-life action movie—only this time, there are no directors, special effects, or stunt doubles to save the day.
To protect the defenseless panda, Jackie teams up with his cowardly but well-meaning talent agent, David, and Hu Hu's fiercely dedicated caretaker, Su Xiaozhu. Together, this unlikely trio must rely on their wits, the environment around them, and Jackie's signature improvised kung fu skills to outsmart the high-tech mercenaries and keep Hu Hu safe.
So, how does the story end? Will Jackie Chan succeed in saving Hu Hu from the bad guys, just like he does in his movies? Or will the syndicate ultimately succeed in snatching Hu Hu and claim their prize?
That's pretty much the story without giving anymore spoilers.
This film reminds us that Jackie Chan is getting older. Jackie Chan’s action may be slower now, but his spirit, his comedy remains unchanged. I really like how he kinda changed his action movie to a more gentler one…
If you're a fan of Jackie Chan. This is a must watch…
Was this review helpful to you?
Cuteness and Jackie Chan!
I basically was attracted to the movie because it is Pandas (yes, I extremely love pandas!!) and the 2nd was I am quite a fan of Jackie Chan movies. As always, Jackie's movies never disappoint. This movie is filled with alot of action, comedy and after completing the movie, quite a touching movie. The storyline is quite good and the actors, all of them, actually did a remarkable job of bringing the movie to life.Was this review helpful to you?
