CHINESE ZODIAC

Hong Kong, China, 2012, 109 minutes, Colour.
Jackie Chan, Oliver Platt, Qi Shu, Bing Bai.
Directed by Jackie Chan.

Jackie Chan made many, many action films from the 1970s onwards. He became a cinema icon. Not only were his films made in Hong Kong but he also starred in quite a number of American films, something he continued to do over the decades.

This is a comparatively later Jackie Chan film. It is full of action adventure, full of stunts (always with outtakes during the final credits).

It is a very complicated story, including Oliver Platt as a wealthy businessman. There are quite a number of people wanting to have possession of a variety of antiques, especially a range of heads of symbolic animals. Jackie Chan is a scout, on the lookout for the antiques, becoming involved, an agent.

However, there are various complications with the law, with some shady organisations, with some more respectable organisations. And an extensive journey, quite spectacular, through China.

That, of course, is not the point. The point is that this is a Jackie Chan film, with his agreeable screen presence, cheerfulness, cheekiness, going into action, arranging all kinds of stunt work – and a range of those with whom he can fight.

Obviously, not a film to be discussed but to be enjoyed.