Fun though it is to see Jackie Chan good-naturedly busting out the classic moves – and very spry he is at 70 years old – this really is a by-the-numbers piece of work. It’s a Chinese action comedy in which Chan plays himself, the adored movie star, who is a little bored with the range of downtime activities on offer for an icon like him.
Then he jumps at the chance to adopt a rare baby panda at the zoo, and shows up just as a kidnap attempt is under way: a battalion of tough guys have been sent in to abduct the CGI creature at the behest of some Middle Eastern businessmen whose obvious stereotypical villainy is finally redeemed by some sentimental tearjerking — and of course Chan has to kick their butts in that unique slapstick way, helped by winsome zoo assistant Su Xiaozhu (Shi Ce). It’s a kids’ film in essence, although oddly the action violence means that it has a 15 certificate in the UK.
The trailer bills it as “Jackie Chan’s last action comedy”, let’s hope they just mean “latest” as he should go out on a high.