Chinese Zodiac Movie Review

I was able to watch Chinese Zodiac on its second week, before Chinese New Year 2013, on Feb 10.  I wasn't expecting much, but watching it made me reminiscent of the good old Jackie Chan movies.

For me, this is a recommended movie to watch with the whole family .  Not for small innocent kids, but teens may enjoy this film.  This is in par with the Armor of God series of more specific Operation Condor movie.  In the movie, Jackie Chan still uses Mitsubishi as his mode of transport.  He still has the trademark method of eating chewing gum.

How was the Story?

The story has a very simple plot.  The reluctant hero or anti-hero gets involved on a greedy wealthy businessman.  He is good at stealing, and is even proud of his profession.  The story starts as good, then somewhere along the way it gets confusing on a new character just arriving and I never get how she got involved on that part.

Story is good enough, hey, it's a Jackie Chan movie, this is one of the better written story than Mister Nice Guy.  That even has a worst ending than this or the Medallion has an even worst ending than Mister Nice Guy.

The story narration has a start and has an end, and some secondary character story mixed in the main story.  If you aren't a fan of Jackie Chan, and more of a story buff, then I suggest stay clear of this movie.  

How are the Visuals?

Visuals are good, this is a real action movie, none of those CGI stuff. Well, there could be some CGI, but not on the stunts.  The fight sequence are the ones you would expect from a Jackie Chan movie, flowery flowing movements, and almost realistic fight scenes.  When Jackie Chan kicks or punches, he gets hurt on the contact point.

There are fight scenes or action sequence that has never been done before in any film.  Such is the trademark of a Jackie Chan film.  Visually the movie is adequately pleasing.  I still think this movie, is trying to capture the 90's style of movie direction, only with today's latest technology put in the mix. 

How was it Overall?

Overall, it is a 4 out of 5 stars.  Story was okay.  Action was adequate.  Visuals are good.  I enjoyed watching Jackie Chan's last action movie, where he does his own stunts.  

This is the kind of movie, I will watch even though I know the story isn't all there.  I get to see a world where beautiful things happened and people of different nationalities are all there.  Can you imagine modern pirates with different nationalities?  Only in a Jackie Chan movie. 

I laughed multiple times watching this in the cinema.  Other audiences, I was with inside the cinema, laughed also with me.  If you are trying to forget your problems for a while and what a good laugh and action.  Then, this is the movie to watch, just throw away the serious and clear story aspect of the movie.