Legendary action star Jackie Chan returns to the big screen in the delightfully goofy Chinese action comedy Panda Plan. At 70 years young, Chan proves he’s still got the chops to deliver his signature blend of high-flying kicks, slapstick humor, and heartwarming charm. While the film doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it provides a fun, family-friendly adventure that showcases Chan’s enduring appeal.
A Movie Star’s Panda-monium
In Panda Plan, Chan plays a fictionalized version of himself – a globally adored movie star seeking new thrills outside his glamorous life. When he volunteers to adopt a rare baby panda at the zoo, he unwittingly stumbles into a kidnapping attempt by stereotypical Middle Eastern villains bent on panda-napping the cute CGI cub.
Naturally, it falls on Chan to protect the precious panda using his legendary martial arts prowess. Aided by perky zookeeper Su Xiaozhu (Shi Ce), Chan kicks, punches, and bumbles his way through a series of action set pieces to thwart the bad guys and ensure the baby panda’s safety.
Classic Chan Action and Comedy
Director Lan Han allows Chan to shine in his element, orchestrating fight scenes and physical gags that harken back to the actor’s prime. Chan’s masterful stunt work, acrobatics, and impeccable comic timing are on full display as he outmaneuvers henchmen and narrowly escapes zany scenarios like runaway forklifts and rampaging rhinos.
Unlike many aging action heroes who lampoon their fading relevance, Chan fully embraces his enduring stardom. A running joke has him rejecting offers to attend peer Sylvester Stallone’s birthday bash, cheekily implying his career hasn’t waned enough for Expendables-style self-parody. It’s clear Chan feels no need to hang up his fighting shoes just yet.
Basically, Chan is doing the same sort of stunts and comedy that he was doing decades ago; not for him the ironised references to an action star getting older and more unfashionable.
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
Cute Animals and Cartoony Fun
While Chan’s antics drive the story, the real scene-stealer is the adorable baby panda rendered in charming CGI. The furry critter’s oversized eyes and lovable animations bring an extra dose of cuteness that will delight kids. Other humorous digital animal additions include a hyperactive rhino that Chan must wrangle in a frenetic chase sequence.
The cartoonish menagerie and Chan’s lighthearted escapades make Panda Plan most suitable as children’s entertainment, though some action scenes teeter into PG-13 territory with their karate chop-socky. Still, the film maintains a family-friendly tone as it builds to a warmhearted, if cloying, resolution.
Silly Stereotypes and Simple Storytelling
Those seeking narrative complexity won’t find it in this straightforward rescue romp. The Middle Eastern villains come across as lazy cultural stereotypes, though the script tries to humanize them with a tacked-on sentimental backstory. Fortunately, their ultimate defeat carries a positive message about wildlife conservation.
Likewise, the plot is predictable panda fluff, serving mainly as a framework for Chan to flex his comedic martial arts muscles. It’s disappointing that co-star Shi Ce gets underutilized in a one-note role as Chan’s klutzy sidekick. A late attempt at adding emotional stakes with the panda’s health crisis feels unearned.
Jackie Chan’s Still Got It
Where Panda Plan succeeds is in giving Chan a chance to revisit his crowd-pleasing brand of action comedy. Watching the septuagenarian gamely perform acrobatic stunts, prat falls, and fight choreography is a joy, reminding audiences why he became a global superstar. Even if the film relies on a tried-and-true formula, it’s one Chan has perfected.
By not fixating on his age, Panda Plan allows Chan to simply be himself – a gifted physical comedian with undeniable charisma. His megawatt smile, expressive mugging, and dexterous moves power this lightweight lark. For his fans, that’s more than enough to make this panda rescue mission worth watching.
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.
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
Conclusion: Pandas, Punches and Plenty of Laughs
While Panda Plan doesn’t redefine Jackie Chan’s career, it delivers a fun, funny, family-friendly action comedy carried by his boundless energy and likability. The cute CGI animals, slapstick hijinks, and martial arts spectacle combine into a thoroughly entertaining, if forgettable, romp.
If you’re a fan of Chan’s trademark blend of swift kicks and silly shtick, Panda Plan proves he can still bring the goods. At 70, this action-comedy legend isn’t about to slow down or hang up his fighting shoes. As long as Chan keeps busting moves and eliciting laughs, his audience will happily follow wherever his panda rescue mission takes him.
