‘Panda Plan’ Review #2
Stars: Jackie Chan, Wei Xiang, Han Yanbo, Temur Mamisashvili, Shi Ce | Written by Meng Yida, Xu Wei | Directed by Zhang Luan
Directed by Zhang Luan, Panda Plan is the latest vehicle for international action superstar Jackie Chan, who, at 70 years old, continues to defy the physical limitations of age (and science) with his trademark blend of martial arts and slapstick comedy. The film sees Chan playing a more animated version of himself with a meta twist that both celebrates and gently mocks his decades-long career. The premise is simple yet absurd. Jackie, the beloved movie star, adopts a rare baby panda named Hu Hu at a zoo, only to find himself embroiled in a rescue mission when mercenaries attempt to kidnap the dodgy CGI critter for a mysterious Middle Eastern client.
The film starts with a self-aware action sequence, a chaotic shootout in a church that’s revealed to be a movie set within the movie. Jackie, playing himself, questions the realism of taking down hordes of enemies single-handedly, a nod to his own storied filmography. Tired of churning out generic action flicks, he jumps at the chance to adopt a panda at Noah Zoo, an island facility that feels like a low-budget Jurassic Park knockoff. Accompanied by his bumbling agent David (Wei Xiang) and the panda’s earnest caretaker Su Xiaozhu (Shi Ce), Jackie’s day of panda cuddling is interrupted by a gang of cartoonish mercenaries led by James (Temur Mamisashvili) and orchestrated by a shadowy figure (Han Yanbo). Their mission: nab the panda for a $100 million bounty.
The setup is ripe for Jackie’s classic formula, improbable odds, improvised weapons, and a dash of humour, but at times Panda Plan struggles to balance its tone. The first hour plays like a breezy action-comedy, with Jackie dodging bullets and baddies in real-time sequences that echo some of his best works. However, the final act veers into more of a melodrama with a supposed message. This tonal whiplash undermines the film’s lighthearted charm, leaving viewers unsure whether to laugh or feel a little sad.
At its core, Panda Plan is a showcase for Jackie Chan’s enduring appeal. Now in his seventh decade, Chan remains remarkably spry, executing stunts with an agility that defies his age, though eagle-eyed fans will spot the occasional stunt double and subtle wirework. His physicality is tempered by a playful self-awareness: enemies marvel at facing “the real Jackie Chan,” with one even anticipating his moves from watching his films. These meta gags like a ladder fight reminiscent of Rumble in the Bronx, are the film’s highlights, tapping into nostalgia albeit without fully recapturing the magic of his prime.
Chan’s charisma is the glue holding Panda Plan together. Whether he’s winking at the camera, wincing in mock pain, or driving a forklift in a goofy chase, he exudes the same infectious energy that made him a global icon. Yet, there’s a sense of diminished returns. Where classics like Drunken Master or Police Story paired his acrobatics with inventive choreography and tight pacing, Panda Plan leans too heavily on his persona, sidelining the polish that once elevated his work. The action, choreographed by Lü Shijia, feels a little repetitive with punchy kicks and prop-based gags that lack the fluidity of Chan’s heyday. It’s truly a testament to his star power that these scenes remain watchable, but they rarely thrill.
The supporting cast delivers an expected mixed bag. Wei Xiang’s David provides comic relief with his over-the-top incompetence, while Shi Ce’s Su Xiaozhu brings a quiet sincerity that grounds the zanier moments. The villains, however, are a bit of a letdown, mercenaries with little personality beyond their awe of Jackie. The Middle Eastern antagonist, initially a stereotypical baddie, gets a sentimental redemption that feels tacked on rather than organic.
Then there’s the panda itself. Hu Hu is a fully CGI creation, a choice that avoids animal welfare concerns but sacrifices authenticity. The digital bear ranges from passably cute to jarringly uncanny, with fart and poop gags that aim for kid-friendly laughs but often land as cringe-worthy. For a film centered on a panda, the lack of a tangible, adorable presence is a glaring flaw, especially when compared to real-animal charmers like Babe or Paddington.
Panda Plan wants to be a love letter to Jackie Chan’s legacy while delivering a family-friendly adventure. It partially succeeds on the former, with in-jokes about his big nose, his action-star status, and even a sly dig at Sylvester Stallone (Jackie opts for the zoo over Sly’s party). Yet, as a standalone film, it falters. The script, co-written by Zhang Luan, Wei Xu, and Meng Yida, lacks the sharpness to sustain its runtime. Action sequences are interspersed with sluggish exposition, and the zoo-turned-warehouse setting feels generic rather than inspired.
The film’s pro-panda conservation message is fine but heavy-handed, especially in the finale. It’s a stark contrast to Chan’s earlier works, where themes of honour or perseverance emerged organically through action, not forced sentiment. Here, the emotional beats feel like a studio mandate to tug at heartstrings, diluting the escapist fun that should define a Jackie Chan movie.
After a string of lacklustre efforts like Vanguard (2020) and Hidden Strike (2023) Panda Plan is a modest improvement. It sidesteps the grim gunplay of The Foreigner (2017) returning to the martial arts comedy that made Chan a household name. Compared to 2023’s Ride On, which offered a poignant reflection on Chan’s stuntman roots, Panda Plan feels less introspective and more commercial. It’s a film content to coast on his goodwill rather than push boundaries, a far cry from the death-defying innovation of Project A (1983) or Rumble in the Bronx (1995).
Panda Plan is a mixed bag, a nostalgic throwback that showcases Jackie Chan’s enduring charm but stumbles in execution. It’s infectiously silly at times, with enough classic Jackie moments to satisfy diehard fans, yet it’s too uneven to stand among his greats. Kids might enjoy the panda antics and slapstick, but adults expecting the wit and charm of peak Chan will find it a pale imitation. At 70, Jackie proves he’s still got some fight left, but this plan doesn’t quite deliver the knockout punch.
*** 3/5
Panda Plan had a limited UK cinema release earlier this year, courtesy of Cineasia.
