Asian Movie Review: CZ12 (aka Chinese Zodiac, 十二生肖, 2012)

If you saw the pictures from the HK premiere on admin bear's blog a few days ago,  you already know we were lucky enough to be invited by Zhang Lanxin to see her new movie "CZ12" (十二生肖), aka "Chinese Zodiac".Hardcore Jackie Chan fans will be pleased to hear that this film is actually a sequel of sorts to his 1991 film "Armor of God 2: Operation Condor".  In that film, and its predecessor feature Jackie playing a treasure hunting adventurer going to exotic locals in search of long lost treasure (usually with an entourage of female companions).

This time is no different,  Jackie is tasked by a wealthy art reseller with finding the missing Bronze Zodiac heads pillaged by the Western Powers from the Summer Palace in the 1860s.   One thing I like about this movie is that because its a sequel to his old school films,  it follows the similar formula,  something for good and for bad he's strayed from too much since the 90's...  this one isn't a fish-out-of-water buddy comedy with a Western star, its not a family friendly comedy or a dramatic period piece...  its just an excuse to put Jackie Chan through a lot of physical gags and elaborately staged fight scenes. The main differences between this one and those previous classics is that -

a) Jackie has a bigger budget to play with

b) Jackie's not 37 years old anymore, he's 58! (yikes).

Despite what you think,  #1 doesn't necessarily make this a better film,  the acting is still bad, the script is still thin, and the CG is not that impressive in many points.... and don't think that #2 means this film is completely lacking in the physicality that makes a Jackie Chan movie a Jackie Chan movie... he's amazingly spry for a 58 year old! :-P 

(although I imagine if you asked Jackie in 1991 when he just wrapped on "Operation Condor" if he would be willing to do a sequel 21 years later, he'd say no f'in way). 

This time he has a slightly larger entourage, including two guys with his three girls, which I guess helps spread the work load around.  It's probably a bit redundant but its also good international marketing, one of the guys is well known Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo, who you may remember from such Etchy movie reviews as Once Upon a Time in High School.

Of course the person we're most interested in is Zhang Lanxin,  not just because she's an artist on AnD,  but also because she gets a better role than the other two, rather than be just the damsel in distress, she has real action scenes, which are featured a bit in the trailer. (cause I couldn't find any good stills of her fighting on the web):

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHCorzCDTCU

Here's one of her at a pres conference doing a demonstration of her high kick abilities -

Pity the apple!Anyway, don't let me comment about the age discourage you,  the film is actually more impressive when you take that into account.  Main fight scene w/ the couches, etc was pretty decent even by 1980's Jackie standards.  The sequence I was least impressed with was the opening scenes where Jackie is wearing this roller suit thing... it looked silly and cartoonish and when I saw it I was thinking 'oh my god, its another "Who Am I" or "Mr. Nice Guy"!"  But thankfully it got better after that...

There's some decent physical comedy and a few surprise cameos to keep things interesting too.

Anyway,  go in with VERY muted expectations and you'll be entertained sufficiently.  I'll give it a sold 7/10 as long as you know what to expect.  If nothing else this makes me want to watch Operation Condor again... (although its probably unfair to compare 37 y/o Jackie to 58 y/o Jackie side by side)! :-P