Overview"Chinese Zodiac", likewise referred to as "CZ12", is a 2012 Hong Kong-Chinese action funny movie launched in 2012. Written, directed, and starred in by Jackie Chan, "Chinese Zodiac" is purportedly one of his most pricey movies to date. The movie is the third installation in Chan's "Armor of God" series, following "Armor of God" (1987) and "Operation Condor" (1991). "Chinese Zodiac" incorporates elements of adventure, fight, and funny, showcasing Chan's special blend of action and humor.
PlotThe movie is centered around JC (Jackie Chan), a proficient explorer and treasure hunter with a talent for danger-evading maneuvers. He leads a group on an around the world hunt to recover the 12 bronze heads of the Chinese zodiac, which were looted from the Summer Palace in Beijing throughout the Second Opium War. A rich business person, MP Corporation's Pierre Marceau, works with JC and his group, assuring a good-looking reward for each artifact they revive.
The experience starts with JC effectively recovering the bronze Dragon head from a ship wreckage. In order to obtain the other Zodiac heads, JC disguises himself and sneaks into the mansion of a countess who has the staying heads. Here, he meets Coco, a Chinese activist from Paris advocating for the return of the Zodiac heads to China, and they form a not likely alliance.
Scenes and HighlightsThe film differentiates itself with Jackie Chan's signature daredevil stunts and comical fight scenes. In one exceptional scene, JC leaves from a group of pursuers while wearing a suit that allows him to rollerblade at high speeds - a stunt Chan performed himself. The movie likewise consists of sequences filmed in areas like France, Latvia, Australia, and China, contributing to its spectacle.
ConclusionAs the search gets desperate, JC lastly traces the remaining Zodiac heads to a secret location in the South Pacific. Upon reaching there, he, Coco and a newly found good friend Simon, face many obstacles, consisting of a final showdown with Marceau's henchmen. In a twist, JC finds out that Marceau had no objective of returning the artifacts to the museum, however planned to sell them to a secret buyer. Driven by Coco's ideals, JC chooses to return the heads to their rightful place, causing an extreme battle for the belongings of the Zodiac heads.
Final Remarks"Chinese Zodiac" earned mixed evaluations, with critics praising the action series and beautiful locations, while criticizing the plot as disjointed and the humor as required. However, Jackie Chan's performance was commonly applauded, his ideal mix of funny and acrobatics providing numerous amusing scenes. The film likewise touches on the problem of cultural artifact repatriation, making a declaration about the treasures stolen during wars and conflicts. In spite of its criticism, "Chinese Zodiac" proved successful, earning over $180 million globally, making it among Chan's highest-grossing films.
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