A LEGEND (传说) (2024)

Genre: Action/Fantasy
Director: Stanley Tong
Cast: Jackie Chan, Lay Zhang, Gulnazar, Aarif Rahman Lee, Li Chen, Peng Xiaoran, Shawn Dou, Zheng Yecheng 
Runtime: 2 hr 9 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Violence)
Released By: mm2 Entertainment
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 1 August 2024

Synopsis: Professor Fang (Jackie Chan), an archaeology expert, notices that the texture of the artifacts discovered by his students during a glacier expedition is strikingly similar to a jade pendant he had seen in his dreams. It seems as if the pendant is connecting dreams to reality. Filled with curiosity, Professor Fang leads the research team on a journey deep into the Glacier Temple, searching for the truth behind his dreams, and embarking on a fantastical adventure together. 

Movie Review:

Hong Kong director Stanley Tong’s The Myth was released almost 20 years ago in 2005. Our review of the movie praised the majestic battle sequences involving hundreds of extras and horses, as well as the breathtaking shots showcasing some of China’s most exotic locations. But we weren’t too impressed with the movie’s attempt to tackle romance while having leading man Jackie Chan execute some action sequences, and it didn’t help that there weren’t enough to please fans of the genre.

Tong and Chan are back in this supposed sequel, and the movie isn’t going to be just any fantasy romance action flick. Thanks to the use of AI, the movie made 70 year old Chan appear like a 27 year old version of himself. While the concept sounds perturbing, this is something Harrison Ford said yes to in Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny (2023), and also what Robert De Niro and Al Pacino went through in The Irishman (2019).

Truth be told, this writer didn’t realise he was looking at a de-aged Chan when the younger character first appeared on screen. In fact, he was wondering whether it was Taiwanese star Nicky Wu making a cameo appearance.

We won’t discuss how filmmakers are turning to AI, because it will be a never ending argument. But seeing how Tong has leveraged the technology for the story, you’d think it is a legitimate reason. Chan takes on the role of an archaeology professor who finds the artefacts discovered by his students (played Lay Zhang from No More Bets and Peng Xiaoran) mysteriously similar to what he sees in recurring dreams.

In these dream sequences, we see a de-aged Chan (look ma, no wrinkles!) and Zhang as generals crossing paths with a beautiful female lead (expect nothing less from a Jackie Chan movie) played by Gulnazar (Dynasty Warriors). Hot on their heels is a baddie played by Aarif Lee (Kung Fu Yoga). These moments provide the perfect opportunity for the cast members to don bulky outfits to engage in exhilarating horseback battles against scenic backdrops. These scenes are the best parts of the 129 minute movie, and you watch in awe as the animals gallop across the vast lands. It must have been quite a logistical challenge to film the parts involving hundreds of extras and horses.

A Jackie Chan movie is only complete when you have action sequences that see the Hong Kong star fumbling in a comic routine, but ultimately managing to defeat the bad guy. We get this in the finale of the movie that takes place in a glacier palace. We know that this location is probably a combination of a movie set and CGI magic, and while nothing beats the thrill of seeing Chan jump from high buildings, we need to be understanding and realistic here.

This won’t be the best action flick you’ll see, but if you enjoyed The Myth co starring Chan and Korean star Kim Hee Seon (we smiled when the tune of the beloved theme song was played), this lavish production with a reported budget of US50 million will remind you of a simpler time when you stepped into the cinema to enjoy the sheer spectacle of a Jackie Chan movie.

Movie Rating:

(Don't get distracted by a de-aged Jackie Chan and enjoy the sheer spectacle of horseback battles set against breathtaking backdrops)

Review by John Li