🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jackie Chan
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 2012
- Runtime (length): 2h 2min
- IMDb rating: 6.0/10 (25K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Jackie Chan rollerblades away from cultural sensitivity, looking for lost heads because…reasons?
🍿 Chinese Zodiac: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Mission Begins
Asian Hawk, played by Jackie Chan, leads a mercenary team tasked with recovering the twelve bronze heads of the Chinese Zodiac animals. These artifacts were looted from the Old Summer Palace in the 1800s. The team employs various gadgets and skills, setting the stage for globe-trotting adventures.

Paris and Intrigue
The team’s journey takes them to Paris, where they encounter Coco, a passionate Chinese student advocating for the return of stolen cultural relics. They also meet Katherine, a French aristocrat with ties to the artifacts, whose family history is intertwined with the lost treasures. Alliances form as they navigate auctions and evade rivals.

Island Adventure and Pirate Encounter
The search leads them to a remote island, where they discover more clues and face unexpected challenges. A band of multilingual pirates enters the scene, adding another layer of complexity to the mission. The team must use their wits and combat skills to overcome the pirates and continue their quest.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Asian Hawk (Jackie Chan): A resourceful mercenary leading a team to recover stolen Chinese zodiac artifacts, showcasing acrobatic fighting skills and a change from profit-driven thief to cultural preservationist.
- Coco (Xingtong Yao): A passionate Chinese student and activist who advocates for the return of looted cultural treasures, influencing Asian Hawk’s mission.
- Katherine (Laura Weissbecker): A French aristocrat who joins the team in search of her great-grandfather’s lost ship, adding a personal stake to the artifact recovery.
- Simon (Kwon Sang-woo): A skilled member of Asian Hawk’s mercenary team.
- Lawrence Morgan (Oliver Platt): The unscrupulous head of an auction house, hiring Asian Hawk to steal the Chinese Zodiac heads for profit.
- Vulture (Alaa Safi): A rival mercenary who competes with Asian Hawk for the artifacts, leading to intense confrontations and fight sequences.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Lawrence Morgan: “It’s one million euros each, and if he gets us the dragon as well, I’ll add another zero.” – Said to emphasise the high stakes involved in acquiring the artifacts.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $45 million
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $171.3 million
💥 Chinese Zodiac Reviews
Personal Review
I’ve been a Jackie Chan fan since I was a kid, so I went into this with a lot of nostalgia. While it’s not his best work, it’s a fun ride with plenty of over-the-top stunts and the humor I’ve come to expect. That skydiving scene? Insane! And I admit, I smiled when I saw him fighting on that sofa. Pure Jackie Chan. It made me feel like a kid again, watching his movies on VHS.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Jackie Chan fans”
- “Action-comedy enthusiasts”
- “Viewers interested in adventure films with cultural themes”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Action violence”
- “Brief partial nudity”
- “Some scenes may contain culturally insensitive depictions (historical context)”
- “Mild language”
Professional Reviews
- Nerdly: “An enjoyable, if somewhat chaotic, action-adventure with classic Jackie Chan stunts and a dash of cultural commentary. The plot can be convoluted, but the action set-pieces are well-executed, and the film provides plenty of entertainment for fans of the genre.
- IMDb User Review: “Typical Jackie Chan film. It is an enjoyable watch with the usual stunts and comedy. The story is pretty naive and there are parts that get heavy on Chinese pride, but it is good popcorn entertainment.
Audience Reactions
The action sequences were jaw-dropping and reminded me of classic Jackie Chan.: Fans loved the action and the throwbacks to older Jackie Chan movies.
Overall Consensus: A fun but flawed action-comedy, best enjoyed by longtime fans of Jackie Chan who appreciate the over-the-top stunts and humor despite a weak plot.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Jackie Chan set a Guinness World Record for “Most Credits in One Movie” for his work on Chinese Zodiac, fulfilling 15 major roles including director, producer, actor, and fight choreographer.”
- “The film features Jackie Chan’s signature blend of action and comedy, with elaborate stunt sequences performed by Chan himself, despite his age during filming.”
🖥️ How to Watch Chinese Zodiac?
As of today, you can find ‘Chinese Zodiac’ available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video. Availability may vary depending on your region. Check your local listings for streaming options or on-demand availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Chinese Zodiac, you might like these similar films:
- Armour of God (1986): This is the first film in the series, with similar action-adventure themes and Jackie Chan’s signature style.
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): Features an adventurous archaeologist seeking historical artifacts.
- National Treasure (2004): Involves the search for historical treasures with a focus on national heritage.
🛒 Chinese Zodiac Related Products
- Armour of God / Armour of God II: Operation Condor [Blu-ray]: The first two installments in the Armor of God series, providing essential context for Chinese Zodiac. A must-have for die-hard Jackie Chan fans.
- Action Figures – Jackie Chan Collectible Statue: High-quality collectible figure capturing Jackie Chan’s likeness. These figurines are crafted with incredible detail.
- Custom Chinese Zodiac T-Shirt: Show your love for the movie. Made with quality materials, comfortable fit for everyday wear.
- Skatesuit – Body Suit with Roller Blades : Get your own skatesuit and show people at the roller rink how much you love Jackie.
🎧 Soundtrack
Chinese Zodiac features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While marketed as ‘Armour of God III’ in some regions, ‘Chinese Zodiac’ functions as a standalone film. However, it shares thematic similarities with the ‘Armour of God’ series, featuring Jackie Chan as the adventurous Asian Hawk.
The 12 bronze heads represent the animals of the Chinese Zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. These were part of a fountain clock in the Old Summer Palace.
Chinese Zodiac was filmed in multiple locations around the world, including France, China, Vanuatu, and other parts of Asia and Europe, highlighting the film’s globe-trotting adventure.
🔥 Bonus Content
Chinese Zodiac – Jackie Chan The Roller Man.mp4
Remember that crazy roller suit scene from Chinese Zodiac? This clip shows Jackie Chan pulling off some insane stunts! Honestly, it’s wild how he manages to do this, you gotta see it.
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