Exciting news for fans: Panda Problem is now out for viewing on VOD and Blu-Ray platforms.
Jackie Chan is renowned globally for his exceptional work as a filmmaker, actor, and stunt performer. Despite the numerous thrilling and captivating moments he has delivered on screen throughout his career, there are still glimpses of brilliance in a less remarkable Chan film like Panda Plan. However, the majority of the movie serves as a reminder of Chan’s past successes: While watching him thwart the kidnapping of a rare panda, my mind wandered to more enjoyable encounters with Chan’s work. Panda Plan invites these comparisons as Chan portrays a caricature of himself, with adversaries often commenting “this is just like your movies” to him, along with a tepid, self-reflective nod to his extensive career. Unfortunately, Panda Plan falls short of the high standards set by classics like Drunken Master and Police Story. It struggles to be anything more than mildly amusing in fleeting moments. The inclusion of a distracting CGI panda further diminishes the physicality brought to the film by the dedicated 70-year-old Chan (who reportedly lost consciousness during a headlock scene).
The movie kicks off with a scene where Chan, in a self-aware manner, battles a group of armed thugs – even before the director yells “cut”, the subpar effects and excessive squibs indicate that this is an intentionally poorly executed action sequence. Amidst checking his schedule between takes, nothing piques Chan’s interest until he is offered the opportunity to adopt a panda. The story then transitions to a remote zoo that lacks the charm and depth of a discounted Jurassic Park set.
An expedited montage provides a brief overview of the zoo’s layout but feels more like a glossy, vacuous advertisement. Chan indulges in some Dairy Queen ice cream, interacts with the compassionate zoo assistant Su Xiaozhu (Shi Ce), and seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself. However, there’s no time for leisure or bonding with his new panda friend as a whimsical group of mercenaries arrives to abduct the panda and deliver it to their vaguely depicted Middle Eastern employer.
The panda effects in the film are unsettling; they make the cat from the even more dreadful Argylle appear like a CGI masterpiece. Despite the cute sounds emitted by the panda, the forced performances centered around a cuddly co-star who is not physically present are glaringly obvious. While practical limitations and ethical concerns restrict the use of a real panda cub on set, any tangible creation would have been preferable to the current CGI iteration. Watching Chan struggle to interact with the effect is cringe-worthy, and considering that Panda Plan heavily relies on the panda’s cuteness, it becomes challenging to emotionally invest in the narrative. The cheap and eerie appearance, coupled with the director’s attempts to keep the panda out of sight, only exacerbate the issue.
Despite the film’s shortcomings, Chan’s enthusiasm warrants recognition. He puts in considerable effort to inject some vitality into this otherwise lackluster production. While he may not possess the agility of his younger years, his expressive acting, particularly through facial expressions, carries the film’s slapstick humor. However, his efforts are marred by the poorly staged and shot action sequences. Unlike Chan’s best works that feature wide-angle shots with minimal edits, Panda Plan constantly cuts away from the action for uninspiring gags and antics, detracting from the scene’s impact. Despite the recurring appearances of the mohawked mercenary leader for confrontations, Panda Plan fails to evolve into an engaging action flick.
As the film approaches its supposed climax where Chan confronts the mastermind behind the panda heist, Panda Plan unravels completely. The final showdown is anticlimactic, which is quite telling considering the lackluster build-up. Furthermore, a peculiar twist during the climax transforms the already shaky narrative into a caricature of itself – attempting to add a serious tone without earning it. Chan’s sheer determination almost salvages some parts of the film, but even he cannot rescue the botched ending. It serves as the unpalatable conclusion to an underwhelming experience, leaving me wishing I had watched the fictitious movie from the opening scene instead. Alternatively, revisiting one of Chan’s superior films would have been a more satisfying choice. Despite Panda Plan’s admiration for Chan’s previous accomplishments, it remains entrenched in their shadows.