The Shadow’s Edge is the new hit film proves that Jackie Chan can both handle serious roles and Kung Fu mastery at 71.
Jackie Chan’s latest film has proven a massive success in China – reaching the top slot at the box office charts – and Kung Fu Kingdom can confirm that its quality matches its success.
A Gritty and Serious Role
Featuring the more gritty and serious tone of his recent work, Chan plays a retired tracking expert. He is called out of retirement by the police after their cutting-edge cyber surveillance and AI-powered crime-fighting systems are confounded by an elusive team of thieves.
Although the film is mostly an action/crime drama, it is truly inspiring that Chan, even at the age of 71, still pulls off his legendary Kung Fu skills. Reflecting on this, he has been quoted as saying:
“Aging is a blessing…I’m truly blessed to still be able to perform some action scenes.”
Mentoring the Next Generation
Playing a rookie agent that Chan takes under his wing and mentors is Officer He Qiuguo, played by Zhang Zifeng. Discussing her preparation for the martial arts and action scenes in the film, she said:
“This was my first real action role. I trained for months before filming started, and even during the shoot, I kept practicing. My hands were bruised, but I didn’t want to stop. Jackie kept saying, ‘You’ll thank yourself later.”
It is reported that Chan provided training for many of the actors involved himself. He is said to have particularly praised actor Ci Sha, who plays the young gang leader role:
“He’s like a sponge. He absorbs everything. I showed him one move, and he’d already be adding his own twist to it.”
A Detective-Based Action Thriller
The film is a detective-based action thriller with its roots in the classic Eye in the Sky, and also Chan’s own classic Police Story.
Written and directed by Larry Yang (Ride on, Mountain Cry), and featuring a solid cast, a particular mention must go to the villain and criminal mastermind, played by Fu Longsheng. A great action film must always have an engaging villain, and he plays a villain both intimidating and also tragic, with an interesting emotional arc tied to his adoptive sons, who form the criminal gang.
He also plays well against Chan – there is a standout sequence where they prepare food together, both pretending to be friends but underneath knowing they are deadly enemies.
Old School Meets Modern Tech
The backstory is interesting too, with Chan’s character bringing old-school detective techniques to a world dominated by digital surveillance. Also, despite being 71, he can still pull off impressive action sequences with his signature martial arts skills, obviously very much intact.
Chan’s acting, famed for his many action-comedy roles, is now adapting well to a more serious tone, blending his still impressive physicality with emotional depth.
Technically, the direction, cinematography and score are good, complementing the film’s tension and emotional depth. There are many sequences around the high–tech surveillance theme, and these represent the way that AI, photo recognition, and high-tech systems now dominate security work.
Standout Action and Emotional Depth
The action sequences are inventive, with a spectacular parachute escape sequence a standout. Also, the villain’s expert knife–fighting style that Chan’s cop must counter with his Kung Fu is especially exciting.
The film’s overall style of the clash between old school tactics and modern tech is interesting, but more fascinating is the theme of family loyalty and redemption. The criminal gang is centred around a loyal family structure, with the younger members even calling their leader, ‘Godfather’.
The overall tone is emotionally introspective, even tragic, but there are still moments of Chan’s comedic style. A standout scene has Chan’s character saying he is talking with two bad guys while actually engaging in a fierce Kung Fu battle with them.
A Darker Jackie Chan Film
The film is definitely one to watch if you are a Jackie Chan fan. But be warned, this is not an hour-style cop comedy or buddy drama. It is more a dark and hard-hitting drama with some genuinely affecting, tragic themes.
Jackie Chan’s The Shadow’s Edge – Movie Poster
Trinity CineAsia presents The Shadow’s Edge in UK cinemas from 3rd October.
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