Kung Fu Yoga

In 647AD India, leader of the elephant legion Arunasva revolts against his ruler Magadha. Magadha sends General Bhima with treasure tributes to guide Wang Xuance back to the Tang Dynasty to request for military assistance. Bhima and his men are lost with the treasure. Wang makes it back to China and returns to India to rout Arunasva. Professor Ashmita is from present day India. She arrives in Xi'an to recruit Chinese archaeology professor Jack Chan (Jackie Chan) to find Bhima and the lost treasure. The group finds the lost army in an ice cave only to be attacked by Randall leading mercenaries. He's trying to clear the name of his rebel ancestor and steal the treasure.

This movie is problematic for several reasons. The action is OK but the movie struggles whenever the action stops. The movie starts with a big CGI battle. It looks too video-gamey. The inferior CGI is excusable but it's not a good start. It's also a lot of exposition to unpack. It doesn't need to be when the audience is willing to follow a lost army without learning the Sino-Indian history.

There are some beautiful people but there are also some limitations on the acting. It doesn't help that the writing gets stale at times. I love Jackie Chan but he should be more Indiana Jones. Starting as a professor with all the tech gadgets make him less appealing. Instead of an action hero, he starts too much as a bookish techie. Then there is the treasure hunt. It goes from one place to another on flimsy excuses. There's no reason why Magadha would send a key to the underground treasure to China. The movie ends in a Bollywood dance off. I understand the attempt but it sucks out any remaining tension. This has the potential of an action adventure but it suffers from ongoing stumbles.

Meandering, aimless plot, bad cgi animals, worse cgi car chase, and campy acting.

Well, not all Bollywood. Not enough dance routine to make that claim ( Unless like me you count Jackie's Kung Fu fighting as dancing)

I herd some Bollywood director was suppose to film it but backed out leaving Chinese cinema veteran Stanley Tong to fill the void. It's a great action adventure film (with a bad title) in what looks like it could be the sequel to Armour of the Gods or Operation Condor (which in America would be considered Armour of the Gods 2).

Jackie Chan plays Jack Chan (Really?) an archaeologist looking for a treasure that connects Chinese and Indian culture, and when he finds it this ultimate Bollywood Archetype comes after him for it.

It's not Jackie at his prime but he's at his best mixing humor with action. You'll See him do little stunts like jump through a luggage carrier with style (most of us half his age can't do that) and you'll see him do some really good old school kung fu moves like he did in Fearless Hyena.

But he's too old to be breaking bones for our enjoyment. Instead, he provides us with typical action movie fluff. Not to say that's bad. There is a car chase in the movie that is pretty fantastic.

This was an excellent return to the Jackie from yesteryear.

Hi Jackie Chan.. Everyone loves you in India.. but please stop acting in lame movies like this. I recommend you to act in next part of rush hour or..even reboot Armor of God franchise.. Please.. we do not expect you to do such low budget bad movies.. this is very disappointing.. this is a really bad movie and a poor choice.. you are a legend.. why would you accept such lame movies? I don't understand this.. please do something new.. Entire world loved Armor of God franchise.. you should make more squeals of that one rather then such dumb movies.. It is really sad to see your reputation going down by poor choices made by you.. please on the love of Jesus.. be vise when you select movies.. we are really waiting for some amazing movies from you as everyone loves you a lot.. please make something cool... thank you..

Kung Fu Yoga was named after the co-production of Indo-Chinese partnership. Of course there is a lot of Kung Fu, but wait a minute where is Yoga? You can't see a bit of Yoga in it.

The movie was good as far as Jackie and the action scenes are concerned. Jackie Chan was excellent in his stunts and comic expressions. He hasn't disappointed his fans and he brings in a surprise dance performance in the item song.

Apart from Jackie nothing works in the movie. Even Jackie Chan's actions are restricted at times. The movie travels from China to India, a bit of Dubai for just one car chase scene. Too much of information are poured in the first 10 minutes of the movie which actually confuses the audience.

Kung fu yoga poster Few minutes into the movie just feels this is not going to be what it should be. The beginning doesn't feel like a beginning, It just starts abruptly which indeed has driven out the excitement in watching the movie.

Sonu Sood who carries the Indian baddie role should have been a bit better. He doesn't feel like a baddie at times. Disha Patani as Jackie's lead is OK. Wearing some high valued ornaments, dresses with fur are the major contribution she delivers. The age old rope tricks, some floating tricks by sadhus might impress few (Does the movie really belongs to 2017?).

The item song which casts the entire cast was one of the few good moments in the movie. It was great and watching Chan dance was extremely pleasing. There are few good moments to wake the sleeping audience.

On the whole the movie is one time watch for family audience.