Watch Cz12: Chinese Zodiac
- PG-13
- 2013
- 1 hr 49 min
-
6.0 (24,879)
Cz12, also known as Chinese Zodiac, is a 2012 action-comedy film directed by and starring Jackie Chan. The film follows Chan's character, a world-renowned treasure hunter named Chan Ka-Kui, as he sets off on a quest to retrieve the 12 bronze animal heads of the Chinese zodiac that were looted from the Summer Palace in Beijing during the Second Opium War. Ka-Kui must travel the globe to retrieve the heads before they are auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The film begins with Ka-Kui racing against time to steal a valuable artifact from a heavily guarded French mansion. He succeeds, but is caught in the process and jailed. While in prison, Ka-Kui meets a billionaire collector named Lawrence Morgan (played by Oliver Platt), who offers to pay him to locate and retrieve the lost bronze animal heads. Ka-Kui agrees, but with the added condition that Morgan must help him free his fellow jailed treasure hunters.
The rest of the film sees Ka-Kui and his team traveling to different parts of the world, including Paris, Hong Kong, and the African savanna, in search of the missing heads. Along the way, they encounter a number of obstacles, including rival treasure hunters and corrupt officials. Ka-Kui and his team must use all of their skills and ingenuity to outsmart their enemies and retrieve the priceless artifacts.
The film's action sequences are a standout feature, showcasing Chan's trademark acrobatic fighting style and death-defying stunts. The scenes are choreographed to perfection, with the use of practical effects and minimal CGI to create a more realistic and engaging viewing experience. The film also features some impressive CGI-enhanced sequences, such as a high-speed chase through the streets of Paris and an epic battle on top of a moving train.
In addition to the action, the film also has plenty of humor, thanks to Chan's impeccable comedic timing and the supporting cast's witty banter. Co-star Shu Qi brings some much-needed levity to the film as a fellow treasure hunter and Ka-Kui's love interest. Xingtong Yao also delivers a solid performance as a young acrobat who joins the team and helps them navigate through the African wilderness.
One of the film's underlying themes is the importance of cultural heritage and preservation. Ka-Kui is passionate about retrieving the lost bronze animal heads not only for their monetary value, but also because of their cultural significance to China. The film highlights the need to protect and preserve cultural artifacts and to honor the history and traditions of different cultures.
Overall, Cz12 is an entertaining and action-packed film that showcases Jackie Chan's talent as a filmmaker, actor, and martial artist. The film's combination of humor, action, and cultural themes make it a fun and engaging watch for audiences of all ages.
Cz12: Chinese Zodiac is a 2013 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 29.