The last time American audiences saw Jackie Chan, he was sharing the screen with Johnny Knoxville in *Skiptrace*, a film that many found forgettable. Now, the martial arts icon, who is now in his sixties, returns in **Railroad Tigers**, a movie where he both stars and co-produces alongside his son, Jaycee Chan. This project feels like a vanity endeavor, bringing together Chan and his son while also assembling a group of eccentric characters. **Railroad Tigers** proves to be more entertaining than the disappointing *Skiptrace*, though it doesn't offer much in terms of creative innovation. Despite its nostalgic feel and nods to classic films like *Robin Hood*, *The Dirty Dozen*, and *The Magnificent Seven*, the movie doesn’t break new ground. Still, **Railroad Tigers** is enjoyable enough for viewers wanting to see Chan perform his signature chops, kicks, and punches—the trademark tricks of this veteran actor. It's familiar territory for the "Kung-Fu Crown Prince of Pain," but the film moves forward with a Chinese-language action movie that delivers more than it falters. It’s clear that Jackie Chan’s best work is in the past as he continues to experiment while trying to remain relevant in cinema. It's admirable that Chan has maintained his presence on screen, despite having starred in both successful films and box office failures. He reunites for a third time with director Ding Sheng, previously collaborating on *Police Story 2013* and *Little Big Soldier*, this time set against the backdrop of a moving train during wartime. **Railroad Tigers** is essentially a retelling of a familiar story, as predictable as one of Chan's comical physical gags. Time marches on, and even an energetic action star with a mischievous grin can’t defy that reality. While some may long for the youthful energy of Jackie Chan from films like *Supercop*, it’s worth appreciating his efforts to recapture his former glory despite the wear and tear of years in the industry. The story is set in 1941 eastern China, where Ma Yuan (Chan) works as a railroad station porter. He eventually leads a group of rebellious workers who become freedom fighters, aiming to sabotage a Japanese supply train during the Sino-Japanese war to aid their fellow citizens. Their ultimate goal is to destroy the bridge serving as the main route for the train, crippling the Japanese transport system. This mission is incredibly risky, even professional soldiers wouldn't dare attempt it against such powerful forces. Nevertheless, Yuan and his crew embark on what seems like a reckless gamble. The appeal of **Railroad Tigers** lies in the combination of Chan’s trademark clumsiness and expertly choreographed fight sequences alongside his quirky supporting cast. Writer-director Sheng takes some time to develop the humor and eccentric characters before fully unleashing the film's wackiness, including Jaycee Chan as one of the unconventional participants. The other actors also contribute effectively to the comedic tone, featuring Darren Wang as a Chinese soldier providing intelligence on Japanese operations, Wang Kai as a noodle vendor/sharpshooter, Alan Ng as a pickpocket, Xu Fan as Xing’er (who has a crush on Ma), and Huang Zitao as a tailor. The film also includes Hiroyuki Ikeyuchi as the villainous Japanese military enforcer Yumaguchi and Zhang Luxin as his accomplice, Yuko. Ultimately, **Railroad Tigers** delivers what audiences expect: impressive stunt work, amusing antics from Chan, and nods to classic train heist films and wartime stories. While the film may be frivolous, it's a welcome distraction—would you rather see a sequel to *Skiptrace*? That’s all the justification needed. **Railroad Tigers** 2 hrs. 5 mins. Starring: Jackie Chan, Jaycee Chan, Zitao Huang, Kai Wang, Darren Wang, Hiroyuki Ikeyuchi, Zhang Lanxin, Alan Ng, Zhang Yishang, Fan Xu, Sang Ping, Wang Ta Lu Directed by: Ding Sheng Written by: Ding Sheng and He Ke Ke Distributed by: Well Go USA Entertainment, Beijing Sparkle Roll Media, Shanghai Film Group Co., JQ Pictures LTD. Producers: Jackie Chan, Qi Jian Hong, Ren Zhong Hun, Song Ge. Joe Tam MPAA Rating: NR Genre: Comedy/Action & Adventure/Martial Arts Critic's rating: ** stars (out of 4 stars) (c) Frank Ochieng 2017

Source on TMDB