How 'Chinese' is the movie? Is it all in English?

It's a multilingual movie. There is a lot of English, but also Mandarin and French. Most versions have subtitles for the non-English parts, so make sure your kid is a fast enough reader to keep up, or be prepared to translate the gist.

Is the violence too much for a 9-year-old?

It's mostly 'theatrical' violence—lots of falling, tripping, and impressive kicks, but very little blood. If they can handle a PG-13 Marvel movie, they can handle this easily.

Why did critics hate it so much?

Critics felt the plot was messy and the CGI was poor compared to Hollywood blockbusters. For a parent, this just means it's 'popcorn entertainment' rather than a masterpiece. It's fun, but forgettable.

Chinese Zodiac – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Chinese Zodiac

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2012

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Jackie Chan's globetrotting stunt-fest is a bit of a mess, but that roller-blade suit sequence is still worth the price of admission.

6/10

25%

45%

→

Chinese Zodiac

movie

PG-13, 2012

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Jackie Chan's globetrotting stunt-fest is a bit of a mess, but that roller-blade suit sequence is still worth the price of admission.

25%

Jump to

Also rated on

6/10

25%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Look, this isn't Jackie Chan's best work—not by a long shot. It's bloated, the CGI is shaky, and the story is basically a clothesline to hang stunts on. But for a family movie night, it's a 'safe' action pick that avoids the grim-dark violence of modern superhero movies.

If you can get past the 25% Rotten Tomatoes score, there's enough physical genius here to keep a pre-teen entertained. Just don't expect Indiana Jones level storytelling. It's a stunt reel with a heart of gold and a very weird roller-skating suit.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10 and up. Younger kids can handle the action, but the 2-hour runtime and political subplots might lead to a mid-movie snooze fest for the under-10 crowd.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It follows a classic adventure-hero template with Jackie Chan's signature slapstick humor, though the mercenary-for-hire premise and some crude jokes keep it from being 'pure' family fare.

Imaginative

The gadgets, specifically the full-body roller-blade suit, and the high-concept stunt choreography are peak Jackie Chan creativity.

Safe

Heavy on martial arts action and stylized violence, but mostly bloodless and played for laughs. No sexual content, but some mild profanity and intense peril in the final act.

Enriching

Offers a decent entry point into the history of the Old Summer Palace looting, but the educational value is secondary to the stunts and thin plot.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Physical comedy that transcends language barriers, making it a great pick for kids who find dialogue-heavy movies boring.
The roller-suit sequence is a masterclass in creative stunt design that will have kids asking 'how did they do that?'
Introduces the concept of cultural heritage and the controversy surrounding stolen artifacts in a way that's easy to digest.
It's a globetrotting adventure that hits France, Australia, and a volcanic island, keeping the visuals fresh.

⚠

What to Watch For

The plot is incredibly thin and some of the acting—especially from the supporting Western cast—is cringeworthy by modern standards.
There's a prolonged fight scene on a sofa that's clever but goes on for a while; some younger viewers might lose interest during the talky bits in between.
The CGI in the final volcano scene has not aged well and looks pretty 'video-gamey' compared to today's standards.

Conversation Starters

"If you found a lost treasure from another country, do you think it belongs to you, the person who found it, or the country it came from?"
"Which of Jackie Chan's stunts looked the most dangerous to you?"
"Why do you think the characters were willing to risk their lives for bronze animal heads?"
"If you could design one 'super-suit' for a getaway, what features would it have?"

Deep Dive

The Jackie Chan Legacy Problem

By 2012, Jackie Chan was already moving into the 'venerable elder' phase of his career, and Chinese Zodiac (also known as CZ12) was marketed as his last 'major' action movie. It’s a sequel of sorts to his Armour of God series, but you don't need to have seen those to follow along. The movie is a weird mix of high-stakes international intrigue and Looney Tunes physics.

The Stunts vs. The Story

If you're watching this, you're watching it for the stunts. The opening sequence involves Jackie escaping a military base while wearing a suit covered in roller-blade wheels. It is objectively cool. The final fight in the air above a volcano is ambitious, even if the green screen work is obvious.

However, the movie struggles with tone. It tries to be a serious commentary on the repatriation of Chinese artifacts while also featuring a scene where a guy gets chased by dogs in a maze. It’s jarring. If your kid is used to the tight, serialized storytelling of the MCU, they might find the pacing here a bit erratic.

Why It Still Works

Despite the flaws, Jackie Chan’s brand of 'nice guy who can fight with a chair' is a refreshing break from the 'invincible brooding hero' trope. It models a version of conflict that is about agility and cleverness rather than just raw power or weaponry. It's a solid choice if you want an action movie that won't give your 11-year-old nightmares, provided you're okay with some light mercenary ethics.

What Parents Ask

Stills

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Chinese Zodiac? Put this WISE score on your site