You are currently displaying English
神話 (2005)
The Myth


Reviewed by: cal42
Date: 11/01/2009
Summary: Flashes of brilliance, but that's about all...

Jack (Jackie Chan) is an archaeologist plagued with recurring dreams of being a general in Qin dynasty China, escorting the Emperor’s new concubine Ok Soo (Kim Hee-Sun) through hostile territory. During his waking hours, Jack and his friend William (Tony Leung Ka-Fai) search an Indian tomb for a device that can counteract the laws of gravity. While there, Jack finds evidence that his dreams may in fact be his past life, and that the princess may have been real.

THE MYTH is a nice idea that is quite badly executed.

The film is split into two timelines – Qin dynasty China (where Chan is bizarrely dubbed for his Mandarin lines unless I’m very much mistaken) and present day Hong Kong. It soon becomes apparent that the period scenes just don’t work on any level and soon become increasingly irritating. When you think of Jackie Chan, you don’t immediately think of period epics, and this looks like someone thought it would be a good idea to jump on the HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS bandwagon.

On the other hand, the modern day thread is surprisingly entertaining. Tony Leung Ka-Fai plays a good stooge to Chan and their banter is favourably reminiscent of the ARMOUR OF GOD dynamic between Chan and Alan Tam. Furthermore, one of the more successful sequences of the film involves Mallika Sherawat and a glue factory. It’s a scene that is forced and contrived and has every sight gag clearly signposted, but is no less fun for it. In fact, it’s classic Chan from beginning to end.

The problem is that these flashes of entertainment never last long enough. Both the Tony Leung character and Sherawat’s character are dispensed with just when you’re getting into the fun and you’re thrown back into the story, which is frankly not that interesting. As with a lot of Jackie Chan films made from the 90s onwards, the story has great ambition but ends up being messy and confused. A villain is introduced later in the film and I’m still a little hazy as to what he’s doing there.

It’s not just the garbled plotting that causes problems. There is some truly awful CGI work in this film, particularly when it comes to shots of horses fighting each other. Whoever thought that these shots could work needs to be kicked out of the business right now – it sounds like the bright idea of a sugared-up eight-year-old kid. There are also problems in the script department, and the age-old problem of a Chinese (and Indian) cast speaking English crops up yet again, with portions of dialogue being quite hard to understand. There’s also a speech given by Tony Leung that just makes me cringe. He’s talking about myths, and says that a hundred years ago, landing on the moon was just a myth. Erm, no. Landing on the moon was a dream, an aspiration, but not a myth because nobody had claimed to have done it yet. I’m prepared to concede that this is a translation problem and just one of those language quirks that are hard to get around, but it still sounds totally boneheaded.

To sum up, THE MYTH is not terribly great - and at just over two hours in length, it’s also noticeably bloated. Which is a terrible shame as it has some really fun elements and a couple of great scenes. I’ve always said that Jackie Chan films work best on a smaller scale, and this is a classic example of what happens when you try to add too many ingredients to the pot. And it’s getting quite funny when characters refer to Mr Chan as “young man” without a trace of irony. And is it just me, or does Tony Leung Ka-Fai look confusingly similar to Ken Lo? And does the book at the end really have “The Mnth” written on the cover?

Reviewer Score: 5

Reviewed by: Chungking_Cash
Date: 01/13/2008

What is frustrating, ironic, and sad about a Jackie Chan film backed solely by Chinese funding whose trademark outtakes are largely comprised of green screen footage? So, where's the hook?

Reviewer Score: 5

Reviewed by: j.crawford
Date: 01/10/2008

This is a review of the English language American version of The Myth released in the US as "Jackie Chan’s The Myth". The DVD presents a Cantonese soundtrack and an English-dubbed soundtrack that makes some of the performers sound a little disconcerting.

As a cinema patron, I enjoy films that fit into the 90 minute format. Anything more than 95-100 minutes is far too long. I can’t handle 2 hours movies and 2:20 is just something I’m not going to sit through. In the comfort of my living room, I’ll watch those longer films and the pause/fast-forward button on the remote may get heavy use if things start to drag. Regarding Jackie Chan’s films, I’ve been less than satisfied with his recent Hollywood sojourn. When The Myth was originally released it was too long for me. I was glad Chan was back working with one of his best directors and, importantly, away from “Hollywood”.

This English version is real good. Chan and Tong have managed to capture some of the spirit and goodness of Chan’s Armour of God/Operation Condor films. The story is tight, fast moving and compelling. The casting of “big” Tony Leung is sheer genius. His subtle comedy is a nice juxtaposition to Chan’s comedic antics and facial mugging. The action set pieces in this are as inventive, entertaining and better than anything Chan has done in the last decade. One of my favorite cinematographers, Horace Wong Wing-Hang brought his “A” game to this project. The film looks great; the colors are so beautiful.

[En español] Este es un examen de idioma Inglés de la versión americana de El Mito en libertad en los EE.UU. como "Jackie Chan's The Myth". El DVD presenta una banda sonora y un cantonés Inglés-apodada banda sonora que hace que algunos de los artistas intérpretes o ejecutantes sonar un poco desconcertante.

Como patrón de cine, disfruto de las películas que caben en el formato de 90 minutos. ¿Algo más de 95-100 minutos es demasiado tiempo. No puedo manejar 2 horas y 2:20 películas es sólo algo que yo no voy a sentarse a través de. En la comodidad de mi sala de estar, yo ya ver esas películas y la pausa / avance rápido botón en el mando a distancia puede obtener un uso intensivo si las cosas comienzan a arrastrar. En cuanto a las películas de Jackie Chan, que he sido menos que satisfecho con su reciente estancia Hollywood. Cuando El mito fue publicado originalmente era demasiado largo para mí. Me alegró volver Chan fue trabajar con uno de sus mejores directores y, sobre todo, fuera de la "Hollywood".

Esta versión es real Inglés buenas. Chan y Tong han logrado la captura de algunos de espíritu y la bondad de Chan de la Armadura de Dios / Operación Cóndor películas. La historia es apretado, de movimiento rápido y convincente. El elenco de "grandes" Tony Leung es puro genio. Su sutil comedia es una bonita yuxtaposición a Chan y el cómico payasadas facial mugging. Las medidas establecidas en el presente son piezas como inventiva, divertida y nada mejor que Chan ha hecho en la última década. Una de mis favoritas cine, Horace Wong Wing-Hang trajo a su "A" juego a este proyecto. La película luce muy bien, los colores son tan bellos.

[En français] Il s'agit là d'une critique de la langue anglaise version américaine de The Myth publiés aux États-Unis comme "Jackie Chan The Myth". Le DVD présente une bande son en cantonais et en anglais baptisée bande sonore qui rend certains des artistes interprètes ou exécutants sonores un peu déconcertant.

En tant que mécène du cinéma, j'aime les films qui s'inscrivent dans le format de 90 minutes. Rien de plus que 95-100 minutes est beaucoup trop long. Je ne peux pas faire 2 heures de films et de 2:20 est juste quelque chose que je ne vais pas passer à travers. Dans le confort de mon salon, je vais regarder les films de long et de la pause / avance rapide sur la télécommande peut obtenir une utilisation massive si les choses commencent à traîner. En ce qui concerne les films de Jackie Chan, que j'ai été moins satisfaits de son récent séjour à Hollywood. Quand Le mythe était à l'origine sorti il était trop long pour moi. J'ai été ravi de travail Chan est de retour avec un de ses meilleurs réalisateurs, et surtout, à l'écart de "Hollywood".

Cette version française est vraiment bien. Chan et Tong ont réussi à capturer une partie de l'esprit et la bonté de Chan's Armour of God / Opération Condor films. Le récit est tendu, mouvement rapide et convaincante. Le casting de "gros" Tony Leung est pur génie. Son humour subtil est une belle juxtaposition de Chan comédie antics faciaux et les vols avec agression. L'action définis dans cette pièce sont les inventif, divertissant et mieux que rien Chan a fait dans la dernière décennie. L'un de mes cinéastes préférés, Horace Wong Wing-Hang a porté son "A" jeu à ce projet. Le film est impeccable, les couleurs sont si belles.

happyfortune.org

Reviewer Score: 7

Reviewed by: dandan
Date: 09/25/2006
Summary: very mythappointing...

well, as much as i love jackie chan, he's just not suited to this role, of film, at all. one of jackie's greatest assets is his own sense of fun, something that usually comes out in his films and is very endearing. obviously jackie's other major attributes are his martial arts and gymnastic prowess; even at his age, he shows that he can still move extremely well and choreograph some very high quality sequences, but unfortunately there are some very poor cgi effect used in tandem which really cheapen several sections of the film. there is some absolutely dreadful stuff here.

as for the plot, well i didn't really mind it all that much, sure it's a bit far fetched but i'm willing to forgive, although it does rather fall flat on it's pretentions of being an epic. overall, this film is a big mess: an overly-complicated narrative, some terrible cgi effects, a complete lack of charm and humour combined with delusions of grandeur.

on a more positive note, there's some very good sequences with jackie doing his stuff and there is a couple of reasonable bits of cgi thrown in too.


Reviewed by: MrBooth
Date: 01/31/2006
Summary: over-reaches in places, but surprisingly good overall

Has there ever been a film that attempts as many different things as THE MYTH? Can a historical epic really marry with light science-fiction? Can antigravity and reincarnation exist in the same film? THE MYTH proves that they can, and even throws in bits of romantic melodrama, kung fu comedy and Bollywood-style dancing on top of that!

Jackie Chan plays Jack, an archeologist who has recurring dreams where he's a general in the Qin dynasty on a mission to escort a Korean princess to be his emperor's concubine. Probably the sort of thing archeologists dream about all the time, but Jack feels that these dreams are a bit more than random brain activity. His physicist friend (Tony Leung) enlists Jack's help to investigate the myth of a Qin emperor whose tomb alledgedly floated in the air after his death. "It's just a myth", Jack opines... but something compels him to join the mission.

The film flits back and forth between the present day and the Qin dynasty, with Jackie playing a character in each time period. The transitions are quite nicely done, developing the story at both ends in a pleasing way. The story, it must be admitted, is a bit daft - Stanley Tong is not a great writer, but you have to admire his inventiveness and ambition. THE MYTH could easily have been turned into 2 or 3 decent films, but he decided he was going to cram everything into one.

This ambition does lead to a few scenes that seem a bit out of place - including, it must be admitted, some of the fight scenes. For the most part, the film is free of comedy - in fact it can be very melodramatic - but then a fight scene will start, and all of a sudden it's the trademark Jackie Chan kung fu comedy schtick. Whilst the choreography and execution are superlative, the shift in tone is quite jarring - particularly because Jackie seems to instantly change character. This only affects the fights in the modern day sections - the period parts feature some really impressive battle scenes with many an extra and a fair amount of gore (the influence of MUSA and HERO is definitely felt on those parts). Although the comical fight scenes were amusing and entertaining, this maybe wasn't the right place for them - I think the film would have worked better overall if they had been played straight.

Ambition is probably to blame for THE MYTH's other main flaw - some really dodgy CGI. The clips with fighting horses that were in the trailer are (thankfully) as bad as it gets, but there's some other places where the special effects do not look natural. It seems that Stanley Tong failed to learn anything from Michelle Yeoh's THE TOUCH, as the finale attempts a similarly CGI-heavy action spectacle... thankfully it's not quite as badly implemented as THE TOUCH, but it still doesn't have the impact it was probably meant to (and a good old fashioned brawl would have done).

Apart from these criticisms, however, I found THE MYTH to be of well above average entertainment value. Jackie iand Stanley are both to be commended for trying something different, and mostly succeeding. The supporting cast deserve a mention too, with doe-eyed Kim Hee-Sun being stunningly beautiful and busty Malika Sherawat being cheekily sexy, Yu Rong Guang having a small but satisfying role (essentially a reprisal of his part in MUSA), Leung Ka-Fai carrying his character well and mainland actor Sun Zhou putting in a majestic performance when he enters the tale. There is some very satisfying action and at least elements of the story which make for good (melo)drama.

Personally, I thought THE MYTH was a better film than NEW POLICE STORY, and Jackie's best for several years. I hope Jackie will consider doing another film that's purely historical, and excise the comedy completely - THE MYTH shows that he's still got it in him to produce another masterpiece before he dies.

Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: mrblue
Date: 12/27/2005

Jackie Chan's last few films haven't with that much success, either from critics or fans. Unfortunately, The Myth isn't going to do anything to stop the seemingly inevitable decline of Jackie Chan's mega-star status. To its' credit, the movie looks great and there are quite a few action sequences, several of which are up to Jackie's usual high standards.

Sadly, though, most everything else falls flat, starting with the film's pacing. Clocking in at over two hours, The Myth feels much too long for a Jackie Chan movie, especially since there are several scenes and characters that could have easly been lost in the editing room. There's also some really lousy CGI displayed here, most noticeably during some of the stunts, which tend to kill both the excitement of the stunt itself and the momentum of the scenes surrounding it.

More damningly, there's just no soul displayed during the proceedings (which is a bit ironic, since the plot concerns an archeologist who keeps having dreams about a past life). There's just simply very little of the fun or thrills one expects from a Jackie Chan project. After seeing this and efforts like The Medallion and The Tuxedo, one has to seriously wonder just how long Jackie Chan can keep working in the business. For someone that has long been promoted as one of the toughest guys working in action films, it seems like an injury wonit kill him, but the embarassment of appearing in sub-standard efforts like The Myth just might.

[review from www.hkfilm.net]

Reviewer Score: 4

Reviewed by: Sydneyguy
Date: 12/19/2005
Summary: Long movie, obvious special effects, a large cast

The first thing i have to say is that there is more blood in this movie than most other Jackie Chan movies. How often does Jackie make 2 hour movies?

i applauded JAckie Chan for including India in this movie, it was the best part of the movie by far. Mallika Sherawat is stunning and the action is classic Jackie at his best.

The flashbacks, unless they were fighting, was slow and boring.I know they had to show the relationship between Jackie and the Princess, but couldnt they make it a little more believeable?A 50 year old Jackie with a young Princess, Jackie it's not very beleiveable especially since it happens so often with your newer movies.

Special effects is a little overdone but also obvious that it is all digital effects.

I was suprised by the minor roles cast like PAtrick Tam and Yu Rong-Guang which was a good inclusion.Tony Leung doesnt seem to do much in this movie and cruises in his role.

OVerall, a little too long, some vintage Jackie Chan but it doesnt save this movie from being average, especially with the obvious special effects used

6/10

Reviewer Score: 6

Reviewed by: Gwai_Lo
Date: 12/01/2005
Summary: Not one of Jackie's best

I liked the transitions between the old and the new (especially the one where you see the horse's face fade into the mouse) but nothing ever thoroughly developed. It's like taking half of "Hero" and crossing it with "Who Am I?" then throwing in a nod to Bollywood. Don't get me wrong, I thought that Mallika Sherawat was just a total knockout (no pun intended) in this movie, but she was the real shining star in the film and couldn't have had more than 15-20 minutes of screen time. Kim Hee-Sun was just background eye candy compared to this girl's screen presence, even though Kim had twice her on-screen time.

Jackie was just his ol' butt-kicking self, though it seemed like he has lost some of his old mischievousness, leaving it for the most part up to Tony Leung. Though the whole glue scene was just priceless.

Overall, a 6/10, 4 of which come from Mallika and 2 of which come from Jackie being back in action in HK.

Reviewer Score: 6

Reviewed by: AkiraRus
Date: 10/26/2005
Summary: Another disappointment

The movie is splitted into two parts and they fit each other like butter and water - modern part is fast, sunny and, sadly, stupid and period part is very serious, dramatic and, more sadly, pathetic. The only good point is the fight on the conveyer with a glue - it's fast, funny, fresh and sexy.
5/10


Reviewed by: bkasten
Date: 10/26/2005
Summary: Wonderful, mostly

I am not sure how one can come away from this film and not absolutely and thoroughly enjoy it. And while this is probably true, more or less, of all of JC's films made in HK, this one may have the least qualifications of any in recent memory--including New Police Story.

First of all, JC calls upon good 'ole Big Tony Leung--a world class dramatic actor who has proven himself repeatedly over the years--as his side kick. And it works very well. They have good on-screen chemistry. Tony even does some nice action sequence work; and, as usual, is great at making fun of himself. JC getting Big Tony to come along for the ride adds a huge dose of credibility to this film.

Second, there seems to be a limit on the number of hams in the film. Hams have plagued most of JC's international films since the early 90's. But fortunately, all of the actors in this film are good, and all the performances are believeable. And I believe this stems from all characters in the movie speaking Chinese--including the voluptuous Mallika Sherawat--who, I might add, in no way hams it a la the ghastly Michelle Ferre of "Who am I" infamy. In fact, the action sequence with her and JC is absolutely classic!

Thirdly, the perfectly gorgeous Korean actress Kim Hee-Sun as the primary (and typically underaged) love interest of JC is atypically believeable. The story that drives their getting together makes far more sense than other situations where JC "gets the girl" (Vivian Hsu, Shu Qi, et al.). Basically, one sees the events unfold and asks "how could she not fall for this guy"?

Oh, and best of all? This is a period film--or rather has period elements. In fact, it's also Wuxia. Yes, JC in Wuxia! It's been a long time. But JC belongs in period films now more than ever...and here he plays a heroic general assigned to protect a princess! And he plays it to the nines in a role probably more serious and believeable than any he has ever played!

Of course the film's romanticism is way over the top. But for Wuxia fans, this is not only completely acceptable, but de rigeur...and, in fact, the point at which this film reaches heights of true greatness is in the epic Wuxia battle and romance scenes where JC plays the uber-hero general in a way that he hasn't done in decades...and I might also add that he somewhat becomes the uber-hero that he truly is in real life to Chinese, and Chinese cinema fans. To see JC in a period era where he really lets loose almost makes me weep, it is so fun to watch. In fact, JC becomes old school Ti Lung for a sequence in what could be homage to a Chang Cheh bloodbath, as JC nearly defeats an entire army and dies to the thoroughly despicible enemy general well played by the great Yu Rongguang (who also was born to play in period/Wuxia films).

The story that holds everything together, and frames the Wuxia sequences, is not altogether bad, but someone certainly needs to get in and do some editing to make it more cohesive. The ending could be a bit better as well. The trademark of a JC film throwing everything in but the kitchen sink is thoroughly evident here.

Lastly, the one aspect of the film that is truly detracting, without any doubt, is the CGI. It's noticeably bad in spots. But, still, the main thrust of the film, and the truly great moments tend to overcome this problem. (It's essentially three short moments of sighing in the film.)

This is not a film to be compared with the great JC directed films of the 80's. But in this new era of JC's career, this is most certainly his best performance overall. And it definitely makes one appreciate that JC has a future in playing these uncompromised heroic roles.

Cheng Long huan ying ni hui xiang gang lai. Women dou zhen xiang nian ni le!

Welcome back to HK, Jackie. We missed you!

Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: leepifer
Date: 10/21/2005
Summary: Classical blockbusters

let's say it:it is a good and big film for which you'll spend a good time,watching a spectacular 2 hours show with many production
values,acceptables FXs,beautiful actress and Jackie Chan action style!

There are 2 stories in the movie but both aren't equals.
I really enjoyed the "ancient" part,discovering Jackie Chan in a way he didn't much explores:wu xia pian.

Jackie's maybe "old",he's still good enough to execute some fast and furious moves with a sword!And i think he managed well the FX in those fight scenes:not too much to keep the action tough.
He makes a good job as an actor,giving a classical but efficient characterization to this righteous General.And even the romance fits well to the story,enough to give little credit to the "emotion" part when the General fights alone against all !

Maybe it could be a whole film...

Because the "modern" part is too weak to make this film a "great" film!
You just watch again the formulas you saw in "Accidental spy" and these kind of flicks.There's a good rythm but action scenes aren't enough exciting to enhance the story.And Leung Ka Fai was almost wasted in a minor role,but the alchemy with Jackie saves his presence.

So when you are in the modern part,you wait for the(well done)transitions to follow the General adventures...

One part is very good in the modern one:India.
Even if you have nothing new in it,it might recall "Armor of God" and you have typicals Chan' subjects like the respect of culture and cicilisation,knowledge and transmission of the "master"...
The Indian actress is cool and "whoa"...she dances well !
Action scenes are fun and highly executed but a little too short.
Maybe if they had focused more plot in this part,it should have been more dynamic for the whole film...

Anyway,you won't annoy during the film you can watch with your parents or your children but this is not the Jackie's one to rewatch again and again!

I think it is a good international cinema product to export HK films as "Kung fu Hustle","7 swords" or Johnnie To and Chen Kaige stuffs.

An industry needs industrials products to make rise her qualities all over the world;and Jackie is still one of the base of this industry(HK + China).
I'll give 6/10 for this one.


Reviewed by: Brian Thibodeau
Date: 10/03/2005
Summary: Much of what you love. Some of what you don't

THE MYTH is a typical, by-now-patented Jackie Mix® of gag-filled fights, cornball period melodrama, hamfisted plotting to accommodate two attractive, fawning female co-stars and inconsistent pacing. Plus, the visual effects that are helping the 51-year-old Chan pull off his feats of daring are becoming increasingly obvious, at least in the first two-thirds of the film. This is normally not a bad thing, since everybody know's he's not crazy enough to do what he did 15 to 20 years ago, but as the effects are clearly INTENDED to make us think the stunts are completely real, their visible nature only makes one wish he'd just surrender himself to the CG world once and for all like most action stars.

Thankfully, that's EXACTLY what he does during the film's stunning final 20 minutes, set inside an ethereal, computer-rendered, gravity-deficient Imperial burial chamber (for which thousands of real-life buried terracotta warrior statues were only a diversion, according to the film's plot), as Chan, concubine Kim Hee-sun, Big Tony Leung and an assortment of bad guys led by Shao Bing indulge in some fanciful, gravity-defying fights on and around thousands of silent, FLOATING Qin Dynasty soldiers, horses and wagons protecting an enormous staircase leading to the Emperor's burial palace. The CG work in this sequence is exceptionally well done, although Chan purists will still likely balk that they were used at all, and yet, for once, the story in a Jackie Chan film builds to a sequence that simply couldn't be done justice by on-set props and wires.

Early on in the film, there's a giddy fight pitting Chan and Secondary Babe® Mallika Sherawat against the cops on a sticky conveyor belt in an Indian rat glue factory that effortlessly transports the viewer back to Chan's heydey in the mid-80's to early 90's. Indeed, barring the ending, which could leave viewers excited or indifferent depending on their overall tolerance for Hong Kong cinema and Chan in particular (personally, I loved it), THIS fight will probably be considered one of Chan's most entertaining concoctions in recent years, as the combatants lose more and more clothes to the glue beneath their feet!

There's also a decent battle early on when Chan and Leung, searching for the groundbreaking secret to levitation, disturb an ancient, floating Indian sarcophagus that sham holy men have apparently been using for decades to convince the commoners they have Divine powers, the exposure of which leads to a fun donnybrook in, on and around the fallen casket.

The performances from a diverse ethnic cast are on on par with those seen in other recent Hong Kong productions starring Chan, like Accidental Spy and Who Am I, among others: sincere but forgettable. Korea's Kim Hee-sun is given a relatively thankless role, suprisingly reminiscent of her performance in BICHUNMOO, that requires her to do little to do apart from fawn over protector Chan and scream his name in watery-eyed fear with the onslaught of each new set of foes, while India's Mallika Sherawat, hardly Kim's equal in acting, walks away with a far more memorable and spicy performance, no small thanks to Chan including her in the film's fanciful Indian market chase and fight sequence, one of the highlights prior to the final reel.

It's likely THE MYTH will face trims if it's to garner serious theatrical play outside of China and Hong Kong, the markets for which it was largely intended. Tighter cohesion is necessary. The presence of the girls will give it a shelf like in Korea and India and greater Asia, and it's certainly better, and more heartfelt, than some of Chan's recent offerings like WHO AM I? and THE ACCIDENTAL SPY (though nowhere close to NEW POLICE STORY), but it seems more likely headed to a premium DVD release on North American shores.

Reviewer Score: 7

Reviewed by: evirei
Date: 10/03/2005
Summary: By far the worst Jackie Chan movie ever.

The Myth started it's show with Jackie taking the role of a Jeneral being sent by the emperor of the Qin dynasty to receive and protect the princess of korea which will be the new wife to the emperor. Soon, some korean nationals lead by their general (a guy whom the princess was suppose to marry at the first place) came and try to rescue the princess. Then comes this fight between the general and Jackie at this cliff where the princess was sitting inside the horse carriage dangling while jackie and the general each tie a rope to their body to prevent the princess from falling while fighting (which was simply ridiculous and not to mention fake. For god's sake, the princess can't even jump out of the carriage and save herself?). Jackie manage to win the fight and save the princess and fell from the cliff into the river and Jackie soon woke up from his dream.

Jackie in present life was known as Jack is an archaeologist and he is staying on a cool house in a ship. One day his pal, William (Tony) came and visited him. He came to find Jackie's help to solve a scientific problem on how to make object floats on earth. Tony then persuade Jackie to go to Dasar, a place where there's a coffin of a prince which is floating in the middle of the air. While raiding the the tomb, Jackie found the korean princess's drawing in the grave and a sword (which was not explained in the movie). I hate it when they just cut and paste everything without a reason and expecting the audience who have no knowledge about chinese history and expecting them to understand. Jackie and Tony then run for their life. Tony manage to escape while Jackie fall off the cliff and was saved by Malika.

Jackie then wake up at Malika's place and was brought to meet Malika's uncle which was a guru which then enlights Jackie a lot about his past and his present stuff. There were this fight scene which doesn't ring a bell when the guru asked one of his disciples to fight with Jackie. Jackie then start to thinks back and it flashes back to his past era. Then it goes on with some cat and mouse chase.

After coming back to Hong Kong, Tony finally knew who has been secretly funding him on his research, someone whom his ethics was not fond by Jackie, his master who raid tombs. In order to continue this research, Tony helps Jackie to find out "the myth". When they came to this waterfall. Long story cut short, Jackie ramp in and was hurt and being save by the korean princess. Yeap the korean princess, whom actually ate the medicine of eternity life. Tony and Jackie's master soon came and well, what's new in Jackie movies other than fight fight fight... float float float due to the whole place was being placed with meteorite which manage to support the whole kingdom in the air.

The verdict on this movie? By far the worst Jackie Chan movie ever. No doubt there were a lot of visual effects but they were done badly and some were just plain too obvious and fake. The story has a lot of loop holes, Director or scriptwriter didn't take the effort to link everything together assuming audience who walk in to the cinema has great knowledge in chinese history. Till now I still can't figure out how come the Dasar prince grave was floating in the air since the metoerite was found my the Qin emperor and he was so secretive about the stone. But well, I can proudly say that there's one new break through in the movie. At least Jackie Chan did die in the movie for once, even though it was in his past life.

Rating: 4 1/2 out of 10

Reviewer Score: 4