Kung Fu Yoga

Jackie Chan returns to the Indiana Jones-inspired adventure comedy of his 1986 hit Armour of God, albeit as an older, more modest archeologist adventurer in this Chinese-Indian co-production. Chan plays Professor Jack Chan, who joins an Indian archeology professor (Disha Patani) to search for a lost treasure using an ancient map. Accompanied by their young teaching assistants and a wily treasure hunter, they set off to the ice-covered mountains of Tibet, where they battle a prince (Sonu Sood) who lays claim to the fortune. The title references the meeting of two cultures: the martial arts of China (as practiced by the men here) and the yoga traditions of India (followed by the women, including a Chinese archeology student). The sprawling story also tosses in a battle in an underground ice cave, a car chase with a roaring lion in the backseat, a pit of hyenas, lots of free-for-all battles with armies of henchmen, plenty of slapstick comedy, and a climactic Bollywood dance number. Chan shows off his talents in some marvelous, cleverly choreographed sequences that showcase his dexterity and comic grace, while the younger stars carry the more acrobatic challenges. Although the stunts are physical, the film leans on digital effects for the animal scenes, car chases, and epic sets. It's big and splashy but also sloppy, and Chan has made better films. Still, this should be considered a strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)