Little Big Soldier - DVD

Film: Jackie Chan is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars of Asian cinema. Having also worked successfully in Hollywood on and off in recent years, he now returns to his roots in a very entertaining way with "Little Big Soldier". Shot at great expense in China, the film takes viewers back to 227 B.C., a time when China was still divided into several hostile kingdoms.

After a fierce battle between the kingdoms of Wei and Liang, there are only two survivors: an aging Liang soldier (Jackie Chan), who is merely alive because he has given himself up for dead, and a young Wei general (Leeholm Wang). The old soldier manages to capture his young opponent, hoping to collect a lot of ransom for him and thus buy his way out of future war missions. But what he doesn't suspect is that the young general is guarding a secret that makes him a danger to the Wei Empire. And so Prince Wen (Steve Yoo) and his hit squad hunt the general, who must join forces with his enemy to survive this adventure...

"Little Big Soldier" skillfully blends elements of historical war and adventure films with those of the classic buddy comedy. So it is the moments between the mismatched and actually hostile soldiers that make this film so entertaining. Even though Chan does relatively little fighting here - he does, after all, play a soldier who tries to avoid every fight whenever possible - he still offers his fans exactly what they love and appreciate about him.

Because even if there are some dramatic moments, through which the characters are given a little more depth than that was the case with many other Jackie Chan films, it is the action interludes and the sometimes pleasantly self-deprecating humor that show Chan at his best. Besides that, the adventure movie can also convince with a great set and impressive crowd scenes. Also the camera work, which gives the viewer some great images, has to be praised. But all this wouldn't weigh much if the chemistry between the main actors wasn't right.

But Jackie Chan and Leehom Wang ("Danger and Desire") harmonize perfectly with each other, which saves the movie over many a length and dramaturgical weakness. All this makes "Little Big Soldier" a good entertainment film for all fans of Jackie Chan, which can not only convince in terms of action, but also offers the viewer something for the eye. Worth seeing!

Picture + Sound: Since the final product was not available for the test, no final rating can be given here about the technical implementation of the film.

Extras: Also the bonus material is missing on the press DVD, which is why a rating must also be omitted in this point. Announced are a making of, a featurette on Chan's visit to the 2010 Berlinale, an image gallery and the film's trailer.

Conclusion: "Little Big Soldier" works as a war epic, a historical adventure film and a buddy comedy. Buoyed by a commanding Jackie Chan, the $25 million production does more than just please visually. Together with 50 minutes of extras, this DVD premiere becomes a must for all fans of Jackie Chan, who want to see their idol once again in top form.

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp