A Legend

In 'A Legend,' director Stanley Tong reunites with action icon Jackie Chan for a frosty, fantastical adventure that feels like a nostalgic throwback to their classic 90s collaborations, yet with a modern cinematic sheen. The film hooks you immediately with its intriguing premise: an archaeologist, Professor Li (Jackie Chan), is haunted by dreams of a mysterious jade pendant, which he then discovers mirrored in relics from a melting glacier. This sets him and his diverse team on a perilous expedition into the icy unknown, where reality and ancient myth begin to blur. The plot is a straightforward but effective adventure engine, driving the characters from one spectacular set piece to the next within the breathtaking, treacherous landscape of the glacier's interior. Stanley Tong's direction is assured, especially in orchestrating the film's impressive action sequences and leveraging the stunning, often surreal, production design of the underground world. Jackie Chan, while in a more restrained, mentor-like role compared to his peak, brings a gravitas and warmth that grounds the film. Zhang Yixing provides solid support as a younger team member, and the ensemble cast works well together, selling the camaraderie essential for this genre. The visual effects are largely impressive, creating a sense of awe and scale, though they occasionally dip into uneven territory. The score effectively amplifies the sense of wonder and danger. At 129 minutes, the pacing is generally brisk, though it sags slightly in the middle with exposition. Ultimately, 'A Legend' succeeds as a fun, visually captivating adventure that prioritizes spectacle and heart over narrative complexity.