Review: The Medallion 2 – Explosive Action, But Missing the Old Soul
Score: 6.5/10
In 2003, “The Medallion” (also known as “Chiec Huy Hieu” in Vietnam) brought audiences Jackie Chan at his peak: deadly acrobatics, clever humor mixed with supernatural elements, and a message about friendship that transcends the boundaries of life and death. Now, more than two decades later, the sequel “The Medallion 2” returns with the promise of “action like never before”. But does it retain the appeal of its predecessor, or is it just an overly commercialized adventure? After watching it in theaters, I have to say: the movie is good, but not enough to touch the heart.
The story continues directly from the first part, with the character Eddie Yang (Jackie Chan, now 71 years old but still “old” and stylish) being revived thanks to the legendary medal. This time, Eddie faces off against a global secret organization, led by a new villain, played by Jason Statham – a British agent with rippling muscles and a “fatal” half-smile. Together with his old sidekick (Claire Forlani returns, looking surprisingly youthful), Eddie embarks on a global chase from Hong Kong to London, then the Nevada desert, where the badge now not only grants superhuman strength but also opens interdimensional portals. The new director’s script (Gordon Chan collaborating with a Hollywood screenwriter) tries to balance Marvel-style superhero elements with Jackie’s traditional martial arts style, but at times it stumbles, cramming in so many plot twists that the audience has to stop to catch their breath.

The biggest highlight, of course, is the action. Jackie Chan is no longer as jumpy as he was in his 30s, but he’s wiser: the fight scenes now incorporate sophisticated CGI technology, creating “wow” moments like Eddie “flying” through Shanghai skyscrapers or a duel on the Eurostar with Statham. The special effects work by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) deserves praise – not as flashy as “Fast & Furious” but still retaining Chan’s signature authenticity and humor. The soundtrack, with the participation of Hans Zimmer, also boosts the tempo, especially in the climax in the desert, where the badge literally “explodes”.
The acting is… solid, but not groundbreaking. Jackie Chan is still the soul of the film, with witty lines like “I’m old, but the badge is not” that make the audience laugh out loud. Jason Statham does a good job as the villain, providing a cool counterpoint to Chan’s silliness, but his character lacks depth – like a carbon copy of Statham himself in “The Expendables.” Claire Forlani is a bit bland, playing mostly an “ex-lover” to support the emotional plot, which is the weakest part of the film. Overall, the supporting cast (including a few new faces from Asia like Wu Jing) adds color, but the script doesn’t give them much room to work.
The biggest problem with “The Medallion 2” is that it tries to “upgrade” too much. The first part succeeded because of its simplicity: a small story about friendship and loyalty, wrapped up in a lively 90 minutes. The second part runs for 2 hours, crammed with superheroes, global conspiracies and even a little sci-fi (the badge is now linked to AI?), making the film sometimes feel more like a long trailer than a full movie. The humor is there, but less subtle, and the message of “true power lies in the heart” is overshadowed by flashy CGI explosions.
In short, “The Medallion 2” is an ideal weekend entertainment for action fans – especially if you love Jackie Chan and want to see him make a big comeback. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s enough to stir up nostalgia for the days when Hong Kong movies dominated the screen. If you’re looking for nostalgia mixed with adrenaline, buy the ticket. If you’re looking for a more profound sequel, you might have to wait for Part 3 (if there ever is one). Recommendation: Watch with friends, eat popcorn, and laugh out loud.