I never thought I’d write this statement. Still, director Aman Ergaziyev and writer Anuar Turizhigitov from Kazakhstan have brought a loving tribute to Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan in their action feature Kung Fu Rookie.
Timuchin is a simple country boy who dreams of becoming a police officer after watching all of Jackie Chan’s films, such as Super Cop. With nary a penny to his name, he lives with his Uncle Samat in the big city. When he tries to sign up for the police academy, the recruiting officers rebuff him. It’s not his time.
Timuchin runs his uncle’s produce tent to help his uncle. When Samat’s best customer, Samal, has her purse snatched, Timuchin sprints across the city to subdue the robber. Grateful for putting his life on the line for her, Samal introduces Timuchin to her niece, Alua, and ignites a spark of love.
Timuchin’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. The local thug, Arsen, doesn’t take kindly to vigilantes disrupting his business. Arsen sends in his goons to stop Timuchin once and for all.
When I say that Kung Fu Rookie is an homage to Jackie Chan’s films, this is an understatement. Jackie Chan is referenced frequently in the film. Timuchin always mentions him, and actor Timur Baktybayev mimics many of his movies, from his kung fu fighting style to the parkour chases through the city streets.
“Simple country boy who dreams of becoming a police officer…”
If you’re familiar with Jackie Chan’s film, Kung Fu Rookie pulls many elements from Rumble in the Bronx with Timuchin living with his uncle, his very plain jacket and jeans outfit, the kung fu training dummy that doubles as a coatrack, and the fight in a refrigerator warehouse with pool table. Even the villain has his nose punched in.
Jackie Chan is a legend, and Kung Fu Rookie is a decent homage to the legend. Though the fighting is fun and exciting, and Timur Baktybayev does an admirable job living up to Chan’s fighting style, Kung Fu Rookie doesn’t live up to Jackie Chan…but then again, who could except Jackie Chan himself?
My point is that you want to downplay the master’s idolization out of fear of not living up to the promise of a Jackie Chan-style movie. The action is very good in Kung Fu Rookie, and it’s best to let the film speak for itself. That said, Jackie Chan films can be very silly plotwise, and Kung Fu Rookie delivers.
Kung Fu Rookie is a heartfelt, high-energy tribute to Jackie Chan. It is packed with acrobatic action and playful stunt work that would make the legend proud. With thrilling fight sequences, goofy humor, and a love for old-school kung fu cinema, it is a fun ride that proves admiration is best expressed through action—literally.
"…heartfelt, high-energy tribute to Jackie Chan."
