Why Jackie Chan’s Underrated Action Franchise Deserves a Second Chance Today

Jackie Chan’s Armour of God Trilogy: The Unrecognized Adventure Epic
Despite being Hong Kong’s highest-grossing film at its release, Jackie Chan’s Armour of God trilogy remains underappreciated in the West. The original 1986 film stars Chan as the treasure hunter "Asian Hawk," who must rescue a kidnapped girlfriend from an evil cult while collecting pieces of the legendary Armour of God. While it blends action and comedy, the film’s unique adventure style, reminiscent of Indiana Jones, has largely flown under the radar. Experts note that its thrilling stunts—like Chan’s infamous near-fatal leap—are a testament to his daring artistry. Following the success of the first installment, Armour of God II: Operation Condor enhanced the adventure elements with exotic settings and memorable characters, but the finale, CZ12, failed to meet its predecessors’ standards. Critics argue it’s time for a reevaluation of this trilogy, which not only showcases Chan’s charm and impressive choreography but deserves a broader recognition as a significant piece of action cinema.

FAQ Section

1. What is the premise of Armour of God?
Armour of God features Jackie Chan as a treasure hunter tasked with retrieving pieces of an ancient armor to save his girlfriend from a cult.

2. Why is Armour of God considered unique among Jackie Chan’s films?
The film combines martial arts with adventure, sharing stylistic elements with the Indiana Jones series, and features spectacular stunts.

3. How successful was the Armour of God trilogy?
The first film was the highest-grossing film in Hong Kong upon its release but did not achieve significant popularity in Western markets.

4. What are the notable stunts in Armour of God?
The trilogy is renowned for its visually spectacular stunts, including Chan’s legendary leap that nearly resulted in serious injury.

Tags

Jackie Chan, Action Movies, Adventure Films, Martial Arts, Hong Kong Cinema, Pulp Adventure, Film Critique, Cinema History, Blockbuster Films, Stunt Work