'Little Soldier', Big Heart

Recording a commentary for Jackie's latest

In my capacity as Asian cinema expert in residence at the UK-based Cine Asia label, I get to provide commentaries and occasional other bonus materials for the British release of some great titles.

The latest is 'Little Soldier, Big Soldier', a little gem from an Asian superstar I've had the chance to work with many times over the years. This may not be the year's biggest Jackie Chan release (that honour would go to the 'Karate Kid' reboot!), but I think its the best. Though its not a conventional Jackie running, jumping, kicking flick, the film takes its basic premise (one that Chan has cherished for decades) and really delivers, visually and emotionally. Jackie himself has never been better, as an actor, than he is here, and the American-born actor/singer Wang Lee-hom is a revelation.

The story, which, plotwise, has echoes of the Kurosawa classics Hidden Fortress and Derzu Uzala, begins in the aftermath of a major battle during China's Warring States era. One of the few survivors, the Soldier (Jackie Chan) comes across the wounded form of a General (Wang Lee-hom) from the opposing army. The soldier (we never learn his name) decides to trade the injured man for a reward, and sets out across the countryside with the young general as his captive.

Along the way, they are pursued by the General's evil brother (Steve Yoo), encounter beggars, a travelling singer, a bear, a band of aborigines who look like they could be in the Thai film 'Bang Rajan'... Its a great road movie; basically a two-hander for Chan and Wang that makes wondrous use of the spectacular countryside of Yunnan.

I had a lot of fun researching this little gem of a film, and I hope my enthusiasm came across in the DVD commentary track. Its out soon in the UK from Cine Asia.