Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan’s The Shadow’s Edge (2025) Review, Ratings, Release Date
The Shadow’s Edge (2025) film debuted in China on August 16, 2025. The gifted martial artist, veteran actor, and creative filmmaker Jackie Chan makes a striking welcome departure through this brooding, high-intensity crime thriller. This film portrays a gritty renaissance in Chan’s storied career. Far removed from his trademark action-comedy roots, this film stakes out Jackie's acting territory for a serious and formidable role. Let's take a look at the details of the film Shadow’s Edge (2025).
Production Details
The Shadow’s Edge is both directed and written by Larry Yang. He returns to helm this film after his collaboration with Jackie Chan on the 2023 action-comedy Ride On.
The film is made through the co-production of Hong Kong and mainland China. Besides this, the movie got financial support from some other reputed production companies.
Nicolas Errèra composed the music of this film. Her evocative compositions made the film’s tense and suspenseful atmosphere both realistic and enjoyable. Tiantian Qian skilfully did the cinematography of this film. He captured both the neon-lit modernity and ancient charm of Macau’s cityscape. Zhang Yibo edited the film’s pacing and tension in a disciplined way.
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Cheng Ka Ban was responsible for the fight and action choreography. The realistic martial sequences influenced the film's grounded tone.
Glimpse of Storyline
The story is a partial remake of the Hong Kong film 'Eye in the Sky' (2007). With new narratives, the Shadow's Edge (2025) film adapted some key plots of the original with contemporary technological themes.
According to the main theme of Shadow's Edge (2025), a retired surveillance expert, namely Wong Tak-chung (starred by Jackie Chan), is put into action by the Macau Judiciary Police. Wong works against a sophisticated thief syndicate, combining traditional tracking methods with cutting-edge surveillance technology. Fu Longsheng (played by Tony Ka-Fai Leung) is the principal antagonist opposite to Chang. Thus, Chan and Leung reunite on the silver screen again after nearly two decades since their collaboration in the film The Myth (2005).
At the core of The Shadow’s Edge is the psychological duel between Wong and Fu. One scene, with a home-cooked dinner doubling as a tension-charged interrogation, ranks among the year’s most impressive in sustained suspense.
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The finale erupts into bone-chilling combat across varied Macau locales, creating emotional upheaval amid chaos.
Choreography & Acting Performances
What sets the film's choreography apart is how successfully it tailors its action to Chan’s current age (71). It focuses on psychological tension, martial discipline, and inventive choreography over acrobatic bravado.
Choreographer Su Hang crafts combat sequences that emphasise joint locks, close-quarters intensity, and emotional weight. The audience will enjoy the bloody teahouse showdown between Chan and Leung.
Leung, not traditionally known for action, delivers a performance that astonishes. Especially, his knife-wielding menace is both believable and riveting. Jackie himself praised Leung's rapid mastery of the required physicality, joking that even the actor was nervous wielding a real blade. Their staggering chemistry makes the reunion more potent (after the 2005 film The Myth) with renewed emotional and agnostic stamina.
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The supporting cast includes a bunch of emerging talents. Zhang Zifeng portrays a bright cyberanalyst. In a compelling role, Ci Sha will astonish the audience with emotional depth and layered fight work. K-pop star Jun plays in a dream role opposite Chan, bringing fandom buzz.
The film’s efficient choreography made the settings vivid. The audiences will enjoy Macau’s sleek Cotai Strip as well as the atmospheric alleys of its old town. At nearly 142 minutes, the runtime is generous, but the pacing rarely falters, as Yang deftly balances character development, suspense, and arena-scale action.
Box Office Responses
Reception has been overwhelmingly strong. As one reviewer says, “Jackie Chan finally gets serious.” The viewers are praising the renowned actor's disciplined and commanding presence. According to another reviewer, “At 71, Jackie Chan has shown that legends don’t fade quietly; they fight, adapt, and sometimes surprise us all over again.”
Up to August 2025, the gross earnings of the film is about $27 million.
The film has got 7.8/10 ratings at IMDb so far.
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Conclusion
On the whole, The Shadow’s Edge (2025) film is not just a comeback of the veteran actor Jackie Chan; rather, it is a reinvention of his acting talent to a new dimension. The film wraps the evolving legacy of the martial arts legend Chan through dark, muscular, and elegant sequences. For those seeking something edgier, more cerebral, and undeniably powerful from Jackie Chan, this is the one to watch.
3 months ago
Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan Return: AI revives kung fu classics and debuts futuristic film in Shanghai
Martial arts legends Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li could soon grace the screen once more, this time in digitally resurrected form, as China launches an ambitious AI-powered revival of classic kung fu cinema.
Unveiled at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, the China Film Foundation, alongside industry partners, announced two major initiatives under the Kung Fu Film Heritage Project: an AI-led restoration of 100 iconic martial arts films, and the debut of A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border, the world’s first fully AI-produced animated feature.
According to Variety, the restoration project will use artificial intelligence to remaster titles such as Fist of Fury, The Big Boss, Drunken Master and Once Upon a Time in China, enhancing image and sound while preserving their original aesthetic and storytelling.
“From Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan, from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Wolf Warrior, these films have shown the world the vitality and spirit of the Chinese people,” said Zhang Qilin, chair of the China Film Foundation. “They are our cinematic calling cards to the world.”
In the project’s first phase, ten films will be prioritised, backed by an initial investment of RMB100 million (USD13.9 million), confirmed Canxing Media chair Tian Ming.
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“AI is the brush, but creativity is the soul,” Tian said. “Classic kung fu films embody China’s spiritual backbone. We’re inviting global partners to join this cultural and technological reboot.”
Meanwhile, A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border, a futuristic reimagining of John Woo’s crime classic, premiered at the festival.
Created entirely by a 30-person team at Quantum Animation using a full-stack AI pipeline from scripting and modelling to animation and rendering the film exemplifies AI’s growing influence in creative production.
“This entire animated feature was made by just 30 people,” said producer Zhang Qing. “AI has collapsed the barrier between creativity and execution. The production cycle has gone from years to months.”
Presented as a proof-of-concept for the future of Chinese genre storytelling, Cyber Border blends martial arts and sci-fi elements while encouraging creators to adapt IPs like Wong Fei-hung and Nezha into games and interactive formats.
5 months ago
Karate Kid Legends Unites Two Miyagi-verse Icons- Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio
Uniting legacy and nostalgia, ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ brings together two iconic figures from the beloved Miyagi-verse. Scheduled for release on May 30, 2025, this martial arts drama promises to bridge generations through its powerful blend of tradition and discipline. With Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio sharing the screen, anticipation runs high. Let’s explore what makes this cinematic reunion so momentous.
Karate Kid 2025: Plot and Team Behind the Screen
Penned by Rob Lieber, this martial arts movie flourishes with the directorial debut of Jonathan Entwistle in the feature film.
Set three years after the events of the television series ‘Cobra Kai’ (2018-2025), the story picks up where the saga left off. Serving as the sixth installment in the Miyagi universe, it follows the legacy revived by its predecessor in 2010.
Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan return to their respective iconic roles from previous movies. Joining them is Ben Wang, embodying the main lead alongside Joshua Jackson, Ming-Na Wen, and Sadie Stanley.
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The storyline centres on kung fu prodigy Li Fong, who, after moving to New York City, finds himself targeted by a fierce local karate champion. With guidance from Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, he sets out to prove himself in the ultimate karate showdown.
Bankrolled by Columbia Pictures, the drama film makes its way to theatres courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing.
From TV Series to Cinematic Spotlight
After more than a decade, the iconic franchise reclaims its spot in theatres. But releasing it right after Cobra Kai’s emotional finale adds an extra weight that fans will instantly feel. That final season tied up many beloved character arcs. It makes the movie’s continuation feel like the next natural step in a saga that spans generations.
Entwistle steps into feature filmmaking after a successful television career. While it's his debut on the silver screen, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a property cherished by a fiercely loyal global fanbase, Entwistle brings not just technical skill but a fan’s heart. He understands the world he’s building on because he grew up inside it, just like the audience he’s speaking to.
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Questions around continuity have been put to rest. The upcoming release respects the foundation laid by ‘Cobra Kai’, treating it as canon and picking up only a few years after its events. Writer Rob Lieber, alongside the creative team, has clearly worked to preserve the franchise's spirit. The result is a new chapter that honours its roots while inviting in new energy.
While the film holds its own ground with a fresh story, it doesn’t lose sight of its ancestry. The Legends moves forward while staying deeply stitched into the saga that shaped it.
Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan: Two Legends in One Production Set
Coming back to cinemas with decades of legacy, Macchio remains a name long intertwined with The Karate Kid since 1984. He first stepped into the role of Daniel LaRusso, a timid high schooler. The character was transformed into a resilient fighter under the guidance of the wise Mr. Miyagi, portrayed by the late Pat Morita. Macchio’s portrayal extended through Part II (1986) and Part III (1989). It elevates him to international stardom and solidifies Daniel as a pop culture icon. His presence in ‘Cobra Kai’ only deepened fans' connection to the character.
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Meanwhile, Chan brought a fresh dynamic to the Miyagi-verse with the 2010 reboot, playing the quietly powerful Mr. Han. His return to the franchise marks the first-ever crossover between the original continuity and the rebooted world.
This convergence introduces Ben Wang as Li Fong, a kung fu prodigy under the dual mentorship of LaRusso and Mr. Han. Through them, he will navigate two distinct martial philosophies, kung fu and karate, each with its discipline and depth. As two martial arts legacies merge on-screen, Legends quickly rises as one of the year’s most anticipated cinematic events.
Even in brief glimpses from the trailer, Chan’s Mr. Han appears more reflective, no longer just grieving but quietly evolving. For director Entwistle, collaborating with a star like Chan presented both a challenge and a thrill. It opened the door to honouring both traditions with sincerity, fusing them into a story that feels both nostalgic and remarkably new.
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Visualizing Two Disciplines of Martial Arts
‘Karate Kid: Legends’ bridges two martial arts traditions, kung fu and karate, into a story that's as visually dynamic as it is thematically rich. What initially seemed like a creative hurdle soon turned into one of the film’s defining strengths.
This fusion took shape when a veteran Hong Kong wirework team joined the production. They bring a cinematic style rooted in authenticity and fluid motion. Chan’s deep ties to that tradition helped unlock a clear vision.
What results is full-body, in-camera martial arts choreography—raw, physical, and immersive. It’s not just a stylistic choice; it’s one of the film’s boldest promises.
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In a Nutshell
‘Karate Kid: Legends’ unites Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, bridging generations in a franchise that has evolved across four decades. With Jonathan Entwistle stepping confidently into feature filmmaking, the plot moves ahead from the final moments of ‘Cobra Kai.’ Honouring its roots while expanding its reach, the upcoming release blends heartfelt mentorship with thrilling action. By showcasing both kung fu and karate in visually compelling ways, it offers a fresh yet faithful chapter in the enduring Miyagi-verse.
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7 months ago