Jackie Chan in “Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe” – Film Review of the German-language home cinema premiere

When Jackie Chan expressed his love for China’s national animal – that furry icon – on screen in 2024’s “Panda Plan“, he inadvertently split his fanbase into two camps. Long-time devotees, accustomed to decades of classic Jackie Chan action, couldn’t warm up to the silly family comedy; meanwhile, families – and especially children – had a blast with the action-packed film.

Personally, I belonged to the latter group back then. I was thoroughly entertained by the semi-autobiographical comedy “Panda Plan”, in which Jackie Chan doesn’t take himself too seriously. As one of the few Western fans, I immediately wanted to see a sequel to the adventures of Hu Hu the panda and his adoptive father, Jackie. Two years later, that wish is coming true. Splendid Film is releasing the sequel, titled “Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe“, on home media and streaming platforms starting in August – offering yet another surprise for German-speaking Chan fans.

Let’s see if I’ve come to regret that wish, or if we are actually in for a trilogy.

Genre: Action, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Counzry/Year: China 2026
Original title: Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe
With Jackie Chan, Shan Qiao, Yang Yu
Director: Derek Hui · Script: Keyang Pan · Production: Han Mei · Music: Jing Ding
Length: 99 Min. · Rated 12 (Germany)

The Story

Will Jackie and Hu Hu succeed in fulfilling the prophecy to return to their own world?

The Theme

The film opens straight away with an action sequence, revealing Jackie Chan’s admiration for Sylvester Stallone’s “Cliffhanger“. That opening scene, which quickly turns out to be a dream of Jackie’s, is itself a cliffhanger. Riding alongside him in the car on the way to the panda sanctuary is JJ Lin, a singer famous in China; the two recorded the film’s theme song, “Skibidi“, together. When Hu Hu flees into the forest following the incident, it becomes clear to the audience that Jackie Chan has shifted into more of a supporting role in this sequel, making way for colorful visuals and a truly lovely message – one that reveals itself in a rather silly manner.

At a time when films featuring “strong female leads” are a hot topic in the West, “Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe” quietly delivers exactly what Hollywood has previously tried so compulsively to craft. Hu Hu, a female panda, is revered as a goddess by the magical tribe. The tribe’s leader is a powerful woman who sums up the prophecy in her own words: “Use your sweet nature to heal the world.” At the same time, she is a mother who, over the course of the film, gains important insights about herself, her leadership role, and her children.

Jackie Chan proves once again that humor and action know no bounds.

To balance the element of divine femininity in the film, a male counterpart is naturally required, and it is precisely this character who provides countless laughs throughout the adventure. Jackie Chan’s performance – reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin – and his innocent facial expressions prove to viewers of all ages that humor, like action, transcends national and generational boundaries. The comedic elements involving misunderstandings – centered on the assassin who becomes Jackie’s best friend and the tribal leader’s jealous son who pursues them both – do not reinvent the wheel of comedy, and that is precisely why they work.

With “Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe”, Jackie Chan makes no attempt to reinvent his style to suit a specific age group. Given his filmography, he has nothing left to prove and has earned the right to take on projects simply for the fun of it. This colorful family adventure, set in a magical world, targets a younger audience, thereby introducing Jackie Chan’s work to a new generation after more than 60 years in the film industry. For this reason, the film was released in Chinese theaters during the 2026 Chinese New Year, the nation’s most lucrative period for box-office revenue.

It stands to reason, then, that the film addresses various cultural themes. Family unity is one of them, as is the expression and sharing of genuine emotion and empathy within a highly functional society. The film clearly reflects the idea that people can achieve great things when united as a community. Furthermore, by honoring animals and nature, they live in harmony with the divine will.

The Background

Anyone expecting hard-hitting action à la “The Shadow’s Edge” – Jackie Chan’s brutal 2025 action hit – in “Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe” will be disappointed. Instead, this film caters to a different kind of Jackie Chan fan, thanks to the accessible and visually pleasing choreography by stunt team members Lv Shijia and Su Hang. Even at over 70, Jackie Chan proves he has mastered impressive moves with his signature weapon, the staff, capable of bringing even the most magical tribal warrior to their knees.

Although the film is a work of fantasy, Jackie’s character shares traits with the actor himself, just as in the first installment. For instance, while Jackie Chan wouldn’t describe himself as religious, he does harbor a genuine respect for tradition, rituals, and faith. As with the first film, seasoned fans will spot various nods to classic Chan movies, such as the mud scene from “The Young Master” or the fire-breathing sequence from “Drunken Master II”.

The film takes on a truly biographical dimension when one learns that Jackie Chan adopted two real pandas – Cheng Cheng and Long Long – in Chengdu, China, back in 2009 and has since traveled the globe as China’s panda ambassador. Incidentally, the first film was shot in Chengdu, while the sequel was filmed in locations including Yunnan. Furthermore, Jackie is accompanied to official events and film premieres by his two plush pandas, Chan La and Chan Zy, which are frequently photographed alongside celebrities from around the world.

For fans of German dubbing, “Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe” marks a significant shift. The passing of Stefan Gossler signals the end of an era in Germany, as he had served as Jackie Chan’s beloved, regular German voice for a full 30 years. Splendid Film has endeavored to do justice to the art of acting and dubbing, ensuring that German-speaking fans can continue to enjoy great Jackie Chan films in the future. In my opinion, they have succeeded in this with Stefan Krause as the new voice.

Jackie Chan’s new German voice: Stefan Krause

Jackie Chan Deutschland | Jackie Chan remains very active in the film industry. Does that mean we can look forward to more Chan films featuring your voice in the future?

Stefan Krause | As far as I’m concerned, I would love to continue providing the voice for Jackie Chan’s films. But perhaps the audience needs to have a say first on whether they like this “new” voice. That is what I hope for, of course.

Jackie Chan Deutschland | Are you a Jackie Chan fan yourself, and if so, what are your favorite films of his? Or is there a particular film that has stayed with you?

Stefan Krause | I’m not really a martial arts fan. But Jackie Chan’s style is less serious and rigid than the Bruce Lee tradition. You can see this in films like “Shanghai Noon” and “Around the World in 80 Days”, for instance, where the fight scenes are often unintentionally funny and Jackie Chan focuses more on his acting. And that’s what makes these movies worth watching for me!

(Photo courtesy of Stefan Krause)

Fun Fact:
Stefan Krause had previously provided the voice for other actors in Jackie Chan films, specifically “Around the World in 80 Days” and “The Tuxedo”.

A heartwarming sequel that delights with wit, heart, and magical charm.

It is not yet certain whether there will be a third installment in the Hu Hu panda adventures, though I certainly hope so. “Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe” is a colorful, witty sequel to the 2024 family comedy; it literally takes Jackie Chan on “side quests” within his own career, allowing him to poke fun at himself – autobiographically – while sharing Chinese culture in a humorous and surprisingly touching way with audiences of all ages around the globe. A chantastic family treat filled with heart, humor, and Jackie Chan’s signature charm: 4 out of 5 panda paws.

“Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe” will be available for purchase via streaming, as well as on DVD and Blu-ray, starting August 28, 2026, in Germany.

DVD and Blu-ray Extras:

• International Trailer (01:04)
• “Saviour” Trailer (01:00)
• “Scheduled” Trailer (01:24)
• “Whack-a-mole” Trailer (00:55)
• Music video “Give Me a Hug, Give Me a Smile” by Nina with Jackie Chan (03:06)

German Trailer: PANDA PLAN – THE MAGICAL TRIBE