THE MEDALLION
Hokey mysticism and flat humor make this a better home choice.
Should You Watch It?
The source review finds little reason to make this a theatrical destination. THE MEDALLION borrows heavily from other action, fantasy, spy, and martial-arts films, while its humor lingers too long and often falls flat. Its action is frequently jerky, its wire work looks awkward, and its music is irritating and stale.
There is one bright spot: Lee Evans brings expressive physical comedy and steals the scenes in which he appears. But the central romance lacks chemistry, and the mystical story leaves major ideas unexplained, including resurrection and the powers that follow it.
For your family, this is best saved for home—if you are committed Jackie Chan fans—or skipped in favor of a stronger action adventure.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESA rare medallion, divided into two pieces, is connected to a new surge of good energy and life. A special boy can reunite it, but an evil antiquities collector wants its power for immortality.
Hong Kong detective Eddie Yang works with Interpol detectives Arthur Watson and Nicole James to stop the medallion from being used for evil. Along the way, they face black-leather-clad henchmen, supernatural powers, and a battle that could determine the world's fate.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means THE MEDALLION has a few watchable elements but is not a successful whole. Lee Evans is the redeeming factor: his expressions and pratfalls enliven nearly every scene in which he appears.
The rest is strained. The jokes linger after their punchlines, the action photography shifts awkwardly between sped-up and blurred images, and unnecessary wire rigs make some stunts look like a cheap school production. The music over-explains nearly every moment and borrows from the same films the movie imitates. The romance also lacks convincing chemistry.
The Worldview
THE MEDALLION presents mysticism as the source of extraordinary power, good energy, resurrection, immortality, apparitions, and transformation. Its supernatural framework includes chanting, Buddhas, and temples, while everlasting life is offered apart from God. The story also includes lying and much fighting violence.
The film's central moral contrast is between good energy and evil, but its answer to death is mystical power rather than God. Resurrection and immortality are treated as abilities that can be gained or misused, not as gifts under God's authority. That departure matters because the desire for everlasting life is real, even when the film's explanation is not biblical. Scripture says, “he has put eternity into man's heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Heathen worldview with mysticism, chanting, Buddhas, temples, resurrection by mystic power, apparitions, supernatural power, everlasting life apart from God; only three mild obscenities; much fighting violence including shooting, stabbing, kicking, punching; no sex; no nudity; and, lying. GENRE: Action Fantasy PaPa FRFR L VVV M
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film connects everlasting life with mystical power apart from God. What does the Bible say about where eternal life comes from?
John 3:16 · 1 John 5:11–12The story presents power as something that can be used for good or evil. How should Christians think about power, and what makes an action truly good?
Micah 6:8 · James 3:13–18The content includes lying. Why does Scripture take truthfulness seriously, even when deception seems useful?
Proverbs 12:22 · Ephesians 4:25The film relies on fighting violence to resolve its conflict. When should Christians pursue peace instead?
Matthew 5:9 · Romans 12:18The Final Word
THE MEDALLION has one genuine comic bright spot in Lee Evans, but its derivative story, awkward action, irritating music, weak romance, and mystical worldview outweigh that merit. For most families, WAIT FOR HOME is the honest answer. Consider these instead.
