Little Big Soldier (Da bing xiao jiang) (2010)

79% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(2,052 ratings)

Two rivals strike up a wary friendship in this blend of historical drama, action and comedy starring international martial arts star Jackie Chan. It's 227 B.C., and during the era of the warring states, a fifty-something Liang soldier (Jackie Chan) captures a wounded Wei general (Wang Leehom) in the… More Two rivals strike up a wary friendship in this blend of historical drama, action and comedy starring international martial arts star Jackie Chan. It's 227 B.C., and during the era of the warring states, a fifty-something Liang soldier (Jackie Chan) captures a wounded Wei general (Wang Leehom) in the wake of a battle. The soldier's goal in taking the general prisoner isn't glory but the hope of collecting a reward so he can buy some land and start a farm once then fighting is over. The general, however, is vain and arrogant and insists he was taken captive only after his own men turned against them. As the two men slowly make their way back to Liang territory, they're followed by a duplicitous Wei prince (Steve Yoo) who has his own reasons for wanting the general back, as well as villains and scoundrels on both sides. While the soldier and the general don't get along at first, in time a grudging admiration grows between them as the general comes to appreciate the decency and good nature of his captor. Da Bing Xiao Jiang (aka Little Big Soldier) was an official selection at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Sheng Ding
Written By: Jackie Chan
Genres: Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Comedy

On DVD: Nov 8, 2010
Studio: Bona Entertainment

Critic Reviews

James Luxford, The National
Chan puts his heart and soul into the part of Big Soldier, and it's a reminder that there is more to the actor than Hollywood cinemagoers may have witnessed.
Fred Topel, Screen Junkies
Amusing but, never amazing. There's no ladder twirling, conveyor belt sticking or cashier slot jumping through.
Anton Bitel, Little White Lies
There is epic action and adventure in this film, to be sure, and some humour too - but it is all directed towards a conclusion whose devastating impact is not even undone by the touches of mawkishness that get us there.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
It does not, perhaps, try to do very much, but all the things it does try, it achieves with glowing perfection.
Derek Malcolm, This is London
A better screenplay, tougher editing and less commercial direction might have made the tale more substantial and even funnier -- as it is, Chan keeps it all going.
David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]
Jackie Chan came up with this story of a peasant capturing a highranking general some 20 years ago, but it's taken all this time for the project to be realised. Boy was it worth the wait.
Jamie Russell, Total Film
It lacks the visual oomph of Hero, but sure knocks Chan's recent Spy Next Door on its sorry arse.
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
Jackie Chan has made plenty of cracking films in his native tongue, but Little Big Soldier, a rambunctiously tragicomic martial epic set during China's Warring States period, is regrettably not one of them.
Cath Clarke, Guardian [UK]
Now 56, having broken pretty much every bone in his body, [Chan] sits out some of the rough stuff, and there is a noticeable twilight mood in the air.
Jamie Healy, Radio Times
[A] breezy romp that offers Jackie Chan one of his more memorable recent roles.
Tom Huddleston, Time Out
Genre-benders who like their Leone-esque historical slapstick buddy-action epics with a side order of political tragedy will find much to enjoy here.
Tim Evans, Sky Movies
It's the action sequences, including a splendid scene when Chan mounts an ox to rescue his reluctant partner, that will keep audiences thrilled.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Watchable Chinese action drama with a likeable performance from Jackie Chan and some energetic fight scenes, though it's let down by a rather simplistic plot and doesn't quite land the emotional punch it's aiming for.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

Jackie Chan has become what Steven Sequll and Val Kilmer are one role actors and this film is no different. Jackie role in all his films are the same a fast acting stunt man with a few comic lines. 3 stars
danny d

i loved this movie. chan is funny and charming, his character is likable and believable, and the storyline is original and satisfying. a total surprise, i will watch this film many times i know. a heartbreaking film that still leaves you feeling good in the end.
Justin Y

Director Sheng Ding's action adventure, Little Big Soldier, successfully throws the banter into a historic wuxia style picture.The plot is on the light side, at least until the the ending, and that probably makes the less than 90 minute run time a good… More
Director Sheng Ding's action adventure, Little Big Soldier, successfully throws the banter into a historic wuxia style picture.The plot is on the light side, at least until the the ending, and that probably makes the less than 90 minute run time a good thing. The story is easy to follow and it moves from place to place rather quickly, all while leaving the biggest plot detail a mystery most of the way.The action isn't overly impressive and there are moments of amusing Jackie Chan choreography and stunt work; however, they never fully engulf the action segments themselves.Jackie Chan is the star of the show and there is no question about it. Furthermore, it isn't his action sequences that stand out, but the nature of his character. He has got a nice mixture of quirkiness and seriousness that fits well into this picture. Leehom Wang serves as a good counterpart to Jackie's character and together they both take charge of the film. Despite the lack of airtime, Peng Lin showcases a delightful singing voice.There isn't a whole lot in Little Big Soldier that makes it a film for the ages. Yet, it isn't a disappointing watch.
Dean M

Beautifully fashioned, brilliantly performed and evocatively scored, Little Big Soldier's deceptive simplicity belies rich hidden depths. During China's "Warring States" period, an elderly soldier (Jackie Chan, who wrote the story) captures a… More
Beautifully fashioned, brilliantly performed and evocatively scored, Little Big Soldier's deceptive simplicity belies rich hidden depths. During China's "Warring States" period, an elderly soldier (Jackie Chan, who wrote the story) captures a young enemy general (Leehom Wang), in the hopes of a reward. Chan is superb, eschewing chop-socky prowess in favour of a deep humanity; he's often comical or afraid, but never pitiful. As a ruthless but ultimately sympathetic general, Wang is a worthy, complex foil. Director Sheng Ding deftly leverages action and laughs against affecting insights into warfare, honour, humility and glory. The finale's emotional sledgehammer lifts Ding's film into excellence.
Dedy N C

An action comedy movies, its so hillarious, I laughed alot of times. Ups I forget to tell its also an heroic epic movies, so all heroes died in this movies. (thats what my dad hate... he's dissapointed with the ending) He keep talking why and why? You know an scratch ending could… More
An action comedy movies, its so hillarious, I laughed alot of times. Ups I forget to tell its also an heroic epic movies, so all heroes died in this movies. (thats what my dad hate... he's dissapointed with the ending) He keep talking why and why? You know an scratch ending could ruin all the fun times before... (this works for a beginner watcher, the ones like my dad) But i still appreciate this movies...