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The Medallion
The Medallion
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The Medallion
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGordon Chan
Written by
Produced byAlfred Cheung
Starring
CinematographyArthur Wong
Edited by
Music byAdrian Lee
Production
company
Distributed byTriStar Pictures (Theatrical)
Screen Gems (Home Video)
Release dates
  • 15 August 2003 (2003-08-15) (Hong Kong)
  • 22 August 2003 (2003-08-22) (United States)
Running time
88 minutes
Countries
  • Hong Kong
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$35–41 million[1][2]
Box office$34.3 million[3]

The Medallion (Chinese: 飛龍再生/免死金牌) is a 2003 buddy action comedy film directed by Hong Kong film director Gordon Chan, who also wrote the screenplay with Bennett Joshua Davlin, Bey Logan, Paul Wheeler, and Alfred Cheung, who also produced.[4]

The film stars Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, Claire Forlani, and Julian Sands. It was much less successful than Chan's other American films such as the Rush Hour film series, Shanghai Noon, and its sequel, Shanghai Knights. The film was theatrically released on 15 August 2003 in Hong Kong and 22 August 2003 in the United States by TriStar Pictures. However, on the home media release, it was released by Screen Gems.

In the story, Eddie (Jackie Chan) is a Hong Kong police officer hired by Interpol to capture a crime lord known as Snakehead (Sands) and stop him from kidnapping a chosen boy with special powers and a medallion that gives superhuman power and immortality.

Much of the film features supernatural and mystical themes, though it is filled with action and comedy. The film received negative reviews from critics. Even though the film's United States box office result was strong enough for Sony/TriStar Pictures to make profit,[5][6] the film performed poorly at the worldwide box-office, and only grossed $34.3 million in worldwide box office against $35‒41 million production budget.

Plot

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Eddie Yang is a Hong Kong police inspector cooperating with Interpol in the capture of a crime lord named AJ "Snakehead" Staul. Snakehead procures an ancient book from a Chinese bookstore keeper, which tells the story of a boy chosen every thousand years to bind the two halves of a legendary medallion. In Hong Kong, Eddie and Interpol agent Arthur Watson led a raid to capture Snakehead and his men, who were about to kidnap the boy named Jai. Eddie and the agents fight off Snakehead's men, infiltrating the temple containing Jai. The agents save Jai, but Snakehead eludes them. Two weeks later, Snakehead captures Jai aboard a cargo boat in Hong Kong. Eddie and a team of Hong Kong police engage and defeat several of Snakehead's men, but some of them escape with Jai to Dublin, Ireland.

In Ireland, Eddie was assigned to help Interpol with the investigation, much to Watson's annoyance. Eddie also reunites with his girlfriend, Nicole James. By chance, Eddie later encounters and apprehends one of Snakehead's top men, who confesses that Jai got held in the harbor. Eddie, Watson, and Nicole move to rescue Jai, defeating several of Snakehead's men. Eddie and Jai end up trapped inside a container, which is then knocked into the water by one of Snakehead's men before they can be released. Eddie manages to keep Jai alive by finding an inflatable tent and securely putting Jai inside there, but Eddie suddenly dies from drowning. After being saved, Jai uses his medallion on Eddie's body.

In the morgue, Watson grieves over Eddie's body and prepares to say his last words, but Eddie appears beside him. Eddie finds out that Jai used the medallion to bring him back to life, and his former body vanishes into dust. Jai splits the medallion into its two halves, giving one of them to Eddie. Snakehead's men appear in the hospital to recapture Jai, and during the fight, Eddie discovers the medallion has also granted him superhuman strength and immortality.

Nicole looks after Jai, but he is captured again by one of Snakehead's men. At his castle hideout, Snakehead forces Jai to activate the medallion so he can gain its power with only one-half of it; Snakehead only gains superhuman strength and remains mortal. To steal the other half, Snakehead and his men attack Watson's family. Watson's Chinese wife reveals herself to be a police operative like him, much to Watson's surprise, as he kept his job secret from his family. Together, they fight off the attack from Snakehead's men.

Eddie, Watson, and Nicole learn the location of Snakehead's castle lair and go to finish him once and for all. The operation runs smoothly, but Snakehead kills Nicole and becomes immortal. He and Eddie engage in a vicious fight until Eddie uses the medallion to take away the life it gave, leading to the serpent and fish from the medallion appearing and bringing Snakehead, which traps him in the medallion. Jai allows Eddie to use the medallion to resurrect Nicole, who gains super-strength and immortality. The two then run in superhuman speed into the distance as Jai enters another dimension through a portal, scaring Watson.

Cast

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Snakehead's henchmen

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Production

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With a projected budget of $35 million, the film was at the time the most expensive Hong Kong production ever, making Bennett Joshua Davlin the highest paid screenwriter in Asia.[7][8][9]

Original plot and conception

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Highbinders was the film's working title. In the original plot, those who were given power by the medallion became Highbinders, and Snakehead's goal was to create a Highbinder army at his disposal.

According to the editors' commentary, The Medallion wasn't American-made. However, Columbia-TriStar bought the distribution and editing rights worldwide except in Japan, France, and Hong Kong (but these three countries retain the American cut of the film, the only cut ever made). The original cut was meant to be around 108 minutes. The plot of the film explained Snakehead's crime syndicate of human smuggling, the deaths that occurred from it, and his desire to create an army of Highbinders to aid his organization. These details were all cut to focus on the medallion. As a result of several scene cuts, some original dialogue was overdubbed, including a small amount of Cantonese dialogue.

Over 20 minutes of these deleted scenes can be viewed on the U.S. DVD. Among these scenes are alternate endings where Eddie prevents Nicole's death, an extended fight sequence between Eddie and Snakehead's men, and an alternate ending to the chase sequence between Eddie and Giscard.

Filming

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Filming took place in August 2001 in Dublin, Ireland. Production took a break while Jackie Chan shot 'The Tuxedo', and production resumed in Asia later that year.[10][9] Filming took place in Dublin Castle, and in the Wicklow countryside.[11] The filmmakers had initially planned to shoot scenes in Australia but were convinced to film in Dublin instead.[9]

Reception

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Box office

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In its US release, The Medallion was No. 5 at the box office on its opening weekend and fell steadily lower during its 10-week release. Overall, it has earned $22.2 million, ranking No. 42 among all martial arts films released in the US and eighth among the Jackie Chan films distributed in the US.[3] The US box office performance had exceeded Sony/TriStar Pictures' profitability target ('mid-teens' box office target).[5]

Critical response

[edit]

The film received generally negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes the film has a rating of 17% based on reviews from 125 critics. The site's consensus states: "The use of special effects diminishes some of Chan's appeal in this disposable picture."[12] On Metacritic the film has a score of 38% based on reviews from 30 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[13] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade B.[14]

  • Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: "The best of Jackie Chan's American movies, a pleasant little action comedy that makes one wonder how other filmmakers could ever get it wrong."[15]
  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: "A disposable entertainment, redeemed by silliness, exaggeration, and Chan's skill and charm. I would not want to see it twice, but I liked seeing it once." Ebert called it an improvement over The Tuxedo but not as good as Shanghai Knights.[16]
  • Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: "Chan's signature mix of screwball comedy and gymnastic derring-do landed him his own cartoon series a few years back, and The Medallion -- with its bumbling spies and bounding star -- is about as cartoonish as live action gets."[17]
  • Dennis Harvey, Variety: "At times plays as if it were aimed at children, but more often simply seems to be aiming blind at whatever genre cliche the five credited writers fix upon in any given scene."[18]
  • Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: "Moves from cheekiness to ineptitude, often in a single take."[19]
  • Jami Bernard, New York Daily News: "Evans fumbles through painfully extended homophobic jokes, weak double entendres and agonizingly contorted double-takes."[20]
  • Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle: "One of the Peking Opera-trained superstar's most mediocre films, rivaling last year's God-awful The Tuxedo for sheer messy filmmaking and brazen acts of tedium... Abysmal."[21]

Accolades

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Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Medallion is a buddy film directed by , who co-wrote the screenplay with Bennett Joshua Davlin, starring as detective Eddie Yang, who dies in a car accident while pursuing a criminal and is resurrected with superhuman abilities after coming into contact with a powerful ancient medallion. The film, a -American co-production filmed on locations including , , and , follows Eddie as he teams up with agents Nicole () and Arthur Watson (Lee Evans) to protect a young boy—the medallion's prophesied "Highbinder"—from the villainous crime lord Snakehead (), who seeks the artifact's immortality-granting power to achieve world domination. Blending choreography with fantasy elements and , The Medallion was released theatrically in on August 15, , and in the United States on August 22, , by , running 88 minutes and rated PG-13 for action violence and some sexual content. Despite Chan's star power and a of approximately $41 million, the film underperformed at the , grossing $22.2 million in and $34.3 million worldwide, and received mixed-to-negative critical reception for its formulaic plot and uneven tone. Key supporting cast includes as Cmdr. Hammerstock-Smythe and as Edward Foster, with the production marking one of Chan's Hollywood efforts following successes like Rush Hour.

Synopsis

Plot

Eddie Yang, a determined police detective, teams up with agents Arthur Watson and his former partner Nicole to apprehend the notorious criminal mastermind known as Snakehead, who is obsessed with obtaining an ancient medallion believed to confer immense power for . The medallion, a mystical artifact from Buddhist legend, consists of two halves that, when united with the tattoo on the body of a "chosen one"—a child born in the fourth month of the Year of the Snake—can resurrect the dead and grant superhuman abilities including immortality, super strength, enhanced speed, bulletproof skin, and extraordinary leaping capabilities. Snakehead launches a raid on a remote temple to kidnap the young chosen child, Jai, who bears the matching tattoo and guards one half of the medallion. Eddie pursues the kidnappers, leading to a chaotic chase where he and Jai are trapped inside a and dumped into the ocean, resulting in Eddie's apparent . In a pivotal twist, the medallion's power activates upon contact with Jai's tattoo, resurrecting Eddie as a "Highbinder"—an immortal warrior with the aforementioned powers, his body now healing instantly from wounds and turning sand where he once lay deceased. Empowered and driven by a renewed sense of purpose, Eddie reunites with Arthur and Nicole to track Snakehead, who has acquired the medallion's other half and plans to harness its full potential. Demonstrating his new abilities, Eddie engages in high-stakes action sequences, leaping across rooftops, shrugging off gunfire, and overpowering foes with enhanced strength and agility. Snakehead, motivated by his thirst for eternal life to cement his criminal empire, poisons himself in a desperate ritual, forcing Jai to revive him using the united medallion, thereby granting the temporary and similar powers. The narrative builds to a climactic confrontation at a massive , where Eddie, , and Nicole battle Snakehead and his henchmen in an explosive showdown involving helicopters and mid-air combat. Eddie ultimately defeats Snakehead by hurling the medallion at him, invoking its mystical forces to strip the villain of his and condemn him to oblivion. In the resolution, Eddie uses the medallion one final time to revive Nicole, who had been fatally wounded during the fight, allowing the heroes to reunite while ensuring Jai's safety and the artifact's legacy for future guardians.

Cast

The principal cast of The Medallion features in the lead role as Inspector Eddie Yang, a tenacious who gains extraordinary abilities following a near-death encounter with the film's titular artifact, anchoring the action sequences with his signature prowess. Chan's portrayal emphasizes Eddie's resilience and physicality, providing the high-stakes stunts that define the film's buddy blend. Lee Evans plays Arthur Watson, a clumsy Interpol agent partnered with Eddie, whose hapless antics and exaggerated physical humor serve as the primary source of , contrasting sharply with Chan's disciplined action-hero to heighten the film's comedic dynamics. Evans' Watson embodies the bumbling trope, injecting energy into chase scenes and banter that propels the ensemble's interplay. Claire Forlani portrays Nicole James, Eddie's dedicated fellow operative and romantic interest, whose skilled involvement in investigations adds emotional depth and supportive action to the narrative, contributing to the film's romantic-comedy undertones amid the chaos. Her character's determination complements the leads, fostering team-based confrontations that balance the action with interpersonal tension. Julian Sands stars as Snakehead (also known as A.J. Staul), the menacing international smuggler and obsessed with harnessing the medallion's power, delivering a cold, calculating villainy that escalates the stakes and motivates the heroes' pursuits. Sands' portrayal drives the adversarial force, enabling intense showdowns that showcase the cast's collective action-comedy synergy. In supporting roles, Anthony Wong appears as Lester Wong, Snakehead's steadfast second-in-command and enforcer, whose ruthless efficiency bolsters the villainous operations and provides gritty confrontations integral to the film's escalating threats. Alexander Bao plays Jai, the young boy destined to safeguard the medallion, whose innocence and vulnerability heighten the protective elements of the story while tying into the ensemble's guardian dynamics.

Production

Development

The development of The Medallion originated as a co-production between Hong Kong's Emperor Multimedia Group and the U.S.-based (a Sony Pictures Entertainment label), in association with Golden Port Productions Ltd. and , representing a key collaboration between Hollywood and cinema to blend Eastern traditions with Western storytelling conventions. Director co-wrote the screenplay with Bennett Joshua Davlin, alongside contributions from Bey Logan, Alfred Cheung, and Paul Wheeler, drawing from an original story and characters by Cheung; the narrative was conceived as a action-comedy incorporating elements, such as a mystical medallion granting and abilities. Initially titled Highbinders during , the project underwent a title change to The Medallion prior to release, likely to better emphasize the central artifact and appeal to international audiences. The film's budget ranged from $35 million to $41 million, making it the most expensive production to date and enabling ambitious and international shooting plans. Script evolution included significant revisions and cuts by Columbia TriStar, shortening the runtime from an original cut of approximately 110 minutes to 88 minutes and trimming more elaborate supernatural lore and action sequences; over 15 deleted scenes, featuring additional fight choreography and backstory elements, were later restored as DVD extras. Jackie Chan's casting as the lead influenced the action design, incorporating his characteristic blend of , stunts, and humor while accommodating his established performing style at age 49.

Filming

for The Medallion began in July 2001 in , , where exterior scenes were captured to represent various global settings in the story. Production paused in September 2001 to allow star to film , resuming later that year in and wrapping in early 2002. The international shoot spanned multiple countries, reflecting the film's blend of action and fantasy elements. Key filming locations included and the Clarion Hotel on Clarendon Quay in Ireland for complex stunt sequences, as well as in standing in for the villain's lair. Irish quarries and rivers served as backdrops for high-risk action scenes, such as the dam sequence, which relied on practical effects to depict the protagonist's near-fatal plunge. Interiors and additional action were shot in studios, with supplementary sequences filmed in , including . The production faced logistical hurdles from coordinating Jackie Chan's Hong Kong-based stunt team with Western crews from , , and the U.S., compounded by language barriers and cultural differences in workflow. delays in Ireland's unpredictable further complicated outdoor shoots, prompting Chan to express fondness for the country despite its rainy conditions. Integrating wirework for enhanced s with CGI for the medallion's supernatural powers required extensive post-shoot adjustments, including rig removals across over 450 shots, as all stunt performances were executed practically on set.

Music

Score

The original musical score for The Medallion was composed by Adrian Lee, with additional music by , who—best known as a founding member and keyboardist of the rock band Toto—brought his expertise in synthesizing orchestral and electronic elements to create a dynamic hybrid sound bridging and Hollywood production values. This collaboration resulted in a score that underscores the film's blend of high-energy stunts and , using pulsating rhythms and atmospheric layers to heighten tension and excitement. Composed during in 2002–2003 following , the score complements the film's and Chan's agile performance style, as heard in cues accompanying pivotal action set pieces such as the climactic dam battle. The recording process, handled in studios to align with the film's , ensured the music's seamless integration into the supernatural thriller's pacing.

Soundtrack

The of The Medallion incorporates several licensed contemporary pop, electronic, and rock tracks to complement the film's blend of high-octane action and buddy comedy sequences. These songs provide rhythmic energy during key moments, contrasting the more orchestral elements of the original score by underscoring lighter, humorous beats and triumphant resolutions. The film begins with "Cue the Pulse to Begin" by Burnside Project, an upbeat electronic track that plays over the to establish a playful, pulsating vibe aligned with the story's intrigue. During intense chase scenes, "Break the Madness" by Cirrus delivers fast-paced rhythms, amplifying the adrenaline of vehicular pursuits and stunts. For moments of , a lively cover of the classic "" performed by y Los Musicos injects whimsical energy, enhancing the film's humorous interludes. As the story concludes, "Super Hero" by Stereo Fuse closes the end credits with its anthemic rock-pop sound, echoing the protagonist's empowered transformation and providing an uplifting finale. No official compiling these tracks was released, though individual songs gained exposure through the film's promotion and received limited radio airplay in select markets.

Release

Theatrical release

The Medallion had its world premiere in on August 15, 2003, where star made personal appearances to promote the film. This event marked the initial rollout in , emphasizing the film's Hong Kong production roots and Chan's local stardom. The premiere drew significant media attention, highlighting the movie's blend of action and fantasy elements. The film received a wide theatrical release in the United States on August 22, 2003, distributed by , a division of Entertainment. handled worldwide theatrical distribution, while co-productions involving Multimedia Group focused on Asian markets. International expansion followed in September 2003, with releases in the on September 10 and on September 23, extending to the on November 14. Marketing strategies centered on Chan's high-octane stunts and the medallion , showcased through theatrical trailers that featured explosive action sequences and . Promotional materials, including posters, prominently displayed the glowing medallion artifact as a central visual motif to intrigue audiences with its mystical allure. The campaign targeted global action fans, leveraging Chan's international appeal for cross-regional promotion. The U.S. opening weekend grossed $8.1 million, reflecting initial interest in the star-driven spectacle.

Home media

The Medallion was released on DVD in the United States by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment on December 23, 2003, in both and full-screen editions. The disc included over 20 minutes of deleted scenes, some featuring additional action sequences that had been cut from the theatrical version to shorten its 88-minute runtime amid studio editing decisions, providing fans with extended content to address complaints about the abbreviated length. Other special features comprised an audio commentary track by producer Bill Borden and editor Don Brochu, a featurette titled "The Power of the Medallion," and theatrical trailers. A VCD edition was also issued in 2003 as a two-disc set, featuring the film with Chinese subtitles for local audiences. The film received a Blu-ray release in the United States on June 21, 2011, through Image Entertainment, presented in with DTS-HD 5.1 audio. A limited-edition Blu-ray from distributor 88 Films followed in November 2023, including a remastered high-definition presentation, alternate ending, 14 deleted scenes, and the original commentary track. Following its theatrical run, The Medallion became available for streaming on during the mid-2000s. As of November 2025, it streams for free with ads on platforms such as and , and is available for digital rental or purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

Reception

Box office

The Medallion was produced on a budget estimated between $35 million and $41 million. The film ultimately grossed $34.3 million worldwide, failing to recoup its costs and resulting in a financial loss. In the United States and , it earned $22.2 million, including an opening weekend take of $8.1 million from 2,648 theaters, placing it at number five at the domestic that weekend. Internationally, the film collected $12 million, with earnings stronger in Asian markets such as ($0.93 million) compared to many Western territories outside , where performance was relatively weak. Among films, it ranked 60th in domestic gross, and 22nd overall in Jackie Chan's U.S. releases by domestic earnings. Its underperformance was influenced by a release amid the highly competitive summer season—dominated by holdovers like —and subsequent drops of 42% and 53% in its second and third weekends, signaling negative word-of-mouth.

Critical response

The Medallion received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics upon its release, earning a 17% approval rating on based on 124 reviews. The film's score stands at 38 out of 100, indicating "generally unfavorable" reception from 30 critics. Audiences polled by gave it a B grade, suggesting more middling appeal among general viewers. Critics frequently praised Jackie Chan's enduring charisma and stunt work as highlights, with awarding the film two out of four stars and describing it as a "disposable , redeemed by silliness, , and Chan's skill and charm." However, the screenplay drew widespread condemnation for its weak, formulaic plot and incoherent narrative, while Lee Evans' comedic performance was often derided as over-the-top and cringe-inducing. The film's CGI effects, particularly those enhancing powers, were criticized as dated and unconvincing even at the time, contributing to a sense of visual cheesiness. Variety lambasted the pacing as hectic and lacking coherence, amid "hectic incident pileups" that failed to engage. Thematically, reviewers highlighted the film's unsuccessful attempt to merge Hong Kong-style wire-fu action with Hollywood buddy-cop tropes, resulting in an awkward tonal mishmash. Screen Daily noted an "unhappy blend of antics mixed with the standard flying fists," underscoring the disjointed fusion of cultural styles. Overall, The Medallion is regarded as one of Chan's lesser Hollywood vehicles, emblematic of his mid-2000s struggles to replicate earlier successes amid formulaic Western productions.

Accolades

The Medallion earned two nominations at the 23rd Hong Kong Film Awards held in 2004. In the Best Action Choreography category, Sammo Hung was nominated for his work on the film's stunt sequences, which showcased intricate martial arts and wirework. The award ultimately went to Donnie Yen for The Twins Effect. Additionally, the film received a nomination for Best Visual Effects, credited to the team of Paddy Eason, Merrin Jensen, Lars Johansson, and Matthew Gidney, recognizing their contributions to the supernatural elements and action set pieces. This category was also won by The Twins Effect, with Eddy Wong and Yee Kwok Leung taking the honor. Despite these nods to its technical merits, The Medallion secured no wins at the ceremony and garnered no major international accolades.

References

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