Fans of high-octane action are in for a treat: the Kazakh martial arts hit “Kung Fu Rookie” is now available for streaming via subscription.
A long-time admirer of Jackie Chan’s work admits the Hong Kong icon isn’t quite what he once was. It’s not a matter of diminished fitness at age 70, but rather a recent trend of films relying on excessive computer effects, weak scripts, and political agendas—though things are reportedly improving.
While martial arts cinema boasts talents like Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, Scott Adkins, and Iko Uwais, a true successor to Jackie Chan—someone who blends breathtaking stunts with physical comedy—has remained elusive. Until now, perhaps. Because Timur Baktybayev aims to follow in Jackie Chan’s footsteps with “Kung Fu Rookie.”
The 2023 action comedy premiered in Germany exclusively on streaming platforms at the beginning of last year, and is now available on Amazon Prime Video as part of a subscription.
Having already seen the film, it’s clear that fans of classic Jackie Chan action should definitely give this one a watch.
“Kung Fu Rookie”: An Entertaining Action Break from Kazakhstan
Don’t expect groundbreaking originality in terms of plot. Director Aman Ergaziyev delivers a straightforward story—one you’ve seen before—designed to showcase as many varied action sequences as possible. A young man striving to become a police officer and risking his life to help others? It’s a familiar formula, and that’s perfectly fine.
The script adheres to well-worn paths and could benefit from more depth between the action set pieces. However, a charismatic lead actor surprisingly captures Jackie Chan’s blend of humor, charisma, and clever fight choreography, mitigating those shortcomings.
Timur Baktybayev immediately demonstrates his talent during a chase sequence reminiscent of Tony Jaa’s breakout role in “Ong-Bak,” navigating obstacles with acrobatic flair. But “Kung Fu Rookie” is, at its heart, a tribute to the Kung Fu comedy genre forever associated with Jackie Chan—and potentially, his Kazakh successor.
The fights don’t quite reach the intensity of Chan’s earlier classics, but they retain a playful spirit reminiscent of “Rush Hour”—think minions kicked into refrigerators or heads wrapped in cotton candy. Whether wielding a sack of onions or his uncle’s clothes rack, the aspiring law enforcement officer, often dubbed a “Wannabe-Jackie-Chan” by his opponents, consistently finds creative ways to showcase his physicality.
Timur Baktybayev fights with everything that’s lying around!
The action frequently nods to various Jackie Chan films, sometimes directly and other times subtly—through references to his biography, posters adorning a gangster hideout, or familiar fight choreography. The highlights include a breathless brawl on a playground, immediately evoking “Police Story 2,” and a climactic fight that raises the stunt work to another level.
Ultimately, “Kung Fu Rookie” will be remembered as a classic Jackie Chan-style vehicle with room for narrative improvement, but an incredibly entertaining spectacle thanks to a strong cast—and a promising glimpse into the future for its leading actor. After this debut, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Timur Baktybayev shake up Hollywood, following in the footsteps of Jaa, Uwais, and others.
For more bone-crushing action, check out the film discussed in the following article:
*The link to the Amazon offer is a so-called affiliate link. If you purchase through this link, we will receive a commission. This article is based on an article that has already appeared on FILMSTARTS.
