Fun though it is to see Jackie Chan good-naturedly busting out the classic moves – and very spry he is at 70 years old – this really is a by-the-numbers piece of work. It’s a Chinese action comedy in which Chan plays himself, the adored movie star, who is a little bored with the range of downtime activities on offer for an icon like him.

Then he jumps at the chance to adopt a rare baby panda at the zoo, and shows up just as a kidnap attempt is under way: a battalion of tough guys have been sent in to abduct the CGI creature at the behest of some Middle Eastern businessmen whose obvious stereotypical villainy is finally redeemed by some sentimental tearjerking — and of course Chan has to kick their butts in that unique slapstick way, helped by winsome zoo assistant Su Xiaozhu (Shi Ce). It’s a kids’ film in essence, although oddly the action violence means that it has a 15 certificate in the UK.

Basically, Chan is doing the same sort of stunts and comedy that he was doing decades ago; not for him the ironised references to an action star getting older and more unfashionable that gave us The Expendables, and in fact Chan is shown here rather pointedly turning down an offer to go to Sly Stallone’s birthday party, instead instructing his assistant to “send flowers”. Clearly Chan thinks that he still has the chops to do pretty much what he has long been doing, in the way he has long been doing it. There’s a goofy chase scene with a speeded-up rhino and also one with Chan at the wheel of a forklift truck, cycling through the classic facial expressions of sniley unconcern, dismay and relief. You can’t dislike it entirely.

• Panda Plan is in UK cinemas from 17 January.