Chinese Zodiac, or CZ12 in the US, is produced, written, directed by and stars Jackie Chan. It is the sequel to the 1991 film Armour of God II: Operation Condor. Jackie Chan reprises his role as adventurer and treasure hunter Asian Hawk, who is seeking to repatriate twelve bronze heads of the animals of the Chinese zodiac that were looted from the Old Summer Palace in the Second Opium War. The score is composed by Nathan Wang...

Nathan Wang's score for Chinese Zodiac was something of a surprise, mainly down to the fact that he visits so many cinematic genres and time periods with his music that I was starting to think I was listening to a homage to the history of cinema.

There are a number of tracks that beautifully pay homage to Bill Conti's work on the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only. (most notably in the 'Roller Body'); '12 Zodiac Heads / Y Raying Heads' gives a nod and a wink to the work of Jerry Goldsmith and Dave Grusin (most notably his work on The Goonies); and 'Dogs in the Maze' has elements of classic American cartoon music woven throughout it.

'The Ship Undermeath' is one of this score's most Hollywood blockbuster sounding tracks and 'Chinese Zodiac Piano Suite' is a 4 min, 12 sec revisiting of some of the themes played by Wang on the piano.

There are 30 tracks here, representing 57 min of music. It's a joy to listen to, from start to finish.

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Darren Rea