Though a star in comic-leaning Hong Kong actioners for a decade (directing for five years), to the international audience, this film was Jackie Chan’s ‘calling card.’ (A previous self-directed ChopSocky period piece, PROJECT A/’83, likely primed the pump.) STORY still one of Chan’s best, well-balanced between thrills, impossible stunts done ‘for real,’ slapsticky Martial Arts, a game gal adversary who flips, turning from reluctant to enthusiastic helpmate, a Mr. Big & gang out to silence or frame Jackie, his own police force hunting him, and chases via car and foot thru tight corners on streets and inside public spaces.* Yet still human-scaled so you can just believe what you’re watching could happen. (Nothing like ‘practical’ effects to sell a scene thru punches that land with consequence via camera angles, timing and editing rather than vapid CGI. Why there’s even a plot you can follow. Mostly about Chan peeling off mob secretary Maggie Cheung to testify against her boss in court. A partnership with Chan that’s starting to look fishy to fiancée Brigitte Lin. (Her evolving relationship with Cheung an unexpected treat.) Jackie Chan’s film idols were Bruce Lee and Buster Keaton, and while he hasn’t the line or grace of either (more young Douglas Fairbanks, even in build), STORY let’s you see the connection and makes a great introduction.
DOUBLE-BILL: This is probably Chan’s Goldilocks of a film, not too big, not too small, the size just right. STORY 2 not seen here, nor 3 (and there’s a NEW POLICE STORY in the works for the 72 year-old veteran star), but as mentioned above, PROJECT A would pair well.
ATTENTION MUST BE PAID: *A tricky solo comic bit for Chan and a bunch of landline telephones needs a one-shot/one-take approach to work properly. Here, it’s funnier in concept than in execution. Chan not quite having the physical chops to pull it off.
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