I FINALLY (over a year later, lol) watched the rest of the 4 films in the Police Story collection, as I had a day off at home. It included SuperCop (great), First Strike (worst film in the collection by far), New Police Story (AWESOME) and 2013 (I found it to be fantastic), will break it down below:
SuperCop (1992):
Ka-Kui (Jackie Chan) is still with the Hong Kong Police Department and when his superiors are speaking with Interpol, about a druglord that is causing problems within mainland China, Ka-Kui is setup by Uncle Bill (Bill Tung) to make it sound like Ka-Kui shouldn't take the job. Of course, he does and he is paired (for training) with Jessica Yang (played brilliantly by Michelle Yeoh) and then thrust into the fire. Such a big name (though she wasn't super well-known at the time) of course would get more screen time and she does, but if you haven't seen it, I don't want to spoil.
Was a fun romp, super enjoyable, Yeoh is a fantastic actress and she works well/has great chemistry with Chan, who is just as endearing and superb like always. Seeing Maggie Cheung again is always a treat and the plot is actually not as ridiculously over the top as one might think. Great location shots too and superb action, a hallmark of a Stanley Tong film.
8/10
First Strike (1996):
Jackie (Jackie Chan) is helping the CIA investigate potential Nuclear problems in Ukraine and follows a Ukrainian chick, meeting up with her boyfriend, a Chinese National, Jackson (played by Jackson Lou). Something goes awry and then Jackie is saved by the KGB, who fly him to Australia to surveil Jackson and ultimately attempt to resolve the Nuclear issue.
Disjointed from the word, "go," things are very confusing at times, lots of plot holes and the funny hijinks just aren't there throughout. Lou is a good actor, but he is given VERY little to do and his on-screen sister, Annie (Annie Wu) is stunning and instead of showing her off a bit, they show her for 1 1/2 minutes in a bikini and that's it >_>. The action is also concentrated to four scenes, basically (as opposed to the first three films, that had maybe a dozen action scenes each and Rumble in the Bronx {the closest film to this, in terms of style and era}, which is all action from beginning to end, basically). Stanley Tong did a great job with Supercop, RitB, but didn't do a great job here.
At least we get to see Nathan Jones speak/dub in Russian!
6/10
New Police Story (2004):
Kwok-Wing (Chan, no longer named, "Ka-Kui)" enlists a team of his best men to capture some wealthy bank robbers, who are all teenagers/young adults (they're between like 16 and 20). He states in a press conference that he and his team will take them down in 3 hours, after they make a narrow escape from another police team (who evade a longtime friend of Kwok Wing). When they enter the building/structure that the kids are in however, the team is slowly picked off, one by one and tortured/attacked to within death (but not quite). After Kwok-Wing cannot save them in specific challenges, they all die (including his brother in-law) and he turns to being a severe alcoholic. A young cop finds him though and gets him to muster up the courage to go after them again.
The plot is formulaic, but really well-done and makes use of emotion and in-film circumstances very well, with little to no plotholes or major errors. IMO, this is Chan's best acting of the series to this point and he shows a ton of depth and emotion, from high to low and everything in-between. The supporting cast is fantastic and the villains are truly full of disdain and get you riled up. Tons of great action and stunts and the sets are superb: many consider this the dark horse of the series and I deem it to be best or second-best (flip-flopping with the first film). Lots of funny moments too, an all-around enjoyable film.
9/10
Police Story 2013 (2013):
Zhong Wen (Chan) is in some sort of bar/red light district around Christmastime in China and he is dropped off by a cab in front of a Bar Wu, where he is to meet up with his daughter, whom he has not seen in 6 months. Certain others are invited to the bar and they all recognise each other from different points in their lives. The owner of the bar, Wu (a great job done by Liu Ye) reveals himself to be Zhong Wen's daughter's boyfriend and shows Zhong around the premises, until Zhong's daughter (Miao) finally shows up. A homeless man enters the bar however (he is not welcome), bluffs that he has dynamite on him and when Zhong goes to quell the situation, he is knocked unconscious by one of the large bouncer-esque men that Zhong walked by prior.
The least action of the series, by far (that's not a bad thing, trust me), I am absolutely astounded that this was flayed alive so much by critics and moviegoers: sure, it isn't a groundbreaking, epic and long-lasting film, but it was a great watch, kept me on the edge of my seat for most of it and as the plot slowly gets revealed, one can see that it is a great bit of storytelling by all involved. There are a couple of plotholes, but nothing major and nothing that detracts you from the main story and the film takes on almost a very Rashomon feel towards the end. Chan's character makes certain precedents at the beginning of the film, in terms of his philosophies and attitudes and these are upheld until the very end, which makes the plot even more enjoyable and engaging.
If you're in for more of a talkie and less action for a Chan film (kind of like the Foreigner, but not as high-profile and slick), this one has your back and it is my choice for Dark Horse of the series: I put it #4 and it is my 2nd favourite.
8/10
So overall, I will put it like this (doing a Yakuza/Ryu ga Gotoku-style rating):
What films are best:
New Police Story>1>2>2013>SuperCop>First Strike
My favourites:
2>2013>NPS>SuperCop>1>First Strike
All but First Strike are really good films though: fun, light (but enjoyable) plot, great acting and the typical Chan Charm and Action, this is a fantastic series if you have a few days to kill, just watching films; I would also recommend watching Rumble in the Bronx alongside as well, as even though it isn't part of the series, it 100% feels like it is a part of the series.
