Set in turn of the century, British ruled Hong Kong, Project A tells the story of the navy and their difficult task of defeating a large group of pirates led by the evil chief, Lo. The trouble, however, shifts to land when the navy suffers bureaucratic changes and sergeant Dragon Ma discovers corrupt high officials secretly working with the pirates to give them the upper hand. With both the police and gangs out to get him, he must find a way to get rid of the pirate threat and bring prestige back to the navy.
This mega hit is quintessential Jackie Chan. It brings together that magical trio of 80s Hong Kong martial arts cinema for a well-structured, stunt-filled adventure featuring all-out barroom brawls, clock tower hanging, unbelievable acrobatics and fluid, speedy choreography. Everyone gives a top-notch effort from Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, to the unsung stuntmen with painful two story drops off of stairs and into furniture. This is an audience pleaser for sure, built with an exciting variety of action set pieces and a healthy dose of Chan comedy in his trademark prop-heavy slapstick style. Project A is a film that owes just as much to classic Shaw Brothers wu-xia and Peking Opera as it does to Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd.
Most of all, this pic is consistently entertaining. The pacing is spot-on for an action-comedy with the seamless integration of story and action that even turns bicycle-riding martial arts into the most natural culmination of a conflict. Granted, this results in a light, easy-going tone that never makes for any truly serious threats (even the climax stacks the odds in the hero’s favor and ends on a joke), but it is hardly a problem. Chan fans will definitely be pleased and newcomers will fall in love with his unique brand of filmmaking.
Reviewed by Tarun
