Simply put, Police Story is quintessential 80’s Jackie Chan, capturing a very particular combination of wondrous action and light, campy comedy characteristic of this golden age of Hong Kong cinema. Whether it may be the catchy synth cop music or the glorification of dangerous mall stunts and ridiculous explosions in a shantytown, one thing is certain. Movies are not made like this anymore.
The film tells the story of Chan Ka Kui, who after a botched drug bust, manages to arrest Selina Fong, the secretary to the suspected drug lord. When she agrees to testify against her boss, Chan is assigned to protect her in spite of her ambiguous motives, all while struggling to keep his job and uphold the honor of the police force.
The script contains the standard cop fare of bureaucratic difficulties and less-than-surprising plot twists, while straddling the line of police drama and action-comedy. The comedy bits, (while occasionally dated) frequently outshine the drama. Sprinkled about the film are satirical takes on the silly parts of police life, cute bits of romance in Chan’s all too pathetic relationship with Maggie Cheung’s May, and sexual misunderstandings abound in Chan’s task of protecting Brigitte Lin’s Selina. The cast does a fine job with their simple, but amusing characters.
The film’s highlights are, of course, in the well-choreographed, environment oriented martial arts sequences and the stylish, hyper-kinetic stunts. Chan (and his stunt team) create some of the most memorable and visually exciting moments in HK cinema on-screen, while behind the camera, Chan does a fine job structuring the action to satisfy the audience with the appropriate pacing, arcs and climaxes. It is everything you can ask for in a martial arts film. The film is regarded as a classic for a reason, and if you are going to watch one Jackie Chan film, this one may just have be it.
Reviewed by Tarun
