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| name = Police Story
| name = Police Story
| image = Police-Story-poster.jpg
| image = Police-Story-poster.jpg
| caption = Hong Kong film poster
| caption = Hong Kong film poster for ''Police Story''
| traditional = 警察故事
| traditional = 警察故事
| simplified = 警察故事
| simplified = 警察故事
Line 14: Line 14:
| cinematography = Cheung Yiu Cho
| cinematography = Cheung Yiu Cho
| editing = Peter Cheung
| editing = Peter Cheung
| distributor = [[Golden Harvest]]<br />[[Media Asia Group]]
| distributor = [[Orange Sky Golden Harvest|Golden Harvest]]<br />[[Media Asia Entertainment Group|Media Asia Group]]
| released = {{Start date|1985|12|14|df=y}}
| released = {{Film date|1985|12|14|Hong Kong}}
| runtime = 101 minutes <small>(Hong Kong)</small><br />106 minutes <small>(Japan)</small><br />99 minutes <small>(UK)</small><br />90 minutes <small>(US)</small>
| runtime = 101 minutes <small>(Hong Kong)</small><br />106 minutes <small>(Japan)</small><br />99 minutes <small>(UK)</small><br />90 minutes <small>(US)</small>
| country = Hong Kong
| country = {{Film Hong Kong}}
| language = [[Cantonese]]
| language = [[Cantonese]]
| budget =
| budget =
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}}
}}


'''''Police Story''''' ({{zh|t=警察故事|j= ''Ging2 caat3 gu3 si6''|p= ''Jǐngchá Gùshì''}}) is a 1985 Hong Kong [[Martial arts film|martial arts]] [[Hong Kong action cinema|action]] [[comedy film]] directed by and starring [[Jackie Chan]] and written by Chan and Edward Tang. It is the first of the [[Police Story (film series)|''Police Story'' series]] featuring Chan as a [[Hong Kong Police Force|Hong Kong police]] detective named "Kevin" [[Chan Ka-Kui]].
'''''Police Story''''' ({{zh|t=警察故事}}, aka '''''Jackie Chan's Police Story''''') is a 1985 Hong Kong [[buddy cop film|buddy cop]] [[Hong Kong action cinema|action]] [[crime film|crime]] [[comedy film]] written, directed by and starring [[Jackie Chan]] as [[Chan Ka-kui]].
It is the first of the [[Police Story (film series)|''Police Story'' film series]] featuring Chan as a [[Hong Kong Police Force|Hong Kong police]] detective named "Kevin" [[Chan Ka-kui]].


Chan began work on the film after a disappointing experience working with the director James Glickenhaus on ''[[The Protector (1985 film)|The Protector]]'', which was intended to be his entry into the [[Cinema of the United States|American film]] market.
Chan began work on the film after a disappointing experience working with the director James Glickenhaus on ''[[The Protector (1985 film)|The Protector]]'', which was intended to be his entry into the [[Cinema of the United States|American film]] market.
Line 30: Line 32:


==Plot==
==Plot==
The [[Royal Hong Kong Police Force]] is planning a major undercover sting called "Operation Boar Hunt" to arrest crime lord Chu Tao ([[Yuen Chor]]). Inspector [[Chan Ka-Kui]] (or Kevin Chan in some versions) is part of the operation, along with undercover officers stationed in a [[shanty town]]. However, the criminals spot the police and the ensuing [[car chase]] cuts through the hillside shanty town, vehicles destroying the shacks and causing large explosions. Ka-Kui persists in his chase, eventually following on foot as the drug lord attempts to escape in a [[double-decker bus]]. Ka Kui catches the bus and initially is able to hang on to it using an [[umbrella]], but is thrown off. He then manages to get in front of the bus and bring it to a halt by threatening to shoot the driver with his service [[pistol|revolver]].
The [[Royal Hong Kong Police Force]] is planning a major undercover sting called "Operation Boar Hunt" to arrest crime lord Chu Tao ([[Yuen Chor]]). Inspector [[Chan Ka-kui]] (or Kevin Chan in some versions) is part of the operation, along with undercover officers stationed in a [[shanty town]]. However, the criminals spot the police and the ensuing [[car chase]] cuts through the hillside shanty town, vehicles destroying the shacks and causing large explosions. Ka-Kui persists in his chase, eventually following on foot as the drug lord attempts to escape in a [[double-decker bus]]. Ka-kui catches the bus and initially is able to hang on to it using an [[umbrella]], but is thrown off. He then manages to get in front of the bus and bring it to a halt by threatening to shoot the driver with his service [[pistol|revolver]].


Later, Ka-Kui is reprimanded by Superintendent Li for letting the operation get out of hand, but is subsequently presented to the media as a model [[police officer]]. His next assignment is to protect Chu Tao's secretary, Selina Fong ([[Brigitte Lin]]), who plans to testify in court about Chu Tao's illegal activities. At first, Selina insists that she does not require protection, but after Ka Kui has a fellow policeman break into her apartment and pose as a knife-wielding murderer, she becomes more cooperative. After Ka-Kui and Selina leave her apartment later that evening, they are attacked by some street thugs, whom Ka-Kui is able to defeat with his [[martial arts]] skills.
Later, Ka-kui is reprimanded by Superintendent Li for letting the operation get out of hand, but is subsequently presented to the media as a model [[police officer]]. His next assignment is to protect Chu Tao's secretary, Selina Fong ([[Brigitte Lin]]), who plans to testify in court about Chu Tao's illegal activities. At first, Selina insists that she does not require protection, but after Ka-kui has a fellow policeman break into her apartment and pose as a knife wielding murderer, she becomes more cooperative. After Ka-kui and Selina leave her apartment later that evening, they are attacked by some street thugs, whom Ka-kui is able to defeat with his [[martial arts]] skills.


When Ka-Kui arrives at his apartment with Selina, who is only wearing [[lingerie]] and Ka-Kui's jacket, he is surprised by his girlfriend, May ([[Maggie Cheung]]) and her friends, who are throwing a birthday party for him. May becomes angry with Ka-Kui, shoving the [[birthday cake]] into his face. Not knowing that May would come back, Ka-Kui tells Selina during the shower about his differences with May hearing in. Ka-Kui later explains to May that Selina is a witness, but accidentally pulls May off her scooter instead. An upset May tries to leave the scene as Ka-Kui tries to reason with her but he lets go of her moving scooter again as she tries to get control and leaves the scene.
When Ka-Kui arrives at his apartment with Selina, who is only wearing [[lingerie]] and Ka-kui's jacket, he is surprised by his girlfriend, May ([[Maggie Cheung]]) and her friends, who are throwing a birthday party for him. May was angry with Ka-kui, shoving the [[birthday cake]] into his face. Not knowing that May would come back, Ka-kui tells Selina during the shower about his differences with May hearing in. Ka-kui later explains to May that Selina is a witness, but accidentally pulls May off her scooter instead. An upset May tries to leave the scene as Ka-Kui tries to reason with her but he lets go of her moving scooter again as she tries to get control and leaves the scene.


Meanwhile, Selina has discovered that the attack by the man with knife at her apartment was a sham, and so she decides to record over her confession that took place before Ka-Kui's burthday. She sneaks away while Ka-Kui is sleeping and is not present for the crucial court date the following day. The trial is a failure for the prosecution because Selina has tampered with the tape Ka-Kui used to record their conversations about Chu Tao; the tape instead plays an irrelevant portion of their conversation which Selina intended to sound vaguely sexual leaving everyone laughing at the end. Though Chu Tao is released on bail, he wants revenge against Ka-Kui. Using a corrupt policeman, Inspector Man (Kam Hing Ying), Chu Tao is able to frame Ka-Kui for the murder of Inspector Man. Now a fugitive cop killer, Ka Kui must try to catch Chu Tao and clear his name.
Meanwhile, Selina has discovered that the attack by the man with knife at her apartment was a sham, and so she decides to record over her confession that took place before Ka-kui’s birthday. She sneaks away while Ka-Kui is sleeping and is not present for the crucial court date the following day. The trial is a failure for the prosecution because Selina has tampered with the tape Ka-Kui used to record their conversations about Chu Tao; the tape instead plays an irrelevant portion of their conversation which Selina intended to sound vaguely sexual leaving everyone laughing at the end. Though Chu Tao is released on bail, he wants revenge against Ka-kui. Using a corrupt policeman, Inspector Man (Kam Hing Ying), Chu Tao is able to frame Ka-kui for the murder of Inspector Man. Now a fugitive cop killer, Ka-kui must try to catch Chu Tao and clear his name.


The action comes to a head in a shopping mall, where Chu Tao has an office. After surviving a murder attempt by Chu Tao's men to ensure her silence, Selina goes to the office to download incriminating data from Chu Tao's computer system. Chu Tao notices that the data is being dumped, and he and his men head to the shopping mall to intervene. Ka-Kui, who is monitoring Chu Tao's activities, follows. In the ensuing fight, Ka-Kui defeats all of Chu Tao's henchmen. The briefcase containing the computer data falls to the ground floor of the mall, but Chu Tao retrieves it. Ka-Kui, at the top floor, leaps off a ledge and grabs a pole wrapped in lightbulbs. He rapidly slides down the pole, smashing through the bulbs, crashing through a glass ceiling, and finally reaching the floor, where he violently apprehends Chu Tao but is held back humorously by his two friends Tak and Kim to stop him from delivering one final kick to Chu Tao.
The action comes to a head in a shopping mall, where Chu Tao has an office. After surviving a murder attempt by Chu Tao's men to ensure her silence, Selina goes to the office to download incriminating data from Chu Tao's computer system. Chu Tao notices that the data is being dumped, and he and his men head to the shopping mall to intervene. Ka-kui, who is monitoring Chu Tao's activities, follows. In the ensuing fight, Ka-kui defeats all of Chu Tao's henchmen. The briefcase containing the computer data falls to the ground floor of the mall, but Chu Tao retrieves it. However, Ka-kui, at the top floor, leaps off a ledge and grabs a pole wrapped in lightbulbs. He rapidly slides down the pole, smashing through the bulbs, crashing through a glass ceiling, and finally reaching the floor, where he violently apprehends Chu Tao but is held back humorously by his two friends Tak and Kim to stop him from delivering one final kick to Chu Tao.


==Cast==
==Cast==
[[Image:PoliceStoryPoster.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Japanese poster.]]
[[Image:PoliceStoryPoster.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Japanese poster.]]
* [[Jackie Chan]] as Sergeant "Kevin" [[Chan Ka-Kui]] ("Jackie" on UK and Australian releases)
* [[Jackie Chan]] as Sergeant "Kevin" [[Chan Ka-kui]] ("Jackie" on UK and Australian releases)
* [[Brigitte Lin]] as Selina Fong, Chu Tao's secretary (as Brigette Lin)
* [[Brigitte Lin]] as Selina Fong, Chu Tao's secretary
* [[Maggie Cheung]] as May, Ka-Kui's Girlfriend
* [[Maggie Cheung]] as May, Ka-kui's Girlfriend
* [[Chor Yuen]] as Chu Tao, Crime Lord
* [[Chor Yuen]] as Chu Tao, Crime Lord
* [[Charlie Cho]] as John Ko, gangster
* [[Charlie Cho]] as John Ko, gangster
* Fung Hak-on as Danny Chu Koo
* Fung Hak-on as Danny Chu Koo
* Bob Wall as Inspector Man (Only in Japan)
* Bob Wall as Inspector Man (Only in Japan)
* Lam Kwok-Hung as Superintendent Raymond Li
* Lam Kwok-hung as Superintendent Raymond Li
* [[Bill Tung]] as "Uncle" Bill Wong
* [[Bill Tung]] as "Uncle" Bill Wong
* [[Mars (actor)|Mars]] as Kim
* [[Mars (actor)|Mars]] as Kim
* Lau Chi-wing as Counsellor Cheung
* Lau Chi-wing as Counsellor Cheung
* [[Tai Po]] as Lee / Snake Eyes
* Tai Bo as Lee / Snake Eyes
* [[Kent Tong]] as Tak / Tom
* [[Kent Tong]] as Tak / Tom
* Wan Fat as Jacknife / Mad Wing
* Wan Fat as Jacknife / Mad Wing
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==Production==
==Production==
The film contained many large-scale action scenes, including an opening sequence featuring a [[car chase]] through a [[shanty town]], Chan stopping a [[double-decker bus]] with his service [[pistol|revolver]] and a climactic ending fight scene in a [[shopping mall]]. This final scene earned the film the nickname "Glass Story" by the crew, due to the huge number of panes of [[sugar glass]] that were broken. During a stunt in this last sequence, in which Chan slides down a pole from several stories up, the lights near the pole had heated it considerably, resulting in Chan suffering [[Burn#Classification by degree|second-degree burns]], particularly to his hands, as well as a back injury and dislocation of his pelvis upon landing.
The film contained many large-scale action scenes, including an opening sequence featuring a [[car chase]] through a [[shanty town]], Chan stopping a [[double-decker bus]] with his service [[pistol|revolver]] and a climactic ending fight scene in a [[shopping mall]]. This final scene earned the film the nickname "Glass Story" by the crew, due to the huge number of panes of [[sugar glass]] that were broken. During a stunt in this last sequence, in which Chan slides down a pole from several stories up, the lights near the pole had heated it considerably, resulting in Chan suffering [[Burn#Classification by degree|second degree burns]], particularly to his hands, as well as a back injury and dislocation of his pelvis upon landing.


Edward Tang, the screenwriter for this film and many others, does not work the same way normal Hollywood screenwriters work. Bey Logan pointed out that in America, the screenwriter has an idea and goes to discuss it with producers and directors prior to production. In this case, Chan wants shopping mall, comedy, the village, and the bus, so Tang places those elements in where he feels it suits the overall storyline, tying it up together to make it all work. In other words, the Hong Kong screenwriter takes the director's ideas and makes it all work for the film.
Edward Tang, the screenwriter for this film and many others, does not work the same way normal Hollywood screenwriters work. Bey Logan pointed out that in America, the screenwriter has an idea and goes to discuss it with producers and directors prior to production. In this case, Chan wants shopping mall, comedy, the village, and the bus, so Tang places those elements in where he feels it suits the overall storyline, tying it up together to make it all work. In other words, the Hong Kong screenwriter takes the director's ideas and makes it all work for the film.
Line 85: Line 87:
==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
The English version of this film received a rating of 83% on review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]], based on 12 reviews.<ref>{{cite web |title = Police Story (1985) |url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/police_story/ |work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate = August 25, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Film Festival; 'Jackie Chan's Police Story'|publisher= [[The New York Times]]|date=26 September 1987|url= http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/26/movies/film-festival-jackie-chan-s-police-story.html|accessdate=2010-12-14|first=Vincent|last=Canby}}</ref>
The English version of this film received a rating of 83% on review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]], based on 12 reviews.<ref>{{cite web |title = Police Story (1985) |url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/police_story/ |work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate = August 25, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Film Festival; 'Jackie Chan's Police Story'|publisher= [[The New York Times]]|date=26 September 1987|url= http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/26/movies/film-festival-jackie-chan-s-police-story.html|accessdate=2010-12-14|first=Vincent|last=Canby}}</ref>
The ''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out Film Guide]]'' has stated that "In Jackie Chan-land vehicles are for trashing small buildings, while big buildings are for falling off or sliding down... The likeable and graceful Chan directs, sings and performs jaw-dropping stunts."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/71249/police_story.html|publisher=''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out Film Guide]]''|accessdate=August 25, 2010|title=Police Story Review}}</ref> Film website [http://www.dvd.net.au dvd.net] has given a favorable review, concluding that "Police Story is a decent action flick that features incredible martial arts action as well as Chan's signature death defying stunts."<ref>http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=4958</ref> Film website [[Cinema Blend]] has panned it in a review, commenting that the "extreme, guerilla-style filmmaking is unnerving to say the least" and that "the movie
The ''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out Film Guide]]'' has stated that "In Jackie Chan-land vehicles are for trashing small buildings, while big buildings are for falling off or sliding down... The likeable and graceful Chan directs, sings and performs jaw-dropping stunts."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/71249/police_story.html|publisher=''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out Film Guide]]''|accessdate=August 25, 2010|title=Police Story Review}}</ref> Film website [http://www.dvd.net.au dvd.net] has given a favorable review, concluding that "Police Story is a decent action flick that features incredible martial arts action as well as Chan's signature death defying stunts."<ref>http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=4958</ref> Film website [[Cinema Blend]] has panned it in a review, commenting that the "extreme, guerrilla style filmmaking is unnerving to say the least" and that "the movie
falls a bit short" for those who are not fans of the genre.<ref>http://www.cinemablend.com/dvds/Jackie-Chan-s-Police-Story-Collector-s-Edition-1993.html</ref>
falls a bit short" for those who are not fans of the genre.<ref>http://www.cinemablend.com/dvds/Jackie-Chan-s-Police-Story-Collector-s-Edition-1993.html</ref>


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[[Category:1985 films]]
[[Category:1985 films]]
[[Category:1980s action films]]
[[Category:1980s action films]]
⚫
[[Category:1980s crime films]]
[[Category:1980s comedy films]]
[[Category:1980s comedy films]]
[[Category:Hong Kong action films]]
[[Category:Hong Kong action films]]
[[Category:Action comedy films]]
[[Category:Action comedy films]]
⚫
[[Category:Criminal comedy films]]
[[Category:Police detective films]]
[[Category:Police detective films]]
[[Category:Cantonese-language films]]
[[Category:Cantonese-language films]]
⚫
[[Category:Martial arts films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Jackie Chan]]
[[Category:Films directed by Jackie Chan]]
[[Category:Best Film HKFA]]
[[Category:Best Film HKFA]]
[[Category:Golden Harvest films]]
[[Category:Golden Harvest films]]
[[Category:Media Asia films]]
[[Category:Films set in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Films set in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hong Kong]]
⚫
[[Category:Martial arts comedy films]]


[[de:Police Story]]
[[de:Police Story]]

Revision as of 13:15, 11 June 2012

Police Story
Hong Kong film poster for Police Story
Directed byJackie Chan
Written byJackie Chan
Edward Tang
Produced byRaymond Chow
Leonard Ho
StarringJackie Chan
Brigitte Lin
Maggie Cheung
Charlie Cho
CinematographyCheung Yiu Cho
Edited byPeter Cheung
Music byMichael Lai
Tang Siu Lam
Distributed byGolden Harvest
Media Asia Group
Release date
  • December 14, 1985 (1985-12-14) (Hong Kong)
Running time
101 minutes (Hong Kong)
106 minutes (Japan)
99 minutes (UK)
90 minutes (US)
CountryTemplate:Film Hong Kong
LanguageCantonese
Box officeHK $26,626,760

Police Story (Chinese: 警察故事, aka Jackie Chan's Police Story) is a 1985 Hong Kong buddy cop action crime comedy film written, directed by and starring Jackie Chan as Chan Ka-kui.

It is the first of the Police Story film series featuring Chan as a Hong Kong police detective named "Kevin" Chan Ka-kui.

Chan began work on the film after a disappointing experience working with the director James Glickenhaus on The Protector, which was intended to be his entry into the American film market.

Police Story was a huge success in East Asia. It won the Best Film award at the 1986 Hong Kong Film Awards. According to Chan's autobiography, he considers the film his best in terms of action.

Plot

The Royal Hong Kong Police Force is planning a major undercover sting called "Operation Boar Hunt" to arrest crime lord Chu Tao (Yuen Chor). Inspector Chan Ka-kui (or Kevin Chan in some versions) is part of the operation, along with undercover officers stationed in a shanty town. However, the criminals spot the police and the ensuing car chase cuts through the hillside shanty town, vehicles destroying the shacks and causing large explosions. Ka-Kui persists in his chase, eventually following on foot as the drug lord attempts to escape in a double-decker bus. Ka-kui catches the bus and initially is able to hang on to it using an umbrella, but is thrown off. He then manages to get in front of the bus and bring it to a halt by threatening to shoot the driver with his service revolver.

Later, Ka-kui is reprimanded by Superintendent Li for letting the operation get out of hand, but is subsequently presented to the media as a model police officer. His next assignment is to protect Chu Tao's secretary, Selina Fong (Brigitte Lin), who plans to testify in court about Chu Tao's illegal activities. At first, Selina insists that she does not require protection, but after Ka-kui has a fellow policeman break into her apartment and pose as a knife wielding murderer, she becomes more cooperative. After Ka-kui and Selina leave her apartment later that evening, they are attacked by some street thugs, whom Ka-kui is able to defeat with his martial arts skills.

When Ka-Kui arrives at his apartment with Selina, who is only wearing lingerie and Ka-kui's jacket, he is surprised by his girlfriend, May (Maggie Cheung) and her friends, who are throwing a birthday party for him. May was angry with Ka-kui, shoving the birthday cake into his face. Not knowing that May would come back, Ka-kui tells Selina during the shower about his differences with May hearing in. Ka-kui later explains to May that Selina is a witness, but accidentally pulls May off her scooter instead. An upset May tries to leave the scene as Ka-Kui tries to reason with her but he lets go of her moving scooter again as she tries to get control and leaves the scene.

Meanwhile, Selina has discovered that the attack by the man with knife at her apartment was a sham, and so she decides to record over her confession that took place before Ka-kui’s birthday. She sneaks away while Ka-Kui is sleeping and is not present for the crucial court date the following day. The trial is a failure for the prosecution because Selina has tampered with the tape Ka-Kui used to record their conversations about Chu Tao; the tape instead plays an irrelevant portion of their conversation which Selina intended to sound vaguely sexual leaving everyone laughing at the end. Though Chu Tao is released on bail, he wants revenge against Ka-kui. Using a corrupt policeman, Inspector Man (Kam Hing Ying), Chu Tao is able to frame Ka-kui for the murder of Inspector Man. Now a fugitive cop killer, Ka-kui must try to catch Chu Tao and clear his name.

The action comes to a head in a shopping mall, where Chu Tao has an office. After surviving a murder attempt by Chu Tao's men to ensure her silence, Selina goes to the office to download incriminating data from Chu Tao's computer system. Chu Tao notices that the data is being dumped, and he and his men head to the shopping mall to intervene. Ka-kui, who is monitoring Chu Tao's activities, follows. In the ensuing fight, Ka-kui defeats all of Chu Tao's henchmen. The briefcase containing the computer data falls to the ground floor of the mall, but Chu Tao retrieves it. However, Ka-kui, at the top floor, leaps off a ledge and grabs a pole wrapped in lightbulbs. He rapidly slides down the pole, smashing through the bulbs, crashing through a glass ceiling, and finally reaching the floor, where he violently apprehends Chu Tao but is held back humorously by his two friends Tak and Kim to stop him from delivering one final kick to Chu Tao.

Cast

File:PoliceStoryPoster.jpg
Japanese poster.
  • Jackie Chan as Sergeant "Kevin" Chan Ka-kui ("Jackie" on UK and Australian releases)
  • Brigitte Lin as Selina Fong, Chu Tao's secretary
  • Maggie Cheung as May, Ka-kui's Girlfriend
  • Chor Yuen as Chu Tao, Crime Lord
  • Charlie Cho as John Ko, gangster
  • Fung Hak-on as Danny Chu Koo
  • Bob Wall as Inspector Man (Only in Japan)
  • Lam Kwok-hung as Superintendent Raymond Li
  • Bill Tung as "Uncle" Bill Wong
  • Mars as Kim
  • Lau Chi-wing as Counsellor Cheung
  • Tai Bo as Lee / Snake Eyes
  • Kent Tong as Tak / Tom
  • Wan Fat as Jacknife / Mad Wing

Jackie Chan stunt team

  • Chan Tat-kwong
  • Johnny Cheung
  • Danny Chow
  • Fung Hak On
  • Benny Lai
  • Rocky Lai
  • Sam Wong
  • Ben Lam
  • Chris Li
  • Mars
  • Pang Hiu-sang
  • Paul Wong

Production

The film contained many large-scale action scenes, including an opening sequence featuring a car chase through a shanty town, Chan stopping a double-decker bus with his service revolver and a climactic ending fight scene in a shopping mall. This final scene earned the film the nickname "Glass Story" by the crew, due to the huge number of panes of sugar glass that were broken. During a stunt in this last sequence, in which Chan slides down a pole from several stories up, the lights near the pole had heated it considerably, resulting in Chan suffering second degree burns, particularly to his hands, as well as a back injury and dislocation of his pelvis upon landing.

Edward Tang, the screenwriter for this film and many others, does not work the same way normal Hollywood screenwriters work. Bey Logan pointed out that in America, the screenwriter has an idea and goes to discuss it with producers and directors prior to production. In this case, Chan wants shopping mall, comedy, the village, and the bus, so Tang places those elements in where he feels it suits the overall storyline, tying it up together to make it all work. In other words, the Hong Kong screenwriter takes the director's ideas and makes it all work for the film.

In an interview with Chan, he discusses the stunt of sliding down the chandelier. As with the clock tower stunt from Project A (1983), Chan described his fear at the thought of performing the stunt. However, during the filming of Police Story, there was the added pressure of strict time constraints, as the shopping mall had to be cleaned up and ready for business the following morning. One of Chan's stuntman gave him a hug and a Buddhist prayer paper, which he put in his trousers before finally performing the stunt.[1]

Stuntman Blackie Ko doubled for Chan during a motorcycle stunt in which his character drives through glass towards a hitman. In the double decker bus scene, Jackie used a metal umbrella because a wooden one kept slipping when he tried to hang onto the bus.

Box office

The film grossed HK $26,626,760 at the Hong Kong box office.

Critical reception

The English version of this film received a rating of 83% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 12 reviews.[2][3] The Time Out Film Guide has stated that "In Jackie Chan-land vehicles are for trashing small buildings, while big buildings are for falling off or sliding down... The likeable and graceful Chan directs, sings and performs jaw-dropping stunts."[4] Film website dvd.net has given a favorable review, concluding that "Police Story is a decent action flick that features incredible martial arts action as well as Chan's signature death defying stunts."[5] Film website Cinema Blend has panned it in a review, commenting that the "extreme, guerrilla style filmmaking is unnerving to say the least" and that "the movie falls a bit short" for those who are not fans of the genre.[6]

Awards and nominations

DVD releases

In late 2004, Hong Kong's Intercontinental Video Limited released a remastered anamorphic widescreen Police Story Trilogy boxset in Region 0 NTSC format, featuring optional English subtitles and a choice of Chinese-language soundtracks. The original mono tracks on this release are out of sync. On 19 December 2006 the Weinstein Company released a Region 1 NTSC DVD (under their Dragon Dynasty label) with special features and deleted scenes (23 January 2007 in Canada). Hong Kong based company Kam & Ronsom Enterprise have announced that they will release the first three Police Story films on Blu-ray Disc in June 2009.[7] The first film was released on Blu-ray on 14 September 2009.[8]

Influence

  • The shanty town chase inspired a similar sequence in Bad Boys II. There's also a similar scene in the 2004 Thai film, Born to Fight.
  • Jackie Chan fan Brandon Lee paid homage in his film Rapid Fire by filming a similar sequence from the mall fight scene, in which Jackie's character rams a villain with a motorcycle, through multiple layers of glass.
  • The scene where Chan stops a bus in Police Story, inspired a similar scene in the Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell film Tango & Cash.
  • Between 1994 and 2004, the Hong Kong TV series Police Report adopted the Police Story theme song sung by Jackie Chan, as its own theme. Televised job advertisements for the Hong Kong Police also adopted segments of the song.

Sequels

Main article: Police Story (film series)

Police Story 2

Main article: Police Story 2

Police Story 2 (Chinese: 警察故事２), made in 1988, features many of the same actors reprising their roles from the original. The story picks up with Chan Ka-Kui demoted to traffic cop for causing so much damage in his apprehension of Chu. Chu has been released from prison on the pretense that he is terminally ill, and Chu and his clan continue to harass Chan and his girlfriend May as Chan gets reinstated to the detective unit when criminal bombers begin extorting money from businessmen.

Police Story 3: Super Cop

Main article: Police Story 3: Super Cop

Police Story 3 (Chinese: 警察故事３超級警察, or Supercop) was made in 1992. Michelle Yeoh joins the cast, portraying a police officer from Mainland China. The story involves Chan and Yeoh's characters going undercover to break up a drug smuggling ring. The action moves from China to Kuala Lumpur, where Chan's girlfriend May is kidnapped. The film marks the last appearance of Maggie Cheung as May. Michelle Yeoh reprises her role in the spin-off, Project S (1993). Dimension Films released Police Story 3 in the US in 1996 under the name of Supercop with some edits to the film, the complete replacement of all music and sound effects, and English dubbing.

Police Story 4: First Strike

Main article: Police Story 4: First Strike

Police Story 4 (Chinese: 簡單任務 or Jackie Chan's First Strike), made in 1996, is the only film in the Police Story series made partially in English. The action shifts away from Hong Kong and East Asia, with a globe trekking espionage plot, lending the film the air of a James Bond adventure. New Line Cinema's US release contained several alterations. Filmed on location in Ukraine and Australia, the film also marks the last appearance of Bill Tung, who plays Chan's superior in the series.

New Police Story

Main article: New Police Story

New Police Story (Chinese: 新警察故事), made in 2004, is a reboot of the Police Story series. Chan portrays a disgraced detective named Wing, and acts alongside younger Hong Kong actors including Nicholas Tse, Charlene Choi and Daniel Wu. The story features a more dramatic focus, taking a darker and more serious tone.

See also

References

  1. ^ Police Story, Jackie Chan interview, Bey Logan Audio Commentary (DVD featurette) (DVD). Hong Kong Legends, UK. 1985 (film), 2001 (DVD). {{cite AV media}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Police Story (1985)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  3. ^ Canby, Vincent (26 September 1987). "Film Festival; 'Jackie Chan's Police Story'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
  4. ^ "Police Story Review". Time Out Film Guide. Retrieved August 25, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=4958
  6. ^ http://www.cinemablend.com/dvds/Jackie-Chan-s-Police-Story-Collector-s-Edition-1993.html
  7. ^ "Bruce Lee hits Blu-ray Disc". The Hollywood Reporter. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) [dead link]
  8. ^ YESASIA: Police Story (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
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