Being a big Jackie Chan fan, and trying to watch as many martial arts films lately, I was looking forward to seeing Police Story as I have heard a lot about it being arguably his best film. So I thought I would buy this film last week, to finally see what all the fuss was about. After watching it, I still don't know.
I will first start with the films highlights (yes, it does have a few). The opening bus/umbrella scene was very well done, and is a classic example of vintage Chan. That whole beginning scene wasn't bad, and remained entertaining at the very least. It was after this opener was over, when the film started to go down hill. What we have during the middle of the film, is just a lot of nonsense which included needless and boring dialogue and a totally stupid (but although slightly amusing) scene where Chan pretends to be fighting off an unconscious intruder. I think I remember one very short and average fight scene in this middle of this somewhere, but the majority of the film is just padded out rubbish that didn't keep me interested at all.
Which brings me to the last 10 or so minutes of the movie which involved a lot of glass being smashed in a shopping centre. While this did keep me interested (mostly because something was finally happening after all that nothingness) I did still find it a below average climax to a Jackie Chan film that I am used to. The main films highlight for me, came when the film was over during the credits as we say Jackie's first trademark out-takes session which was amusing and nice to see included. But overall, this didn't make up for my disappointed and the money I had wasted on this DVD purchase. I'm just glad I didn't buy the special edition..
I know a lot of people will disagree with me, and who knows, I may really enjoy this movie on a second viewing (that does happen a lot actually). But I think a lot of my disappointed from this movie was due to the amount of praise and build up I had heard before watching it. I think you would enjoy it more going in with an open mind having not heard any previous reviews or comments on its quality. But I still prefer most of Jackies later films.
I will first start with the films highlights (yes, it does have a few). The opening bus/umbrella scene was very well done, and is a classic example of vintage Chan. That whole beginning scene wasn't bad, and remained entertaining at the very least. It was after this opener was over, when the film started to go down hill. What we have during the middle of the film, is just a lot of nonsense which included needless and boring dialogue and a totally stupid (but although slightly amusing) scene where Chan pretends to be fighting off an unconscious intruder. I think I remember one very short and average fight scene in this middle of this somewhere, but the majority of the film is just padded out rubbish that didn't keep me interested at all.
Which brings me to the last 10 or so minutes of the movie which involved a lot of glass being smashed in a shopping centre. While this did keep me interested (mostly because something was finally happening after all that nothingness) I did still find it a below average climax to a Jackie Chan film that I am used to. The main films highlight for me, came when the film was over during the credits as we say Jackie's first trademark out-takes session which was amusing and nice to see included. But overall, this didn't make up for my disappointed and the money I had wasted on this DVD purchase. I'm just glad I didn't buy the special edition..
I know a lot of people will disagree with me, and who knows, I may really enjoy this movie on a second viewing (that does happen a lot actually). But I think a lot of my disappointed from this movie was due to the amount of praise and build up I had heard before watching it. I think you would enjoy it more going in with an open mind having not heard any previous reviews or comments on its quality. But I still prefer most of Jackies later films.