Jackie Chan in the Police Story films: how martial arts superstar pulled off astonishing stunts in the action movie classics
- Chan mixes martial arts, comedy, and stunts to good effect, but it is for the latter that the Police Story films stand out
- Particularly memorable are scenes where Chan climbs a moving bus using an umbrella, slides down a pole exploding electric lights, and dodges firecrackers
Police Story and its sequel are nostalgic watches today for most viewers.
Back when the films were made, in 1985 and 1988, Jackie Chan was a much-loved local icon who represented the energetic, get-it-done values of Hongkongers. What’s more, the police are depicted as a non-politicised group of committed public servants who strictly adhere to police procedure – and are punished by their superiors if they deviate from the rules.
How the Hong Kong public’s perceptions have changed.
Capitalising on the success of Project A, which set the template for the mix of martial arts, stunts, and comedy that came to define Chan’s style, the Police Story movies saw him expand the dramatic qualities of his work. Part one still features cheesy slapstick comedy, but both instalments take a relatively serious approach to their characters, the story, and police work.
He plays with his imagination. There’s not a lot you can do to be creative with kung fu – you only have two hands and two legs
Both films feature Chan as Chan Ka-kui, an honest, good-natured cop who is forced into situations where he has to go outside the law to nab the villains. This brings on the ire of his superiors, who demote him, and even remove him from duty.