This
is a true sequel, with the same cast returning to play the same characters from
the original film, but things would get much looser in future installments of
the Police Story franchise. In New Police Story (#5), Jackie Chan plays
Chan Kwok-ming and in Police Story: Lockdown he portrays Zhong Wen, who is a Mainland copper rather than a
member of Hong Kong’s finest. Here he is still Chan Ka-kui of the most
dedicated, but not necessarily smartest officers on the Royal HK force. A lot
has changed since 1988, but the fight scenes will still fire up fans in Chan’s Police Story 2, which opens today in a
spiffy 4K restoration at the NuArt in LA.
Chan
is a dedicated cop, but his enthusiasm sometimes gets the best of him. That
resulted in some spectacular property damage in the first film that temporarily
has him busted down to traffic cop, even though he collared (and beat the heck
out of) the bad guy, crime lord Chu Tao. Rather gallingly, Chu is granted early
release on supposedly compassionate grounds. Not surprisingly, he frequently
has his goons stalk our man Chan. He can generally handle them, but it will
complicate his investigation into a gang of explosive extortionists. Their
thuggish harassment of his girlfriend May will also tax their relationship beyond
the breaking point.
Like
Police Story Uno, the first sequel
features some amazing fights. The playground jungle gym fight scene is
absolutely vintage Jackie Chan, but the climatic beatdown (with fire-bombs) at
the gang’s post-industrial hideout is a truly a dazzler. However, the second
film also has much better straight police procedural material, including a nifty
sequence in which Chan and the HKPD’s surveillance team shadow a suspect.
Chan
is definitely Chan in PS2, as well as
his character, Chan ka-kui. Arguably, the first three films in the Police Story franchise are probably most
responsible for his international persona (along with Armour of God). He gives up his body for our entertainment, but he
also gives as good as he takes in the classic action sequences. Yet, he also
develops greater rapport with Maggie Cheung, who is so sweet and innocent as
poor May. This time around, their chemistry together is genuinely endearing.
Of
course, it still the spectacularly moves and unbelievable stunts that make Story 2 such an enduring fan favorite.
At this point in his career, Chan would do anything to please—and the proof is
in this film. Required viewing for any martial arts and HK action fan, Police Story 1 and 2 both open today (3/8) in LA, at the Landmark NuArt.
