Jackie Chan 'Police Story' (1985) Movie Review
One of Jackie Chan's best films in his whole career
Jackie Chan is a household name in action cinema. He is known for his mind-boggling stunts and creative action choreography. Some famous movies he is known for in the West is his Rush Hour series or The Karate Kid. Chan also has a prolific film career in the East, one of them being the Police Story series. The Police Story series is one of Chan’s best film series due to its amazing actions sequences and the influence it has had over the film industry as a whole. In this article, I will be reviewing the movie that started it all: Police Story (1985).
The story starts off with the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in the middle of a sting operation to catch crime lord Chu Tao. Sergeant Chan Ka-Kui (Jackie Chan) along with other undercover officers are staking out Chu Tao and his gang in a shantytown. Eventually they succeed in arresting Chu Tao, albeit with a few car crashes and some casualties. To put Chu Tao away for good, Ka-Kui is tasked with protecting Chu Tao's secretary Salina Fong until the date of the court case where she will testify against him. Due to a series of unfortunate events, they fail to prosecute Chu Tao and Ka-Kui's girlfriend May thinks she was cheating on him with Salina. After Chu Tao is released on bail, he captures Salina to ensure her silence and Ka-Kui has to save her. However, he led him into a trap and he frames Ka-Kui for the murder of a fellow police inspector. Now the police are against Ka-Kui as he tries to find and capture Chu Tao to clear his name. This culminates into an all-out brawl in the mall with Ka-Kui, May, and Salina against Chu Tao and his men as Ka-Kui tries to arrest him.
I chose to review this film because it is one of my favorite childhood movies. I used to own the VHS tape back then and rewatched it over and over again. I decided that I wanted to revisit it and see how it holds up to today's standards. After viewing it, I found it a pleasant surprise because I found that this movie is still just as, if not more enjoyable than when I watched it as a child. The plot is almost simple to a fault, but that does not take away from the movie. Rather, I felt that the simplicity of the plot allowed the actors to showcase how creative their action sequences can be. What I enjoyed the most was definitely the stunts, the action choreography, and the comedy. Jackie Chan is a master in putting his own personal touch in any scene of this movie. Especially the final fight scene which perfectly blends martial arts, flashy movements, stunts, and the use of props. This turns it into an iconic fight sequence that stands the test of time.
Chan with the help of his stunt team shot the action scenes in a way that doesn't make use of too many cuts and instead opts for long continuous takes. This meant that the takes where the actors fall down after getting hit or thrown are usually in one take and is really happening. This is with many takes as well because Chan is well-known as a perfectionist. He will go through as many takes as he needs to have the perfect one. This is possible only because of Jackie Chan and his stunt team's extensive physical training so that they can perform as many takes as needed at the risk of their own body. This is perfectly encompassed through the final fight sequence ending with one of the greatest stunts in action cinema history when Jackie Chan slides down the mall lights to catch Chu Tao.
I felt that the acting in Police Story was a classic portrayal of 1980s Hong Kong cinema. The criminals were cliche and clearly meant to be perceived as the bad guys because of their aggressiveness and penchant for violence while the police force were the good guys. However, I felt that while the police force were supposed to be the heroes, they also have a lot trouble keeping the peace and their environment safe as well as the safety of the civilians around them. It almost seems as if Ka-Kui is just as aggressive as the criminals even though he is a respected cop in the police force and the media. Ka-Kui’s fights almost always cause a scene and damages the environment around them. He is also not without his vices because he is not afraid to do things to get his way. For example, to convince Salina to cooperate with him, he has a fellow police officer pretend to be an assassin sent to kill Salina. While this might be seen as a shameful act from Ka-Kui, it shows that he has personality and is not afraid to go off the beaten path to get things done. The female actresses are typical damsels in distress however, the movie does a good job of having them be involved in the film. They serve to either be involved with Ka-Kui's love life or thrown into glass cases or down the stairs by the enemies!
All things considered, the film is a classic piece of cinema. There are not much special camera angles that make it stand out against modern films. However, it makes up for that through the display of athleticism and martial arts of Jackie Chan and his stunt team. They get into all types of wacky situations like pretending to be an assassin or fighting with clothes hanger carts showing they they can utilize martial arts just as much as props to achieve peak physical comedy.
Police Story is a cult classic which I daresay stands the test of time. At first, I was reluctant that I would enjoy this movie years later as I become an adult but I was delighted to be proven wrong. This film is a must-watch for any fans of action and is one of Jackie Chan’s best films. I give this film a final rating of 8.5/10.
Thank you for reading my movie review. Do you agree with what I said? Disagree? Let me know in the comments and feel free to let me know your thoughts or anything I missed.
About the Creator
Tommy Yuen
A budding writer who loves fitness, martial arts, movies, books, shows and more!
Keep reading
More stories from Tommy Yuen and writers in Geeks and other communities.
Top 10 Martial Arts Movies
The Night Comes for Us (2018) This movie seamlessly blends horror and martial arts elements to create a film that boasts superb fight choreography as well as endless amounts of blood and gore. It stars Indonesian actors: Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais, who are both well-known from the critically acclaimed series The Raid. Joe Taslim plays Ito who betrays his gang to save a little girl. Iko Uwais plays the antagonist of the film, Arian who is tasked with the mission by the gang to kill Ito. Both of these characters used to be friends who joined the gang together to move up in the world. This is a rare occurrence where Iko Uwais plays the villain role and he nails it perfectly.
By Tommy Yuen3 years ago in Geeks
Silver Screen Magic with Mae West
American actress and singer Mae West became a popular film actress during the Great Depression. She started entertaining in vaudeville, then performed on Broadway, and finally went to Hollywood. She signed up with Paramount Pictures and made her debut in the 1932 film “Night After Night.” She also starred in musicals, comedies, and crime dramas. The American Film Institute named her one of the best classic Hollywood actresses.
By Rasma Raisters6 days ago in Geeks
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy
In the early days of YouTube, when viral content felt spontaneous and unfiltered, a handful of creators stood out by pushing boundaries most people wouldn’t dare to approach. One of the most recognizable names from that era is Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, widely known simply as Vitaly. His journey through internet fame reflects both the power of digital platforms and the consequences that can follow when attention becomes the ultimate currency. From Immigrant Roots to Internet Recognition Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was born in Russia and later immigrated to the United States, where he spent his formative years adjusting to a new culture and environment. Like many young people navigating identity and ambition, he gravitated toward entertainment and performance. However, instead of following traditional routes, Vitaly found his stage online. YouTube, still evolving in the early 2010s, offered creators freedom with few rules and limitless reach. Vitaly saw an opportunity not just to entertain, but to shock, surprise, and provoke reactions. This approach quickly distinguished him from creators focused on skits or commentary. The Prank Era and Viral Explosion Vitaly rose to prominence through public prank videos that leaned heavily on shock value. These weren’t simple jokes meant to amuse passersby; they were elaborate stunts designed to elicit strong emotional responses. His videos spread rapidly across social media, earning millions of views and placing his channel among the fastest-growing at the time. For many viewers, Vitaly represented a fearless, rule-breaking personality who lived without hesitation. For others, his content crossed ethical and legal lines. That tension—between admiration and criticism—became a defining feature of his public image. Despite the controversy, there was no denying the influence Vitaly Zdorovetskiy had on online content culture. His success helped popularize extreme prank videos and inspired countless creators to chase virality at any cost. Fame, Pressure, and Public Scrutiny As Vitaly’s audience grew, so did scrutiny. Viral fame often magnifies both success and mistakes, and Vitaly experienced that amplification firsthand. Several of his stunts attracted attention from law enforcement, leading to arrests and legal consequences that were widely reported. These moments marked a shift in how audiences viewed him. What once felt like rebellious fun began to raise questions about responsibility, influence, and accountability. The same platforms that fueled his rise now served as public records of his missteps. The story of Vitaly highlights a critical reality of digital fame: visibility comes with permanence. Every action, especially those captured on camera, becomes part of a lasting narrative that audiences revisit and reassess over time. Attempts at Reinvention Like many creators who achieve rapid fame, Vitaly eventually faced the challenge of evolution. The internet moves quickly, and audiences mature. Content that once felt exciting can grow repetitive or uncomfortable as social norms shift. Vitaly Zdorovetskiy explored different formats over time, including lifestyle content and motivational themes. These changes suggested an awareness that long-term relevance requires more than shock value. However, transitioning away from a persona built on extremes is never simple. Audience expectations can become a trap, forcing creators to choose between growth and consistency. Vitaly’s attempts to reshape his image reflect a broader struggle faced by many early internet personalities trying to redefine themselves in a more regulated and socially conscious digital space. The Cultural Impact of Vitaly Whether viewed positively or critically, Vitaly’s influence on online entertainment is undeniable. He helped define an era where virality often outweighed caution, and where creators tested the limits of what platforms would allow. His career sparked conversations about ethics in content creation, the responsibilities of influencers, and the psychological toll of constant attention. In many ways, Vitaly Zdorovetskiy became a case study for both aspiring creators and platform regulators. Today’s content guidelines, stricter moderation, and evolving audience standards owe something to the lessons learned during the early viral years—lessons shaped in part by figures like Vitaly. Lessons from a Viral Career The story of Vitaly is not just about pranks or controversy. It is about ambition, risk, and the complex relationship between creators and their audiences. His rise demonstrates how authenticity and boldness can capture attention, while his challenges reveal the costs of sustaining fame without boundaries. For emerging creators, Vitaly’s journey offers important insights: virality is powerful, but longevity requires adaptability, self-awareness, and respect for the impact content can have on others. Where Vitaly Stands Today As the internet continues to evolve, so does the perception of figures like Vitaly. He remains a recognizable name, particularly among audiences who witnessed the early YouTube boom. While his presence may not dominate the platform as it once did, his legacy remains part of internet history. Vitaly Zdorovetskiy’s story serves as a reminder that online fame is rarely linear. It is shaped by timing, choices, and the unpredictable reactions of millions of viewers. In that sense, Vitaly’s journey mirrors the internet itself—fast, chaotic, influential, and always changing. Final Thoughts The rise of Vitaly underscores both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with digital platforms. His career invites reflection on how far creators should go for attention and what sustainable creativity truly looks like. In an era where viral moments can define a lifetime, Vitaly’s story remains relevant—not as a blueprint to follow, but as an experience to learn from.
By Saboor Brohi 3 days ago in Geeks
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.