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Starring
:
Jackie
Chan
Michelle
Yeoh
Yuen
Wah
Kenneth
Tsang
Maggie
Cheung
Bill
Tung
Action
:
Sing
Ga Ban
Stanley
Tong
Producer
:
Willie
Chan
Edward
Tang
Director
:
Stanley
Tong
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POLICE
STORY 3: SUPERCOP (1992)
A.K.A.
- Police Story III; Supercop
Reviewed
by Tony Ryan
A
lot was expected of Jackie's 2nd sequel to his favourite film:
'Police
Story', and the directorial reigns were surprisingly
handed over to Stanley Tong. Younger than Jackie, it was only
the former stuntman's 2nd film as director, and as part of
taking the job, he insisted that the movie be shot in
synch-sound. Prior to this, all Jackie's films had been post
dubbed by a different voice actor.
The
style of the film is certainly different to the first two
parts, having a more international feel, being shot all over
south east Asia and incorporating various languages. The
action is also different, moving away from lengthy fight
sequences to shorter, more westernised stunts, gunfights and
explosions. Fortunately, with Jackie still in great shape, we
do get to see him pull off a few nice punching and kicking
combinations, most notably against Sam Wong (Body Weapon
choreographer, and former Sing Ga Ban member) near the
beginning of the film.
Much
has been made of Michelle Yeoh apparently upstaging Jackie in
the action stakes, however, while she is certainly impressive,
I still feel that Jackie comes across best in most of the
scenes. Everything we have come to admire about Jackie is
there: the power, skill, emotion and comic timing, making this
possibly his best modern day actioner of the 90's – or at
least after Operation Condor. I would have like more
hand-to-hand action towards the end, especially from Yuen Wah,
but what we do have is thoroughly entertaining.
A
follow up film with Yeoh as the lead was filmed a couple of
years later titled 'Project
S'. In the west it is commonly referred to as Police Story
4 - but is more of a spin off than a true sequel. While it
certainly features some great performances and a few action
highlights, it could have done with Jackie’s expertise in
the fight choreography. If those were improved upon, it could
have been a more worthy addition to the Police Story name.
In
all, this is another great slice of entertainment JC style,
and was one of his best performances before his physical shape
noticeably began to deteriorate in the mid-90's. Not up to the
standards of the original, but worth seeking out nonetheless.
Especially since Disney own the rights and have done their
usual cutting and dubbing job, thereby ruining another
classic.
Rating:
 
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