| Supercop
|
 |
||||||||||
Another episode in the Police Story series, Supercop stars Jackie once again as the police detective extraodinaire. This film is one of Jackie's more fun, action-packed movies with a decent plot to match. Also co-starring Michelle Yeoh (my favorite female Hong Kong actress) as the Chinese Head Inspector of Defense, Jackie and Michelle are set out together on a joint mission from Hong Kong and China to stop a drug-running crime ring. This was Jackie's second hit to show on the American big screen, released in the states about a year and a half after Rumble in the Bronx. Our story begins with an argument between the Police Chief (played by the same actor playing the Chief/Head Inspector in many other Chan flicks, I'll find his name later) and Uncle Bill (once again played by the lovable Uncle Bill). The Royal Hong Kong Police have decided to intercept a prison break for a man called Panther, the brother of drug ring that they are trying to catch. The plan is to slip in an undercover cop to save Panther from being captured (therefore earning his trust) and to get their undercover man closer to the drug ring for a bust. The Chief thinks that Jackie is the best man for the job (Jackie overhears the argument), but Uncle Bill says it's too dangerous. Jackie begs Uncle Bill to assign him to the mission, and finally he agrees. Jackie goes to China to meet Michelle Yeoh, and so the mission begins. The Kung Fu in this film ranges from good to excellent in this movie. There are several scenes where Jackie just moves, bends, and spins unbelievably fast, sending punches and kicks at lightning speed. Early in the movie, Jackie fights a drill instructor from the Chinese Police just for fun, and the two really beat the heck out of each other for a few minutes. Michelle's Kung Fu is good in this one too, but I was more impressed with her acrobatics, as I'd never seen her do some of the flips, jumps, and rolls without strings like she did in this film. There are lots of things that one could mention about this film. Not only is there great Kung Fu and a really good storyline, but the stunts are absolutely incredible, even for Jackie. In this film, Jackie does his normal routine of jumping over cars and such, but he also falls down a ravine, survives a huge explosion, and hangs from a helicopter ladder for about 10 minutes. There's also some great stunts on top of a freight train. Michelle has her own share of really great stunts, including some great Kung Fu moves with chopsticks, jumping on and off a moving truck, and riding a motorcycle at about 30 MPH and jumping the cycle on top of a moving freight train. Really amazing stuff, especially for Michelle. One thing that really surprised me about this movie was the music. I think that there had to have been a totally different soundtrack for the American release. The movie has the usual synth/orchestrated music as in other Chan films of late, but there's also some strange gangster rap music that doesn't quite sit right in the film, as well as a "Supercop" song by Devo. Yes, that's right, I said Devo. Another mentionable tidbit is the remix of "Kung Fu Fighting" featuring the vocal talents of Tom Jones. Yes, that's right, I said Tom Jones. What is up with this soundtrack, I have no idea. I'll find out what rappers were on it soon and update this review. All in all, Supercop is a great film. There's good action, good stunts, good story, and good comedy too. Michelle and Jackie work really great together, and I wish that they'd do another film together, maybe with Samo Hung co-starring and/or directing. Anyone who liked Rumble in the Bronx or Operation Condor is encouraged to check this one out. |
|||||||||||
