tntokmenko Review of New Police Story

New Police Story (2004)

Another fun Jackie Chan vehicle, but in the end too ridiculous and unfocused.

[6/10 · 26 February 2013]

The movie fluctuates its tone repeatedly, going from a gritty cop redemption tale and shifting gears into a mismatched buddy cop movie. The antagonists of New Police Story are a team of teenagers who at some points are presented like ingenious super-villains, then at other points like just stupid meandering kids. The problem is there are some incredibly unbelievable moments sprinkled-in which dissolve the impact of realistic and emotionally heavy scenes. To clear my perspective up, I do mean unrealistic within the realm Hong Kong standards. The original trilogy of Police Story movies felt balanced with the inclusion of comic relief, although for New Police Story the material at hand may be set-up too serious for such classic Jackie Chan antics. The whole warehouse scene for example was handled in the style of a cartoon. Considering how tragic the events that unfolded there were, I felt it very bizarre the antagonists were treated like comical super-villains. There is atrocious product placement in here as well, the worst offender being Lego which shows up abruptly, misplaced, and for too long. In all honesty I am nitpicking though, the movie is an extremely fun ride it's just too reminiscent of a careless Hollywood blockbuster than akin to a Hong Kong feature of this genre. The stunt work is absolutely top-notch, with many eye-popping moments that Jackie and his team are known for. The action sequences are especially well done and authentic to the original Police story Series, a must watch if only to see Mr. Chan do what he does best. Once again although New Police Story is a very fun ride, there are many elements which feel as if they either don't fit or don't belong. -6/10