Crime Story (1993)


	Crime Story		Return to Review Archive - C
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	Year:	1993	Jackie Chan
	Director:	Kirk Wong Chi-Keung
	Cast:	Jackie Chan, Kent Cheng Juk-Si, Law Kar-Ying, Blacky Ko Sau-Leung, AuYeung Pui-Shan, Ken Lo Wai-Kwong, Tuan Wai-Lun, Chung Fat, Christine Ng Wing-Mei, Mars
	The Skinny:	Good cop thriller that stars some guy named Jackie Chan. Chan's serious acting is decent, and the film's execution is effective. The last hurdle: can you take the film seriously?
	Review by Kozo:	This film asks the question: are serious films with Jackie Chan-type action possible? Or, can Jackie Chan be believable in a serious film? Apparently, Chan would like you to think "yes", because he made this serious cop potboiler from King of Cop Potboilers Kirk Wong. Chan plays Eddie Chan, a brilliant but troubled cop who fights police corruption while embroiled in a kidnapping case. He's partnered with Kent Cheng, and the two hightail it to Taiwan to capture the kidnappers. However, it looks like Kent may be a double agent, which leads inevitably to...a prop-fillled action sequence! As a cop film, Crime Story delivers. It features the usual doses of heavy cop angst and a ripped-from-the-headlines story (it's based on a true kidnapping case). Kirk Wong handles all the angst and the action fine, but when the occasional acrobatic Chan moment occurs, the whole film seems to stand still. Seeing him run up a wall in the middle of an intense interrogation sequence just seems wrong. Crime Story isn't a comic book movie, but Jackie Chan's occasional crazy action belongs in a comic book movie. The result: a good movie with inappropriate action sprinkled throughout. Sure, it's fun, but is it right? On the other hand, Chan handles the drama decently, and revels in some scenes of intense emoting. While it's interesting to see him go all-serious for a full film, the intensity he displays seems no different from his histrionics in the Police Story films. Furthermore, with no happy Jackie Chan to hang with, there is the danger of fan alienation. Those seeking a Jackie Chan film would probably do well to check out something else, and those who want serious cop thrills might find Chan's presence jarring. Those who can handle the mixture should go home happy. (Kozo 1995/1998)
	Notes:	• Acquired by Miramax/Disney and released in the United States on home video. As per their usual modus operandi, the film was cut, though the original music score remains. • For a full report on any cuts and changes made to the US version of this film, as well as other Asian films purchased by Disney/Miramax, visit the Web Alliance for the Respectful Treatment of Asian Cinema.
	Awards:	13th Annual Hong Kong Film Awards • Winner - Best Editing (Cheung Yiu-Chung) • Nomination - Best Picture • Nomination - Best Director (Kirk Wong Chi-Keung) • Nomination - Best Actor (Jackie Chan) • Nomination - Best Supporting Actor (Kent Cheng Juk-Si) • Nomination - Best Action Design (Jackie Chan)
	Availability:	DVD (Hong Kong) Region 3 NTSC Joy Sales 16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen Cantonese and Mandarin Language Tracks Dolby Digital 5.1 / DTS 5.1 Removable English and Chinese Subtitles Various Extras

		image courtesy of Mega Star Video Distribution, Ltd.
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