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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) |
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