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Project A
  |     review    |     notes     |     awards     |     availability     |     also see      |  


Team Supreme: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao in Project A.
Chinese: A計劃  
Year: 1984  
Director: Jackie Chan  
Producer: Leonard Ho Koon-Cheung  
Cast: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, Yuen Biao, Wong Man-Ying, Dick Wei, Kwan Hoi-San, Mars, Tai Bo, Lee Hoi-Sang, Lau Hak-Suen, John Cheung Ng-Long, Wu Ma
The Skinny: Jackie Chan's death defying, stunt-driven style of martial arts choreography gets an early showcase in the fun-filled eighties romp Project A.
 
  Review by
Calvin
McMillin:

It's turn of the century Hong Kong, and Jackie Chan stars as Dragon Ma, a courageous wiseacre working for the Coast Guard. Throughout the course of the movie, our hero eventually teams up with Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao to take down a group of nefarious pirates led by Dick Wei, who seems to be the scariest-looking, yet altogether nicest pirate in cinema history. And that's pretty much all there is to know, or to tell for that matter, in terms of a plot synopsis for Project A, an early stunt extravaganza from actor-director Jackie Chan. As will become the norm for Chan, this movie's light on plot and high on action.

However, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Though the film lacks depth, a healthy dose of that Jackie Chan magic is sprinkled throughout Project A to keep the viewer's attention. The film is a must-see for Jackie's fans, as some of his most famous stunts are featured in this film—the clock tower sequence being the standout. Though the weak script could have made the film a real drag, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao help keep Project A from sinking. Usually I wouldn't recommend a film that cared so little for plot, but a Jackie Chan movie is the exception that disproves the rule. (Calvin McMillin 2003)

 
Notes:

Jackie's clock tower stunt is a direct lift from Harold Lloyd's Safety Last. If you pay close attention, you can see that there is more than one take of that stunt. Two are shown in the scene (notice how Jackie's character falls differently each time). The third take appears during the credits.
In even some of the more famous sequences, Jackie Chan was doubled. Yes, you heard me right. Hit the pause button on your DVD remote and see for yourself.
Purchased by Disney and dubbed, but thankfully not re-titled Legend of Project A. Sadly, Disney's version lacks outtakes.
• 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:

4th Annual Hong Kong Film Awards
• Winner - Best Action Design (Jackie Chan's Stuntmen Association)
• Nomination - Best Actor (Jackie Chan)

Availability:

DVD (Hong Kong)
Region 0 NTSC
Joy Sales
16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Cantonese and Mandarin Language Tracks
Dolby Digital 5.1 / DTS 5.1
Removable English and Chinese Subtitles
*Also Available on Blu-ray Disc

Also see: Project A Part II (1987)
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image courtesy of Mega Star Video Distribution (HK), Ltd.

   
 
 
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