Crime Story (Review)

This film is more “real” than any other Jackie Chan film all the way up to The Shinjuku Incident of last year. That’s not necessarily a good thing.

Essentially a police procedural that tries to tackle the kidnapping problem faced in Hong Kong, where bigwigs and high rollers are frequently taken and ransomed off for comparatively huge sums.

Where the bad guys aren’t paid, or if the good guys try to get tricky the kidnapped guy is often simply killed. A fine line to walk.

Walking that line in Crime Story is Jackie as a cop on the case of a kidnapping that went wrong, leading to the death and serious injury of two cops. Getting in the way of his diligent work is a big fat dirty cop who is played way too obviously as such to be realistic, or maybe Jackie’s character was just a dumb ass and doesn’t twig to his constant meddling and tampering.

The whole thing is too realistic to be entertaining, and given Jackie is a cop there is more “bang-bang” than “watahhh”, (that’s guns over fists).

1/ Are there any “WOW!” fights?

The last fight is only OK, and it takes 80 damn minutes to get there!

2/ Are there any “WOW!” stunts?

Just some tricky falls and landings.

3/ Which Jackie is it? Serious / Whimsical / Cocky…

Socially conscious, (stifles yawn).

4/ Does he get to use Jackie-exclusive toys?

No. This is alllll business.

5/ Do stolen relics come up?

No.

6/ Are there hot chicks (that usually can’t act)?

No chicks.

7/ Is there a blooper reel over the credits?

No.

8/ Were there injuries on the shoot? Severity?

No. (Apparently.)

9/ Has he still got it?

Who can tell when he must hide his light under a bushel?

10/ Is it a “Jackie Chan” film, or just one he is in?

Too far a departure from the Jackie norm.

Final Rating – 6.5 / 10. There’s a reason there is no Crime Story 2.

About OGR

While I try to throw a joke or two into proceedings when I can all of the opinions presented in my reviews are genuine. I don't expect that all will agree with my thoughts at all times nor would it be any fun if you did, so don't be shy in telling me where you think I went wrong... and hopefully if you think I got it right for once. Don't be shy, half the fun is in the conversation after the movie.
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