Police Story (1985) marked the start of Jackie Chan's adventures as Captain Zhong Wen and the many other names his character has gone by. Now in the 2010's Chan is back in a one-man-versus-gang hostage situation in Police Story: Lockdown.
The films plot and story is intriguing, a Die Hard hostage movie with a touch of mystery as the film keeps you guessing as to what the villain, Wu Jiang's motive is. The mystery of the motive and enigma's of the film are interesting enough to keep you watching but the reveals and answers to those enigmas aren't delivered as well. It's not that the resolve is bad its just a tad confusing, but maybe if you have seen and remember the past films of this series, or you are fast enough to read all of the subtitles, you may understand everything that happens in the end. My confusion was that everyone in the film seemed to know more than I did and so I think I probably got lost in translation with this one.
Jackie Chan is great in this film. Hong Kong's best known actor plays a gritty and at times emotional character. Chan brilliantly breaks away from the happy and smiley Jackie Chan role he has been some what type cast as. As well as delivering a serious performance, the 62 year old still impresses as he is able to perform the stunts you expect. Jackie shows no sign of slowing down.
Speaking of stunts, there aren't that many in this film. Those expecting a 2 hour martial arts fight sequence where Jackie Chan runs, jumps and fights to the death will be disappointed. Don't get me wrong there are fight scenes in this film and they get quite brutal at times, such as the cage fight. My point being that this is a Chinese, mystery, thriller with a lot of talking, so if you enjoy watching mysteries unfold and reading subtitles (if you don't understand Manderin) then this film is for you.
Which brings me to an issue of mine, the subtitles come and go far too quickly. This may just be me being rusty at my subtitle reading as its been a while since I've seen a foreign language film, but there are times where the subtitles appear and suddenly disappear again almost in a blink of an eye. This is especially noticeable in back and forth short bursts of dialogue between characters but I understand the subtitles have to translate what is being said at the exact moment, but nevertheless you do need to be on you toes with this one.
Overall Police Story: Lockdown is an average hostage movie with a great performance from Jackie Chan. Its a film for fans of Chinese cinema, mysteries and of course, Jackie Chan. If you are a fan of the Police Story series then I am sure you will enjoy this grittier instalment to the Action Comedy saga. But for me, I'm waiting on Rush Hour 4.
The films plot and story is intriguing, a Die Hard hostage movie with a touch of mystery as the film keeps you guessing as to what the villain, Wu Jiang's motive is. The mystery of the motive and enigma's of the film are interesting enough to keep you watching but the reveals and answers to those enigmas aren't delivered as well. It's not that the resolve is bad its just a tad confusing, but maybe if you have seen and remember the past films of this series, or you are fast enough to read all of the subtitles, you may understand everything that happens in the end. My confusion was that everyone in the film seemed to know more than I did and so I think I probably got lost in translation with this one.
Jackie Chan is great in this film. Hong Kong's best known actor plays a gritty and at times emotional character. Chan brilliantly breaks away from the happy and smiley Jackie Chan role he has been some what type cast as. As well as delivering a serious performance, the 62 year old still impresses as he is able to perform the stunts you expect. Jackie shows no sign of slowing down.
Speaking of stunts, there aren't that many in this film. Those expecting a 2 hour martial arts fight sequence where Jackie Chan runs, jumps and fights to the death will be disappointed. Don't get me wrong there are fight scenes in this film and they get quite brutal at times, such as the cage fight. My point being that this is a Chinese, mystery, thriller with a lot of talking, so if you enjoy watching mysteries unfold and reading subtitles (if you don't understand Manderin) then this film is for you.
Which brings me to an issue of mine, the subtitles come and go far too quickly. This may just be me being rusty at my subtitle reading as its been a while since I've seen a foreign language film, but there are times where the subtitles appear and suddenly disappear again almost in a blink of an eye. This is especially noticeable in back and forth short bursts of dialogue between characters but I understand the subtitles have to translate what is being said at the exact moment, but nevertheless you do need to be on you toes with this one.
Overall Police Story: Lockdown is an average hostage movie with a great performance from Jackie Chan. Its a film for fans of Chinese cinema, mysteries and of course, Jackie Chan. If you are a fan of the Police Story series then I am sure you will enjoy this grittier instalment to the Action Comedy saga. But for me, I'm waiting on Rush Hour 4.