Crime Story (1993)

Certain actors help to create the genre of films they are best known for. In the case of Jackie Chan few people on this planet can do action comedies like him. With his combination of fantastic skills in the martial arts, a natural ability as a stun man and an innate sense of humor he is almost always fun to watch. The thing is actors are actually human beings and as such want to grow in their craft. They want to expand what they can do and which types of roles they take on. For Chan this placed him in several more seriously scripted films; Crime Story (1993) is one such film. Like so many of his best more comical work Chan plays a police detective, Eddie Chan. What places this role apart from most of his other work is this is a very dark film, based on a true story. Instead of relying on gravity defying martial arts this film showcases Chan’s acting talent. The first clue to this is the opening shoot out that uses guns instead of battling with whatever object just happens to be at hand. Don’t get this just because you see Jackie Chan’s name on the cover. Get it for the well constructed plot and acting.

Corrupt businessmen are not something specific to the United States. In Hong Kong a group of men feel that more direct action than protest is required. They form a cult like organization to kidnap and potentially kill those who they feel has conducted their business in an unethical fashion. This group pulls together men from completely different walks of life; people very unlike to associate together under more normal situations. Raymond Hung (Kent Cheng) is a senior detective in the well regarded special unit; the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau. Normally they would lead the investigation into the activities of the many crime families including kidnap and murder. This group includes men Hung should normally consider adversaries. Ng Kwok-Wah (Chung Fat) is the head of the Wo Lok Tong Triad. He rules his criminal empire with his brother Ng Kowk-Yan (Ken Lo). Also in this new cult is the director of a powerful brokerage house, Simen Ting.

Wong Yat-Fei (Law Hang Kang), is a successful businessman who has always considered his hunches were based on some extra sense that leads him to the right decisions. He had a suspicion that something was wrong and he is about to be taken. Previously, Wong had been kidnapped so he has a very real basis for his fears. Eddie Chan is assigned protection duty to keep the man safe. What was thought to be a kidnapping attempt turns out to be just a labor dispute and it looks like Wong is not a target after all. The false sense of security is soon shattered as Wong is really kidnapped later that day. A very large ransom is demanded with the cult stating that Wong will be dead of their demands are not met. Chan has only a short time to find the criminals and rescue his charge before he is murdered. The real downside here is Chan is assigned to work for Hung, one of the men he is looking for. Chan started out as a man obsessed, unwilling to take time off as suggested by the police psychiatrist. Now, with the clock counting down and unable to trust even his own partner he is a man on a mission.

While the name of director Kirk Wong may not be familiar to most American audiences he is an award winning and well respected Hong Kong film maker. This film is just one example of his taut, dramatic and action filled flicks. When considering a film like this we Americans have to be able to appreciate the stylistic differences that are present in the Hong Kong crime thriller. Here in the States a movie like this would come out more like one of the ‘Die Hard’ films. It would be big budget, filled with computer graphic effects and splashy. Over in Hong Kong the emphasis is more on the flow of the film. Naturally there are explosions, car chases, gun fights and martial arts battles but the focus is more on the story. It is over an hour before Chan gets to show off his martial arts skills. This is a dark film, concerned with the internal struggle that the main character is undergoing. The pacing here is slower than an American count part would be. More time is provided to build up the plot and explore the themes of corruption and obsession. The story was based on real events which do add to the film. This was originally intended as a Jet Li project. While still in the pre-production phase of the film Li’s agent was murdered by the Hong Kong Triads. Li was naturally upset and chose not to do a film about organized crime at that time. The film was also so dark that disagreements between Wong and Chan were frequent. Although un-credited Chan took over the direction but Wong was left as the director of record. Wong did set the overall tone of the film but Chan managed to make the film more of what would be successful over seas.

When most people think of Jackie Chan the image of a slightly goofy man comes to mind. After all he is one of the best around when it comes to physical comedy. He is able to take a pratfall or perform his martial arts routines in such a way as to always entertain the audience. Here Chan proves the old adage that an actor proficient in comedy can do drama. He plays it with a serious tone here. Chan explores the darker side of his character and is able to hold the attention of the audience. He still is afforded the opportunity to showcase his well known abilities but here Chan has to emote more than usual. The good news is he was up to the challenge.

The film is presented on DVD by the Weinstein Company in association with Genius Pictures and issued under the Dragon Dynasty label. The technical specifications here are far better than the previously released and now discontinued version by another studio. The video is a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer. The color palette is well done with no signs of compression flaws. The audio offers several choices. There is a Cantonese Dolby 5.1 and original mono sound track as well as dubbed English in Dolby 5.1. English subtitles are also provided. There is a commentary by Kirk Wong that is interesting considering the artistic conflict between him and Jackie Chan. Also included is an interview with Wong, another interview with writer Teddy Chan and some deleted scenes. While not the typical Jackie Chan vehicle this is a well done thriller that deserves watching.

Posted 08/01/07