Jackie Chan’s First Strike (1997) – Review

Where to watch Jackie Chan’s First Strike

3 Stars

There isn’t much in the way of inventive story or captivating dialogue, but the stunts are enough to recommend (the fourth entry in Chan’s Police Story series) the highly enjoyable First Strike. Jackie Chan brings his tireless energy and sweet-nature to this James Bond like movie that contains half a dozen jaw dropping moments. The amount of precision choreography and nimble athleticism on display is awe inspiring. At a fleet 83 minutes First Strike hits hard and fast and provides a blast of cartoon violence, and slapstick comedy.

When members of the Russian mafia pose as KGB agents to steal a nuclear missile, the CIA calls in Jackie Chan to stop them. Jackie treks the globe-from the icy glaciers of the Ukraine to the pristine beaches of Australia-traveling by stilts, submarines and snowboards, encountering man-eating sharks and heart-stopping women. Whether in the air, on the ground, or underwater, the stunts are all done by Chan and his amazing team.

I still think that Supercop (aka Police Story 3) is the most enjoyable and awe inspiring of all the Jackie Chan films that were released in the USA during the 1990’s. But First Strike is another solid addition to the incredible body of work that the star was compiling during the era. It would be just one year later that Rush Hour would make Jackie Chan a household name in America, finally giving him the International fame that he always craved.

Director: Stanley Tong
Stars: Jackie Chan, Wu Chen-chun, Jackson Lou

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