Police Story: Lockdown (2013)

aka Police Story 2013

Another reboot of the Police Story series, with Jackie Chan once again playing a different cop. It begins with a situation that's even more grim than before, then jumps back to show how events got to that point in time. Within that jump are further flashbacks showing how events got to that earlier point in time. It's less confusing than it may sound when written down, but the structure is perhaps the least of the film's problems because they do at least add depth to the principals, sometimes even putting a new spin on how we view them.
It's set largely in one cluttered location, but, alas, it's not an interesting one. To its credit it has a very different feeling than the previous film, but the Michael Bay car chase and South Korean-esque final third feel forced.

2½ calm talks out of 5

New Police Story (2004)

An unusually downbeat opening sets the tone for a Police Story reboot. I don't know why it needed a reboot, but at least it still has Jackie in the lead role. Except he's a different character, Inspector Kwok-wing. The grim feeling that kicked it off remains for a very long time, making the first 40+ minutes as much a hardship on the viewer as they are on the guilt-ridden alcoholic cop.
The villains are a gang of youths who treat life and death like a video game, awarding points for specific actions. Chan and his new partner (Nicholas Tse) try to track them down. The motivations of the primaries are foundation for a story of redemption, but it's somewhat stunted by its own gritty nature.

2½ damaged goods out of 5

Police Story 2 (1988)

Jackie returns as Ka-kui for more super-cop action, which follows on directly from events in the previous film. Someone he arrested previously is out to get revenge, interfering in the officer's personal life. Meanwhile, the struggling star is still trying to find a comfortable balance between his love life and his police duties. Not surprisingly, he ends up with both feet in hot water.
The story is two-tiered but yet again remains secondary to Jackie's trademark comedy and remarkably skilled martial arts routines, upping the danger level at every turn. The stunt team earned their scars on this one - the fight at the playground is a masterclass in how to edit an action scene.

3½ costly acts of heroism out of 5

Police Story 4: First Strike (1996)

aka: Jackie Chan's First Strike / aka: First Strike

Jackie is chasing down a missing nuclear warhead in First Strike. The stunts are as inventive and as frantic as ever. Jackie uses his environment well, even picking up a stepladder to beat the crap out of guys in a warehouse, which might be fun to try the next time you need some decorating done.

My version was the insulting 80 mins western edition (Hong Kong version is 110 mins). Despite the missing footage (30 mins!) it was easy to follow.

3½ seal hats and rubber sharks out of 5

Police Story (1985)

No one can take a kick in the spools quite like Jackie Chan can; he's the undisputed King of the martial arts action/comedy. In the first of the Police Story films he's on the trail of a crime lord, which is really just a premise into which he can weave some wonderfully inventive action set pieces.
The plot has him playing nanny to a female suspect, which puts strain on his relationship with girlfriend May (Maggie Cheung), but the real joy is in watching Chan put himself through hell to nail the perfect action shot. The film contains some of his most famous (and dangerous) stunts, including a truly memorable and jaw-dropping leap in a Hong Kong shopping mall.

3½ heads through glass out of 5