When the first trailer was out, it confirmed the gritty tone that is different from the franchise. The movie is dark, gritty and humourless which made the audience and critics disappointed. What's my take? No doubt was I entertained by it. The 2013 version may be smaller scaled but it still manages to entertain and thrill by its decent pace and the mysterious motives of the villain.
The story: The plot and action are grounded. It works more to a crime thriller rather than an action thriller. Jackie Chan plays a new character, detective Zhong Wen. He enters a nightclub in search for his daughter. Little did he know, the nightclub owner hatches a plan to take the customers as hostages. But things are not what they seem to be. There are things that may be a little too coincidental. The whole movie is set inside the nightclub aside from some flashbacks and does seem a little low- budget.
There is still action. However, the action is different from the action in the franchise. It is grounded and the choreography is nothing fanciful. The few brief action scenes consist of car chases and brutal fight scenes. The explosive action in the climax seems a little forced; explosions out from nowhere and for sake of explosions. At least, Jackie Chan performed his own stunts. Acting wise is okay for a Chinese movie. Jackie did his best emoting the necessary emotions. The rest are border-line okay.
Overall: It is worth watching it, seeing a fresh take. Even Benny Chan's New Police Story is nowhere as dark as this is. Although this is smaller scaled and delivers less energetic action scenes, it is still entertaining to see Jackie Chan fighting his way to save the hostages. Would I want to see another Police Story? Sure, I doubt future movies will be as action-packed as the older movies. It is clear that Jackie Chan is ageing.
The story: The plot and action are grounded. It works more to a crime thriller rather than an action thriller. Jackie Chan plays a new character, detective Zhong Wen. He enters a nightclub in search for his daughter. Little did he know, the nightclub owner hatches a plan to take the customers as hostages. But things are not what they seem to be. There are things that may be a little too coincidental. The whole movie is set inside the nightclub aside from some flashbacks and does seem a little low- budget.
There is still action. However, the action is different from the action in the franchise. It is grounded and the choreography is nothing fanciful. The few brief action scenes consist of car chases and brutal fight scenes. The explosive action in the climax seems a little forced; explosions out from nowhere and for sake of explosions. At least, Jackie Chan performed his own stunts. Acting wise is okay for a Chinese movie. Jackie did his best emoting the necessary emotions. The rest are border-line okay.
Overall: It is worth watching it, seeing a fresh take. Even Benny Chan's New Police Story is nowhere as dark as this is. Although this is smaller scaled and delivers less energetic action scenes, it is still entertaining to see Jackie Chan fighting his way to save the hostages. Would I want to see another Police Story? Sure, I doubt future movies will be as action-packed as the older movies. It is clear that Jackie Chan is ageing.