Overview
A cop's first big bust turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- witty
- irreverent
- action movie night
- martial arts marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly celebrate the film's astonishing practical action choreography and Jackie Chan's distinctive physical comedy, despite some reservations about broad slapstick.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jackie Chan's police pursuit and climactic combat use cars, windows, stairways, and real-world spaces as choreography.
The film combines elaborate fights and chases with Jackie Chan's clowning and extended physical-comedy routines.
Kevin Chan is framed for murdering a corrupt police officer and must clear his name while avoiding arrest.
Car chases, storefronts, windows, stairways, and commercial interiors are integrated directly into the action design.
Films like Police Story, and why
Project A
Shares Hong Kong action-comedy energy, inventive stunt choreography, police-crime plotting, and physical comedy.
Drunken Master
Combines martial arts spectacle, comic timing, charismatic stunt performance, and crime-adventure momentum.
Supercop
Features a resourceful police protagonist, escalating organized-crime conflict, elaborate chases, and acrobatic action comedy.
Hard Boiled
Shares grounded urban settings, spectacular practical stunts, police intrigue, and a blend of danger with slapstick humor.
Movie Details
- Director
- Jackie Chan
- Release Date
- 1985-12-14
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (1106)
Cast
- Jackie Chan
- Brigitte Lin
- Maggie Cheung
- Bill Tung Biu
- Chor Yuen
- Charlie Cho Cha-Lee
- Lam Kwok-Hung
- Kam Hing-Yin
- Mars
- Kent Tong Chun-Yip
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Police Story about?
- A falsely accused Hong Kong police sergeant turns the city into a high-risk playground while battling a drug lord's conspiracy.
- What is Police Story like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Police Story as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Police Story violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Police Story as moderate.
- What did critics think of Police Story?
- Critics broadly celebrate the film's astonishing practical action choreography and Jackie Chan's distinctive physical comedy, despite some reservations about broad slapstick.
- Which films are like Police Story?
- Films with a similar feel include Project A, Drunken Master, Supercop, and Hard Boiled.
- How long is Police Story?
- Police Story runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Police Story?
- In United States, Police Story streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
