This review is updated with my thoughts on the 4K Ultra HD Remastered version of Police Story II.
After the superb 4K Ultra HD Remastered version on Blu-ray of Police Story 3: Supercop I discovered they now also have released 4K Ulta HD Remastered (1080p) versions of the first two in the Police Story franchise. And to avoid confusion these aren't 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays. They are normal Blu-rays but transferred from a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. Police Story 1 was a bit of a letdown since it didn't make the colours pop like Supercop did. However the image was clean and crisp. The image of Police Story 2 still doesn't make the colours pop but does offer a slight improvement on the first. Still it's clear to me that like with the first the original source is to blame. Especially in the darker scenes faces are blurred somewhat. If I had to guess this was done to hide the reflection of the lights used back then. The audio is of good quality and on par with the first.
Is there more to say? Yes this remastered version also features features the 121 minute cut of the film featured on the out-of-print Japanese Laserdisc. That means it has twenty minutes extra. Now normally I would applaud such a thing if it meant more action. Instead it's just more plot and comedy bits which are extremely effective still today. So the comedy I am in favour of but all the other extensions I personally could live without.
Edit 17-03-2020: So I discovered that my enthusiasm and passion for collecting Blu-rays has made me purchase Police Story II twice. Before I had bought the 4K Remastered version I apparently had purchased the Dragon Dynasty version of Police Story II and then forgot about it. Immediately upon discovery I popped it in the Blu-ray player and was shocked how poor the quality was. I mean it's a direct copy of a DVD version. The one thing I noticed quite quickly is the colour of the image. The Yellow trucks at the introduction for example barely look yellow. In the 4K Remastered version the colour yellow looks like the yellow paint is just sprayed on. If you had any doubts then I can wholeheartedly recommend the 4K UHD Remastered version.
Original review published on 11 February 2017
After reading many reviews and most of the comments on IMDB.com I must say that some people don't have a clue what they are talking about. I mean if you give a review of a Jackie Chan movie you don't have to talk about the plot (even if it is a good one).
Because most of the Jackie Chan movies are not about a plot, there is no message from Jackie for you to think about. At least this concerns the films he made before he was indoctrinated by motherland China. He is about the action, martial arts and dangerous stunts. The bigger the better. In short: mind blowing spectacle. He tries to show you different skills and stunts in each movie he makes and he has been managing to do this for a very long time. Naturally old age has caught up with him. Although it has to be said that old Jackie can do more than any average person on this planet.
So despite what you think of his political views he does deserve some credit. It is a real joy to watch him in action and furthermore he wants you to be entertained. So if you are giving a review of a Jackie Chan movie than talk about the action. Especially since this is where Police Story really shines at. This film contains the most memorable fighting scenes made by Jackie in his entire career. And that is saying something. In my opinion it is even better than Police Story 1 since it doesn't allow itself to be distracted by infantile comedy as much as in the first. (Edit 14-03-2020: In hindsight this quote needs some explaining. Now having watched the film again I need to correct myself somewhat. The comedy scenes in the first one felt a little forced as they were not really part of the story. I do know I have enjoyed those scenes before. Only to me they didn't evoke the same emotion as it once did.) But don't worry if you love the good old slapstick comedic bits. There are still plenty around. Even after so many years the action is amazing. It holds up like it has been made yesterday. It is far superior to his work in Hollywood (Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon)! I have been a fan of Jackie Chan fan since I can say Jackie Chan and I can be very critical about his work (especially his American movies).
But Police Story 2 is an action movie that deserves praise simply because it his one of his best, a real classic!
Because most of the Jackie Chan movies are not about a plot, there is no message from Jackie for you to think about. At least this concerns the films he made before he was indoctrinated by motherland China. He is about the action, martial arts and dangerous stunts. The bigger the better. In short: mind blowing spectacle. He tries to show you different skills and stunts in each movie he makes and he has been managing to do this for a very long time. Naturally old age has caught up with him. Although it has to be said that old Jackie can do more than any average person on this planet.
So despite what you think of his political views he does deserve some credit. It is a real joy to watch him in action and furthermore he wants you to be entertained. So if you are giving a review of a Jackie Chan movie than talk about the action. Especially since this is where Police Story really shines at. This film contains the most memorable fighting scenes made by Jackie in his entire career. And that is saying something. In my opinion it is even better than Police Story 1 since it doesn't allow itself to be distracted by infantile comedy as much as in the first. (Edit 14-03-2020: In hindsight this quote needs some explaining. Now having watched the film again I need to correct myself somewhat. The comedy scenes in the first one felt a little forced as they were not really part of the story. I do know I have enjoyed those scenes before. Only to me they didn't evoke the same emotion as it once did.) But don't worry if you love the good old slapstick comedic bits. There are still plenty around. Even after so many years the action is amazing. It holds up like it has been made yesterday. It is far superior to his work in Hollywood (Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon)! I have been a fan of Jackie Chan fan since I can say Jackie Chan and I can be very critical about his work (especially his American movies).
But Police Story 2 is an action movie that deserves praise simply because it his one of his best, a real classic!
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