Crime Story (Zhong an zu) (New Police Story) (Police Dragon) (1993)

93% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(7,965 ratings)

Internationally famed action star Jackie Chan tones down his usual martial arts pyrotechnics for a more traditionally dramatic role in this police drama. Crime Story finds Chan portraying a Hong Kong police detective, an honest cop guilt-ridden over his participation in a recent shoot-out. He is… More Internationally famed action star Jackie Chan tones down his usual martial arts pyrotechnics for a more traditionally dramatic role in this police drama. Crime Story finds Chan portraying a Hong Kong police detective, an honest cop guilt-ridden over his participation in a recent shoot-out. He is absolved of wrong-doing by the force, however, and assigned to protect a major real estate developer. Despite Chan's best efforts, though, the man under his care is soon kidnapped. The criminals demand millions in payment from the developer's wife, and Chan takes it upon himself to try and foil their plot and rescue the developer. His job is made more difficult by the fact that his new partner on the case, an esteemed detective, is secretly in cahoots with the criminals. Though there are a number of martial arts sequences near the film's climax, much of the action is more typical of Hollywood than Hong Kong, consisting of shoot-outs, explosions, and extended car chases. The ample amount of blood and the overall gritty tone combines with Chan's restrained performance to create a darker experience than most other Chan films familiar to American audiences. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Kirk Wong, Jackie Chan
Written By: Cheung Tsi-sing
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International

In Theaters: Jun 24, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Jul 18, 2000
Studio: Golden Harvest Company

Critic Reviews

Derek Elley, Variety
Jackie Chan takes a career swerve with Crime Story, a dark-edged cop thriller in which the star's stunts play second fiddle to plot and mood.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The imaginative fight and stunt sequences that fans have come to expect from Jackie Chan, while highly enjoyable, ultimately derail the film's credibility.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Mr. Nice Guy picks up a gun for Crime story
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
A slick, engaging police thriller and a curious but highly welcome change of pace for Jackie Chan.
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
Thanks to Wong's way with the storyline, we still feel the emotional pull of the material, and dread the outcome of this intricate game of cat and mouse.
, Time Out
Moody visuals, expertly paced montages and climactic sequences aboard a rusting sea-tanker and in a burning slum tenement all deliver above and beyond genre norms.
Fred Topel, About.com
Good serious piece for Jackie Chan
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Chan acquits himself nicely in this dramatic role.
Keith H. Brown, Eye for Film
On the plus side, Chan gets a rare chance to show what a good dramatic actor he can be.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
This wasn't really a bad movie, it's just not Jackie Chan.
Oz, eFilmCritic.com
Four words. Underplayed boring Jackie Chan.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
It's all so... Jackie, and if you're a fan, you won't be disappointed.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Crime Story proves that even as he gets older and eschews his clown persona, Jackie Chan is an action star to reckon with. Fans will not be disappointed.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

A welcome change of pace for Jackie Chan, as he pulls off a dramatic role under the expert direction of Kirk Wong.
Justin Y

A typical Jackie Chan film that shows he is an actor and not just a stunt man.The story is in the style of your ever-so-popular Hong Kong action adventure movie. Based off of a true story, Jackie Chan plays a cop that, not surprisingly, takes down the bad guys. The film… More
A typical Jackie Chan film that shows he is an actor and not just a stunt man.The story is in the style of your ever-so-popular Hong Kong action adventure movie. Based off of a true story, Jackie Chan plays a cop that, not surprisingly, takes down the bad guys. The film also moves at a fast pace and it is really easy to follow. Both positive aspects for the average movie goer. Of course this probably has you thinking that the story isn't deep. It isn't. But, that doesn't mean that it isn't good. Compared with other Jackie Chan Hong Kong films, this is one of the more serious stories. As mentioned earlier this film actually allows Jackie to show some of his acting chops, rather than just his fighting skills.This film isn't as action packed as other Jackie Chan movies, but it has its share of butt-kicking and stunt work. Unfortunately, you have to wait until the second half of the film before Jackie unleashes the entertainment. There is action in the first half, but the good stuff is obviously at the end. The last 15 minutes is filled with fire and explosions. While we are on the topic of violence, this is one of the more bloodier Chan films. This is a good thing. You want to see the blood after a brutal fight or shootout. What is even better is that Jackie Chan himself takes some of the punishment showing he is not invincible.The acting is the norm for this film. Not award winning, but not crappy either. You do get the usual over-acting at some parts, but that just keeps you from getting bored, if anything.Jackie Chan fans will want to see this, if they haven't already. This is definitely one of the classics.
Donnie D

Jackie Chan is no doubt an icon of his own and is know for his good sense of humor. In Crime Story, Jackie Chan gives us his best dramatic performance ever in a unrecognized classic. In Crime Story, Chan plays a special agent assigned to protect a wealthy business magnate, but when… More
Jackie Chan is no doubt an icon of his own and is know for his good sense of humor. In Crime Story, Jackie Chan gives us his best dramatic performance ever in a unrecognized classic. In Crime Story, Chan plays a special agent assigned to protect a wealthy business magnate, but when the businessman is kidnapped in a daring ambush, Chan teams up with a seasoned detective to crack the case...even though he suspects the detective is the crime's true mastermind! Obviously this make one interesting story as I kept finding myself more and more invested into the movie as the plot developed. Though I think people will be disappointed for the lack of martial arts and a lack of Jackie Chan signature humor in this movie. I have to say, for the few action sequences it has they sure were memorable. There a car chase, explosion, and Jackie Chan gun fight in building that's burning shouldn't disappoint Jackie Chan fans and action fans. Now since this is based around a true crime, I respect the way the film crew handle this story and did a good job of it. While I may not know exactly what happened, it respects the material is base on. Crime Story is a can't miss for Jackie Chan fans, while it may be different from most of his movies, you won't be disappointed.
Joseph E

I enjoyed it, but wasn't fascinated by it.
Patrick D

Yup, Jackie Chan pulls off a serious role. Although even if he isn't being goofy he still comes off as a little rambunctious... like a puppy. Bottom Line: Kirk Wong and Chan really pull off a gritty epitome-of-the-90s action flick with amazing action sequences.
Christopher B

See Jackie's more serious side, plus he's in a film with the guy from the notorious Run and Kill!