Project A II ('A' gai waak juk jaap, 1987)
Poor Dragon Ma (Jackie Chan)...everyone's out to get him! Pirates are out for revenge because he killed their leader (see the first movie). A corrupt police commissioner wants to frame Dragon for a crime he didn't commit. A bunch of revelutionaries on the run try to help frame him too, since they've never met a police officer they liked. And let's not forget all the bad guys running amok in Ma's new turf who just want to kick his ass for trying to enfore the law.
You might get the impression that Jackie gets to suffer quite a bit in this one...and you'd be right! This is definitely one for the "make 'em suffer" crowd, as Jackie gets knocked around, dumped in a river, framed, beaten up some more, nearly drowned, nearly smashed, and oh yeah, has a building collapse all around him. Yes, Jackie must be insane, but he does suffer so well--and he gets to dish it out too, in some fast and crazy fight scenes.
The movie bops along at a frantic pace and has some hilarious scenes, mostly involving handcuffs (mrrrowl!) There's a cute slashy scene where Jackie and one of his friends try to hide the fact that they're handcuffed together -- "we're very close", they explain with cute smiles as they sit all snuggly together. Aw. But there's not much time here for any seriously slashy bits.
SUMMARY:
Overall rating: B+ I'm not sure I'd rank it as highly as some, because it's all a little dizzying and lightweight. But it's quite funny at times and so very uniquely Jackie that it's a must for his fans.
Droolworthiness: A- Oh, yum, Jackie looks lovely, especially in a beautiful tux with tails during the party scene. Swoooooon! And he gets all oiled and wet and sweaty at the end. And wears some really cute knickers.
Slashiness: B- for that one handcuff scene...nothing else of note, though.
Action: A- Lots of fighting, running, and stunts that'll convince you that Jackie surely has a death wish!
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