In First Strike, Chan plays a Hong Kong cop named Jackie who is enlisted by the CIA to track down a missing nuclear warhead. The plot unfolds as Jackie works alongside various agents to investigate an illegal arms dealer. However, as he delves deeper into the case, Jackie begins to suspect the true nature of the operations and finds himself caught in a complex web of deception involving organizations posing as Russian intelligence. The film combines action and comedy, showcasing Chan’s signature martial arts skills alongside intense stunts and chase sequences
Review by Ben Dover:
Jackie Chan’s First Strike (1996) – 3.5 Bruised Stuntmen
Well, oil up my creaky joints and call me a human pretzel! Just when I thought I’d seen every way a man could defy death and common sense, along comes Jackie Chan with “First Strike” to prove that gravity is more of a suggestion than a law.
Our boy Jackie plays a Hong Kong cop who somehow ends up globetrotting faster than Carmen Sandiego with a jet pack. From Russia to Australia, he bumbles his way through a plot so convoluted it makes quantum physics look like a children’s picture book. Something about nukes, the CIA, and a shark tank – because why the hell not?
The story? You might as well ask for the nutritional value of cotton candy. It’s just an excuse to string together more stunts than a circus on methamphetamines. But let’s be honest, we’re not here for the plot. We’re here to watch Jackie turn everyday objects into weapons of mass slapstick.
The action sequences are more over-the-top than a drag queen’s wig collection. Jackie fights with ladders, scaffolding, and at one point, a goddamn coat rack. I haven’t seen household items weaponized this creatively since my late wife caught me sneaking a cigar in the basement.
The infamous underwater fight scene had me holding my breath longer than when I try to avoid my neighbor’s cat-themed small talk. And that bit with the stilts? I haven’t been that impressed by fancy footwork since Fred Astaire hung up his dancing shoes.
Now, let’s talk about Jackie’s “acting.” The man has two expressions: goofy grin and wide-eyed panic. But you know what? It works. He’s more charming than a basket of puppies and twice as likeable. His comedic timing is sharper than the knives he’s usually dodging.
Is “First Strike” high art? Hell no. Is it a rollicking good time? You bet your arthritic hip it is. It’s the kind of movie that grabs you by the lapels, slaps you across the face with a fish, and says, “We’re going on an adventure, grandpa. Try to keep up.”
So, if you like your action movies with a heaping side of “Holy crap, did he really just do that?” and don’t mind your brain cells taking a vacation, give “Jackie Chan’s First Strike” a watch. Just maybe don’t try any of this at home. My chiropractor’s already rich enough.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go ice… well, everything. Watching Jackie move like that made my joints ache in sympathy. Getting old is no picnic, but at least I never had to fight off bad guys with a stepladder.
Notes:
Gross worldwide:
$21,890,845 million
Budget
$1,500,000.00
Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes
The main cast of First Strike includes:
- Jackie Chan as Jackie, the protagonist and Hong Kong police officer.
- Bill Tung as “Uncle” Bill, Jackie’s superior.
- Jackson Lau as a CIA operative.
- Miki Lee as the female lead involved in the plot
Jackie Chan and Bill Tung’s fourth “Police Story” movie and last collaboration
Inspector Chan (Jackie Chan) never fires a gun
There are obvious James Bond references in the movie like the ski chase scenes. Inspector Chan even speaks about James Bond and 007
Critics Consensus:
Critics 57% Audience 56% Rotten Tomatoes
Great stunts and humor, but some plot problems….
Trailer:
Images:
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