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Project
A |
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review | notes | awards | availability | also
see | |
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Team Supreme: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao in Project
A. |
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Chinese: |
A計劃 |
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Year: |
1984 |
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Director: |
Jackie
Chan |
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Producer: |
Leonard
Ho Koon-Cheung |
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Cast: |
Jackie Chan, Sammo
Hung Kam-Bo, Yuen Biao,
Wong Man-Ying, Dick Wei, Kwan Hoi-San,
Mars, Tai
Bo, Lee Hoi-Sang, Lau Hak-Suen, John Cheung Ng-Long, Wu Ma |
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The
Skinny: |
Jackie
Chan's death defying, stunt-driven style of martial arts choreography
gets an early showcase in the fun-filled eighties romp Project
A. |
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Review by
Calvin
McMillin: |
It's
turn of the century Hong Kong, and Jackie Chan stars as Dragon Ma,
a courageous wiseacre working for the Coast Guard. Throughout the
course of the movie, our hero eventually teams up with Sammo Hung
and Yuen Biao to take down a group of nefarious pirates led by Dick
Wei, who seems to be the scariest-looking, yet altogether nicest
pirate in cinema history. And that's pretty much all there is to
know, or to tell for that matter, in terms of a plot synopsis for
Project A, an early stunt extravaganza from actor-director
Jackie Chan. As will become the norm for Chan, this movie's light
on plot and high on action.
However, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Though the film lacks depth, a healthy dose of that Jackie Chan
magic is sprinkled throughout Project A to keep the viewer's
attention. The film is a must-see for Jackie's fans, as some of
his most famous stunts are featured in this filmthe clock
tower sequence being the standout. Though the weak script could
have made the film a real drag, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao help keep Project A from sinking. Usually I wouldn't recommend a film
that cared so little for plot, but a Jackie Chan movie is the exception
that disproves the rule. (Calvin McMillin 2003) |
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Notes: |
Jackie's
clock tower stunt is a direct lift from Harold Lloyd's Safety
Last. If you pay close attention, you can see that there is
more than one take of that stunt. Two are shown in the scene (notice
how Jackie's character falls differently each time). The third
take appears during the credits.
In even some of the
more famous sequences, Jackie Chan was doubled. Yes, you heard
me right. Hit the pause button on your DVD remote and see for
yourself.
Purchased by Disney
and dubbed, but thankfully not re-titled Legend of Project
A. Sadly, Disney's version lacks outtakes.
For a full report on any
cuts and changes made to the US version of this film, as well
as other Asian films purchased by Disney/Miramax, visit the Web
Alliance for the Respectful Treatment of Asian Cinema. |
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Awards: |
4th Annual Hong
Kong Film Awards
Winner - Best Action Design (Jackie Chan's Stuntmen Association)
Nomination - Best Actor (Jackie
Chan) |
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Availability: |
DVD
(Hong Kong)
Region 0 NTSC
Joy Sales
16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Cantonese and Mandarin Language Tracks
Dolby Digital 5.1 / DTS 5.1
Removable English and Chinese Subtitles
*Also Available on Blu-ray Disc |
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Also
see: |
Project A Part II (1987) |
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image courtesy of
Mega Star Video Distribution (HK), Ltd. |
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LoveHKFilm.com
Copyright ©2002-2017 Ross Chen
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