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Inspector Chan (Jackie Chan) is a dedicated officer of the Hong Kong Police Force— multi-awarded,
popular and has a good track record in solving crimes and capturing criminals.
But he's also a fair and firm defender of basic human rights for both the criminal and his victims. His very popularity has made him a target for the Gang of Five, led by Joe (Daniel Wu) a brilliant but underachieving scion of a police superintendent. This gang, all scions of wealthy, powerful families, robs banks to challenge cops, lure them into a trap, and eventually kill them. Inspector Chan bites a bait which leads to the death of nine of his team members. To forget and ease the pain, Chan turns to alcohol and becomes a drunk but is befriended by Frank Fung (Nicholas Tse) who, disguised as a cop, persuades Chan to accept him as volunteer-partner in his quest for justice. The recovered Inspector re-enters the fray to do battle with his nemesis.
This is the latest in the series of the very popular Police Stories starring Jackie Chan. No
expense is spared and an attempt is made to make it as stunning as the Die Hard Series of Bruce Willis. The story is outstanding in its use of villains—the Gang of
Five are all rich, smart kids for whom robbing and killing are but play, and they outsmart the older more experienced opponents—the police—with their skills at computer
technology. Surrounded by a host of young actors excellently trained in martial arts, Chan here takes on a less active role than he used to but still manages to emerge as action
king. The New Police Story
has all the ingredients of a successful action movie: a chase involving a run-away bus with costly crashes and pile-ups of cars, superbly choreographed fight scenes, diabolical minds plotting ingenious criminal acts, plus the comic, romantic side of Chan.
Career can become so demanding that a person is consumed or has no or little time left for
personal and family affairs.
When that happens the material and financial prosperity derived from one's work might not be commensurate to the sacrifice offered in terms of family neglect. Thus, we see rich kids in desperate need of parental attention, affirmation and affection but only have too much money to burn, a lot of idle time to spare and a lack of direction in their lives. These rebellious kids turn to drugs, sex and or crimes, and soon, they become society's problems as well.
The New Police Story is saying that law and order begins at home and the discipline required to ensure compliance is that of love and spending quality time with our
children.
(Date Reviewed: 15 July 2005)
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