Cast and Crew: Stanley Tong (Director); Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Bill Tung

What It’s About: Jackie Chan stars as a Hong Kong policeman visiting relatives in New York City, who becomes embroiled in a dangerous rivalry with drug-crazed gangsters (basically the same Nineties-fashion-blighted crew from The Crow, but more Italian).  While offering his protection to businesswoman Elaine (Anita Mui) and friendship to wheelchair-bound Danny (Morgan Lam), he endangers everyone with his black-and-white ethics and quick fists.  Fortunately, it’s a Jackie Chan movie, so there are plenty of laughs and the good guys are sure to win out after a series of astoundingly acrobatic fight sequences.

Why Watch it Today?: Jackie Chan turns 60 years old today.  He had been acting in Hong Kong films for more than two decades when this film made him widely popular in the United States.  (Released in Hong Kong in 1995, it made it to the USA early in 1996.)  If you’ve already seen this film, consider honoring his big day with another Jackie Chan classic like City Hunter or Wheels on Meals, or a true absurdity like Gorgeous.

In place of the usual trailer, here’s what you really watch a Jackie Chan film for: the blooper reel in the closing credits, overlaid with a cheesy Hong Kong pop song.  As Chan did all his own stunts, it’s pretty amazing that he is alive today to celebrate his sixtieth!