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Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh Soar in Supercop 2-Disc Ultimate Edition
by Reg Seeton
Synopsis:
 "Martial arts icons Jackie Chan (The Forbidden Kingdom) and Michelle Yeoh (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) are at their absolute peak in this freewheeling, action-packed adventure. A once-in-a-lifetime one-two punch, they team up as a risk-taking cop and a strait-laced but beautiful federal agent, working undercover together to take down an international drug ring. Risking life and limb, Chan and Yeoh perform their own incredible stunts, dangling from a soaring helicopter, leaping onto careening cars, and delivering beat-downs on the roof of a speeding train. Fast-paced, innovative, and entertaining, Supercop (aka Police Story 3) captures two legends at their best, in "a movie that will never be equaled" (LoveHKFilm.com)."
Now that the sun is setting on Jackie Chan's big screen career, it's interesting to look back at his legacy as a martial arts action hero. In terms of Asian martial stars that have found success overseas in the North American market, there hasn’t been that many since the death of Bruce Lee in 1973. As far as household names in America are concerned, Jackie Chan became the second martial arts star from Asia to pick up the torch. However, Chan's superstar didn't begin to shine in the U.S. until the 1980s after he appeared in Cannonball Run before directing himself in the action comedy Police Story, which became a huge hit in Hong Kong. The success of Police Story led to a sequel in 1989, Police Story 2, and later a third film in 1992, which was released in the U.S. as Supercop, that paired Chan with female martial arts star Michelle Yeoh. Believe it or not, by the time Supercop was released Chan was already 44.
So where does Supercop rank among the long list of Jackie Chan credits? Well, since most of Chan's movies were made overseas in China, and only a few "name" Jackie Chan films have struck a chord with the mainstream North American public, Supercop is a dazzling thrill ride that leaps from the screen. As far as Jackie Chan movies go, it's got everything - action, comedy, stunts, and explosive intensity. Since Jackie Chan is famous for doing all of his own stunt work, Supercop features Chan at his best, as the film features a slew of eye-popping action sequences in which Chan defies the laws of gravity. When you think of vintage Jackie Chan, with images of rooftop chases and dangling helicopter sequences, Supercop reveals Chan at his physical best as the film charges forward to its breathtaking climactic fight sequence atop a speeding train.
 But what would otherwise be a great Jackie Chan film is taken to higher cinematic heights by the amazing Michelle Yeoh, whose performance in Supercop underscores why she's the best female martial arts action star that we've ever seen. And this was a decade prior to Yeoh's North American breakout in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Jump for jump, punch for punch, and kick for kick, Yeoh keeps pace with Jackie Chan, as she performs some of the best stunt work of her career, which includes dangling from a vehicle at high speed and several more high flying and death defying leaps. It's interesting to note that a few recent Asian action films in the Dragon Dynasty DVD fold have either copied the sequence or drawn inspiration from Supercop and the Police Story films. Supercop could have starred Michelle Yeoh alone and it would have been awesome, that's how good she is in the movie.
As a 2-Disc Ultimate Edition, Supercop is one of the most well-rounded yet efficient titles from Dragon Dynasty. Although previous releases have come down the DVD pike loaded with extras, Supercop delivers exactly what a high profile title should and gives fans their money's worth. To date, Hong Kong cinema expert Bey Logan has been featured heavily on all Dragon Dynasty titles to date, including the commentary on Disc 1 of Supercop. Logan's stories and knowledge of Hong Kong cinema always enhance the releases in a deeper way that you won't find on many DVD mainstream titles. However, my main beef with "some" high profile Dragon Dynasty titles has been the absence of the stars themselves in the extras. For example, the July release of Tai Chi Master with Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh featured director Brett Ratner and critic Elvis Mitchell instead of the two co-leads. The extras were great, but the void was noticeable.
 But Dragon Dynasty delivers on Supercop with interviews with all of the main players and a cool surprise via "Flying High: An Exclusive Interview with Star Jackie Chan", "Dancing with Death: An Interview with leading Lady Michelle Yeoh", "The Stuntmaster General: An Exclusive interview with Director Stanley Tong", and "The Fall Guy: An Exclusive Interview with Jackie Chan Bodyguard, Training Partner, & Co-star Ken Lo." Simply put, Supercop is gives you everything you want from a Jackie Chan movie and DVD.
Release Date: January 13, 2009
Disc 1:
- Feature Commentary By Hong Kong Cinema Expert Bey Logan
Disc 2:
- Flying High: An Exclusive Interview With Star Jackie Chan
- Dancing With Death: An Interview With Leading Lady Michelle Yeoh
- The Stuntmaster General: An Exclusive Interview With Director Stanley Tong
- The Fall Guy: An Exclusive Interview With Jackie Chan Bodyguard, Training Partner & Co-Star Ken Lo
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