Police Story (1985)

Prior to 1985, Chan had demonstrated an interest in enhancing his action with major stunts, but "Police Story" remained the peak of that combination. The opening shantytown montage is so epic that it was ripped off not just by Michael Bay for "Bad Boys II" (1993), but also by Sylvester Stallone for "Tango & Cash" (1989). This first 20 minutes contains more beauty and wonders of the human body than most full movies. And there are still 80 minutes left!

Chan portrays a cop who is pushed to the limit by criminals who outsmart the legal system, and his attempts to bring them down result in chuckles and wince-inducing violence. A staged home invasion is followed by an even more carefully prepared automobile attack, which features excellent comedy choreography. A scene with Chan juggling many phone calls is amazing in and of itself, while the concluding scene in a large mall has yet to be surpassed. When you throw in Bill Tung, Maggie Cheung, and Brigitte Lin, you've got the best Jackie Chan film in a crowded field.