Police Story III: Supercop (1992)

The franchise moves from Hong Kong to the mainland, but that isn't the only significant change. After years of seeing women in Chan films as props or punchlines, "Supercop" sees him finally have the bravery to let one be a total badass. Michelle Yeoh joins the expedition and proves to be a fighter and action star in equal measure. She's got the humorous pattern down, and the two of them are a dynamically engaging team.

As the two go undercover to take down a drug lord's business, the picture offers the anticipated mix of combat and stunts, and it all feels grander as a result. Stanley Tong, who looks more at ease with the flaming bombast than the nitty-gritty of the battle scenes, takes over as director. It's a trade-off: some of the bouts have less freedom in their editing, but the picture is still a blast to watch. The dramatic conclusion with moving trains, motorcycles, and helicopters is a highlight for everyone involved, but it's remarkable in that Chan highlights Yeoh's stunt performance the most (which presumably explains why they never worked together again). except for "Kung Fu Panda 2" from 2011...).