Police and martial arts The films make an exciting combination, as the intersection of crime and the law has led to some of the most exciting fight films of all time. While Jackie Chan Police story may be the definitive martial arts crime film, many other incredible displays of technical skill, expert choreography, and surprisingly impressive action sequences have utilized police officers in their central narrative. From big stars like Donnie Yen to the Girls with Guns styles of Cynthia Rothrock and Michelle Yeoh, there's no shortage of incredible martial arts crime films.
Many of the greatest kung fu films of all time have focused on policing, as ongoing investigations often serve as the basis for intense, action-packed narratives. Whether it's the police hunting down a criminal syndicate or a lone, no-nonsense cop working towards his own personal version of justice, time and time again law and order has been inextricably linked to martial arts films. While the 1980s saw a boom in this type of cinemamartial arts crime films remain popular to this day.
10
In the Line of Duty IV (1989)
Directed by Yuen Woo-ping
Girls with Guns movie star Cynthia Khan reprized her role as Inspector Rachel Yeung in the excellent Hong Kong action sequel In the Line of Duty IV. This entry also included stars such as Michael Wong and Donnie Yen playing the creatively named police captains Michael Wong and Donnie Yan in yet another action-packed installment of Hong Kong cops investigating drug trafficking in Seattle. Filled to the brim with fight scenes, In the Line of Duty IV it delivered many of the martial arts that viewers expected from this franchise.
In the Line of Duty IV stood out as the best entry in this series since its runaway success in Yes ma'am in 1985. Although the absence of Cynthia Rothrock and Michelle Yeoh from this entry was felt in this fourth installment, In the Line of Duty IV more than done with the introduction of its new stars. A real treat for action lovers, In the Line of Duty IV It featured nonstop action from start to finish and didn't stop for a moment as it neared its grand conclusion.
9
The Protector (1985)
Directed by James Glickenhaus
The Hong Kong-American action film The Protector was martial arts star Jackie Chan's second attempt to break into the United States film market after The big fight in 1980. The American version of The Protector featured Chan as NYPD officer Billy Wong, heading to Hong Kong after a wealthy businessman's daughter is kidnapped by the sinister drug dealer Mr. As a mix of crime action film, martial arts extravaganza and tongue-in-cheek comedy, The Protector it was a release that helped bring Chan into the mainstream in the West.
With incredible stunts and James Bondstyle emotions, The Protector It was an adventure focused on martial arts It will certainly please lovers of crime fighting films. However, Chan was not as happy with the final project and his rivalry with the film's director, James Glickenhaus, led to two different versions of the film. The Protector being launched, one for the American market and the other for Hong Kong (via CBR.) Chan's dissatisfaction with the film was what led him to direct Police story itself, an undisputed classic released in the same year.
8
Raging Fire (2021)
Directed by Benny Chan
For Benny Chan's last film before his untimely death in 2020, the New police story the director returned to the martial arts detective genre one last time to Raging Firestarring Donnie Yen. With Yen as Senior Inspector Cheung Sung-bong, a successful and no-nonsense police officer whose past has started to catch up with him, things go wrong when his former protégé, Senior Inspector Yau Kong-ngo (Nicholas Tse), returns with a plans to destroy everyone who wronged him. This exciting game of cat and mouse had enough action to keep viewers on the edge of their seats the entire time.
While the exposition scenes of Raging Fire left a lot to be desiredthese were quickly interspersed with intense explosions and some exciting fight sequences. Yen embodied the same action hero charisma that worked so well in Ip Man but with a very different type of character. An incredible example of a modern Hong Kong martial arts crime film done well, there was a lot to love Raging Fire.
7
Crime Story (1993)
Jackie Chan as Inspector Eddie Chan
Although Jackie Chan was known for his unique blend of martial arts styles and slapstick comedy in films such as Drunk Master and the Rush hour franchise, an underrated release from the kung fu star in the 1990s was Crime story. This was released as soon as Chan has fully broken out in the West and gained his global superstar status. Instead of playing it safe by repeating himself over and over again, Chan opted to try something new and showcase his more serious time in Crime story.
This underrated film may have gone unnoticed by action movie lovers, although it was no less exciting than Chan's best work. With Chan as a good cop trying to save a kidnapped businessman, Crime story was actually based on a real-life case (via SCMP), which may have influenced his more serious and less comical style. While this martial arts crime film may not be as well-known as Chan's signature films, it's worth seeking out.
6
Flashpoint (2007)
Directed by Wilson Yip
Flash point was an incredibly underrated Donnie Yen film directed by Ip Man filmmaker Wilson Yip a year before the duo reunited for that famous franchise. With Donnie Yen as a hot-headed inspector facing off against a small but powerful Vietnamese criminal gang, Flash point was filled with fierce fight sequences and even won awards for Best Action Choreography at the 27th Hong Kong Film Awards and the 2008 Golden Horse Film Awards. Featuring a mix of Brazilian jiu-jitsu judo karate boxing kickboxing and wrestling Flash point it contained everything a martial arts lover could want.
Although Flash point received mixed reviews upon release, it was one of Yen's most intense and engaging thrillers. While Flash point was marketed by some as a prequel to Yen and Yip's first film together SPL: Sha Po Langthis was, in fact, an original story that only echoed the appeal of their initial partnership. How Box Office Achieved This helped open the door for Yen and Yip to do Ip Man the following year, Flash point it was a frequently prized jewel.
5
Kung Fu Jungle (2014)
Directed by Teddy Chan
Kung Fu Jungle was yet another extraordinary demonstration of Donnie Yen's impeccable skill in martial arts crime films. Following martial arts expert and police self-defense instructor Hahou Mo, Kung Fu Jungle saw this legal trainer being arrested for accidentally killing his opponent during a fight. However, after a killer starts attacking martial arts masters, the police have no choice but to ask Hahou for help in exchange for his freedom.
While the plot of an incarcerated expert helping the police with their investigations was nothing new, Yen's innate charisma helped elevate the plot of this martial arts action thriller. With impressive battles that became increasingly elaborate and brutal, the final showdown on the highway was a prime example of pure kung fu carnage. Kung Fu Jungle was an exciting showcase of Yen's unchanged talents, as he still threw the same thrilling punch he did in In the Line of Duty IV so many decades ago.
4
The Raid 2 (2014)
Directed by Gareth Evans
While Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans surprised audiences with the intense martial arts style of The invasionits Indonesian sequel The attack 2 really kicked things into hyperdrive. Again, The attack 2 starred Iko Uwais as Rama and took place hours after taking down the cruel drug lord from the original film. This time, Rama has gone a step further and gone undercover with plans to take down a criminal syndicate and uncover corruption within his own police force.
While The attack 2 had a gripping story about misconduct and deceit among apparent upholders of the law, make no mistake, the appeal of this action-packed series was the intensity of its awe-inspiring fight choreography. With just enough time to allow the audience to breathe, The attack 2 overwhelmed viewers with a cacophony of over-the-top violence and martial arts mayhem. The attack 2 It was everything viewers could want from a sequelfor it was bigger, better and louder than anything that came before.
3
Baked (1992)
Directed by John Woo
Before entering Hollywood with action cinema classics like Face/Off and Mission: Impossible II, Hong Kong director John Woo has had a successful film career in China, making him a box office star across Asia. A prime example of Woo's incredible talent was Bakedan uncovered detective story about an inspector involved in the dealings of a brutal Triad leader. This was Woo's last film before he transitioned into Hollywood productions and it was an ultra-violent film. Dirty Harrystylish showcase of the darker side of policing.
Baked introduced Woo as one of the best action filmmakers around, and it's no surprise that this film helped open the doors to his later biggest successes in Hollywood. With impactful action and a good dose of emotional resonance, Baked was one of the biggest action films of the 1990s. With stunning performances and a stylish sense of style, Baked was a high caliber cops and robbers thriller It didn't stop for a minute.
2
Yes Ma'am (1985)
Directed by Corey Yuen
The Hong Kong coup Yes ma'am helped popularize the Girls with Guns subgenre of martial arts cinema, as Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock formed an engaging duo in the unique female-centric take on the buddy cop formula. With several sequels as part of the In the line of duty series, Yes ma'am was an influential release that signaled the potential of female stars in this genre while Senior Inspector Ng (Yeoh) and Inspector Carrie Morris (Cynthia Rothrock) went in search of a microfilm containing vital details of criminal activities stolen by a gang of low-level thieves.
Yes ma'am was Cynthia Rothrock's debut film and Michelle Yeoh's first leading role in a feature film, which made both actresses great martial arts stars. With lots of wry humor and a knowing sense of style, Yes ma'am It wasn't afraid to have fun with its concept and it's made even better by its light-hearted twist. While the plot about chasing criminals who stole an elusive item was nothing new, the intense action sequences and impressive choreography made it Yes ma'am stands out as a classic of 1980s kung fu cinema.
1
Police story (1985)
Directed byJackie Chan
When it comes to martial arts crime films, one release stood above them all, and that was Jackie Chan's. Police story. As perhaps the crown jewel in Chan's vast and varied career, this action-packed story, which he directed, co-wrote and starred in, perfectly showcased this Hong Kong star's unique appeal and was a testament to the timeless power of the police officer. martial arts. films. With impressive acrobatics and a lot of heroism, Police story I saw Chan perform his own stunts as he hung from a speeding bus and showed off his martial skills in his iconic shopping mall fight.
Police story It was the start of a huge franchise that included sequels, spin-offs, and remakes, but the original was still the biggest installment in this series. The fact that Chan's biggest role was in a film in which he was so heavily involved creatively proved once again his talent as one of the biggest kung fu stars of all time. There has never been a better martial arts crime film than Police story which undeniably impacted the hordes of copycat films that followed it.