Okay, fellow tapeheads, dim the lights, maybe adjust the tracking just a touch in your mind's eye, because tonight we're diving headfirst into a whirling vortex of pure, unadulterated 80s Hong Kong action-comedy genius: 1983's Project A ('A' gai wak). Forget slick CGI superheroes for a moment. We're talking raw guts, precision timing, and the kind of stunt work that makes insurance adjusters wake up screaming. This is the film where Jackie Chan, alongside his opera school brothers Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, truly cemented the 'Three Dragons' legend and delivered something utterly spectacular.
### Setting Sail on a Sea of Insanity
The premise is pure pulp adventure: It's turn-of-the-century Hong Kong, and the waters are plagued by ruthless pirates led by the fearsome San-pao (Dick Wei, a fantastic physical villain). The official marine police are corrupt and ineffective, leaving Sergeant Dragon Ma (Jackie Chan, naturally) and his band of loyal but often clumsy coast guard recruits to take matters into their own hands. Thrown into the mix are a charming rogue named Fei (Sammo Hung) and Inspector Tzu (Yuen Biao), Dragon's by-the-book former academy rival. It's a classic setup, ripe for misunderstandings, shifting alliances, and, most importantly, jaw-dropping physical mayhem.
### The Chan Effect: More Than Just Fights
What elevates Project A beyond a simple period action flick is Jackie Chan firing on all cylinders, not just as the star, but as the director and co-writer (Edward Tang also penned the script). You can feel his ambition pouring off the screen. This wasn't just about stringing fights together; it was about orchestrating elaborate sequences that blend incredible athletic prowess with impeccable comedic timing, often paying direct homage to his silent film heroes like Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd. Remember that insane bicycle chase through the narrow alleyways? Pure poetry in motion, transforming ordinary objects into props for extraordinary escapes and gags. It’s controlled chaos, meticulously planned yet feeling utterly spontaneous.
One incredible retro fun fact: Chan reportedly spent ages perfecting that bicycle sequence, aiming for a level of complexity rarely seen. Filming itself was a marathon, stretching over a year, partly due to Chan's perfectionism and the sheer difficulty of the stunts he envisioned. This wasn't a quick cash-in; it was a labor of love and bruised limbs.
### Three Dragons, One Unforgettable Chemistry
While Jackie is the undeniable center, the interplay with Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao is pure gold. Having trained together since childhood at the China Drama Academy, their chemistry is electric and effortless. Sammo brings his signature blend of surprising agility and roguish charm as Fei, a character who walks the line between ally and opportunist. Yuen Biao, arguably the most acrobatically gifted of the trio, gets fewer show-stopping moments here than in other collaborations like Wheels on Meals, but his straight-laced Inspector Tzu provides a perfect foil to Dragon Ma's maverick energy. Their scenes together crackle with friendly rivalry and shared history. Watching them weave around each other in the frantic bar brawl – which, by the way, involved intricate wirework for gags like swinging from chandeliers that looked deceptively simple – is a masterclass in screen fighting choreography.
### Gravity? Merely a Suggestion
Let's talk stunts. Because, honestly, that's the pulsing heart of Project A. We have to address the elephant in the room, or rather, the Jackie Chan falling from the clock tower. Inspired directly by Harold Lloyd's iconic moment in Safety Last! (1923), Chan took it several terrifying steps further. He performed the fall himself – a plunge of roughly 60 feet (around 18 meters) through two cloth awnings onto the ground below. There were no hidden wires, no digital trickery softening the blow. Just gravity, a couple of canvas sheets, and sheer, unadulterated nerve.
Here's a chilling retro fun fact: Chan wasn't satisfied with the first take. He did the fall three times to get it right on camera, reportedly landing badly on one attempt and severely injuring his neck, nearly breaking it. You can actually see the slight difference in his landing between the shots used in the film and the outtakes shown over the end credits (a Chan trademark that always felt like a badge of honour). Watching it even today, knowing the risks involved, is breathtaking. It wasn't just a stunt; it was a statement of commitment, a benchmark for practical action filmmaking that feels almost alien in today's risk-averse, green-screen world. Did modern effects ever replicate that visceral thud you felt in your gut watching that scene back then?
The action isn't limited to that one moment, either. From the intricate hand-to-hand combat in confined spaces to the larger-scale battles aboard the pirate ships (featuring some impressive, if occasionally chaotic, set design), the film rarely lets up. The fights feel impactful because they were – the performers were hitting hard, tumbling realistically, and putting their bodies on the line.
### Legacy on the High Seas
Upon release, Project A was a significant hit in Hong Kong, further solidifying Jackie Chan's superstar status and proving his directorial chops. While maybe not as globally ubiquitous at the time as some of his later American crossovers, its influence on action cinema was undeniable. It showcased a unique blend of Eastern martial arts, Western stunt traditions, and physical comedy that became Chan's signature. Critics might have occasionally pointed to a somewhat rambling plot, but audiences adored the energy, the humour, and the sheer audacity of the set pieces. It even spawned a sequel, Project A Part II (1987), also directed by Chan, which is arguably even more packed with intricate action, though lacking the Sammo/Yuen dynamic.
---
VHS Heaven Rating: 9/10
Justification: This score reflects the film's near-perfect execution of its ambitious goals. The slight deduction acknowledges a plot that occasionally meanders to serve the next set piece, but this is vastly overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of the action choreography, the groundbreaking stunt work (especially the legendary clock tower fall), the infectious energy, and the fantastic chemistry between the 'Three Dragons'. It's a masterclass in practical filmmaking and comedic timing that defined an era of Hong Kong cinema. The level of physical commitment on display is simply astounding and demands respect.
Final Thought: Project A isn't just a movie; it's a testament to a time when action stars were also world-class stunt performers willing to risk life and limb for the perfect shot, wrapped in a joyous, high-energy adventure that still feels incredibly fresh and thrilling today. Forget polished pixels; this is the beautiful, terrifying, hilarious reality of bodies in motion.