Operation Condor (Jackie Chan, 1991)

I think this might be the first time ever I've written a review of a Jackie Chan film. Really. And that's kinda strange, because Jackie meant a lot to me over the years. I'm sure one of his movies introduced me to Asian cinema - at least after first seeing a photo of Godzilla in an old Swedish encyclopedia - but Jackie was first for real. The sad thing is that most people kinda sees him as this old silly dude who's done some terrible Hollywood movies (I must admit that I have a soft spot for Shanghai Knights, but don't tell anyone!) and always smiles. He's a lot more than that. 

First of all, he's done a couple of the most spectacular action films ever made. Yeah, even compared with those new fancy awesome guys from Thailand and Indonesia (I love them, make no mistake there). Jackie became a star to me when he stopped making historical action films and put the fights and stunts in contemporary storylines. Then all hell broke loose. Just watch what he's doing in Police Story (and also in Police Story 3 and New Police Story), Armour of God, Project A & Project A 2, Heart of the Dragon - yeah, even those ultra-silly Lucky Stars films. Virtually all movies he made in the Eighties are sensational, and up until the end of the nineties he made some fantastic stuff. 

Operation Condor is the sequel to The Armour of God, for god and bad if I can say so. The first one has a couple of the best action sequences I've ever seen - but it also suffers from a quite slow middle part focused on silly romance and slapstick. Now, slapstick in a Jackie Chan film is a fine form of slapstick, but in too high doses it can be quite difficult to handle. Operation Condor has the exact same storyline, but with a different MacGuffin. It even has a spectacular vehicle chase in Spain (which ends in one of the best motorcross stunts I've seen. It's still very impressive!) and the the chase is on until the fat, awesome final in the baddies lair. This time it's an underground (in a desert no less!) nazi base filled with cool stuff to climb and run on - which means Jackie will use all of his talent to battle henchmen in these very cool sets. 

While the fights never become spectacular or hurtful as in Police Story they're very well-made and still looks like they can beat some modern fights I've seen. The stunts is good and the special effects is fine. This is a high class Jackie Chan production. It's interesting how I forgot all of these good things since the first (and until now the only) time I saw it. I remember it to be pretty dull, low on action and with failed visual gags. 

I must have been on drugs at the time.

Both this and the first movie is out on blu in the US, in their international versions. But I'm lazy and greedy and bought the UK DVD of Operation Condor, which has an OK transfer - correct ratio on non-anamorphic DVD. I guess I will upgrade it sooner or later but for now this seemed perfect for my meager budget. 

I'll try to review the first film soon - and also the third one, Chinese Zodiac, when I can lay my hands on it. I'm looking forward to see what Jackie has up his sleeve in his final, big action film. They he'll retired from action cinema to do less physically demanding roles. 

Anyway. Fun film. Underrated. It deserves a revisit from everyone who appreciates a good old adventure romp from a time when Jackie was at the top of his game!

Comments

[Megatron]

"I'm sure one of his movies introduced me to Asian cinema"

I think this was the case for me.....I´m not sure....but I remember watching 'A' gai wak/Project A (1983).

I don´t remember much.....but it was entertaining, with english dub.

"(I must admit that I have a soft spot for Shanghai Knights, but don't tell anyone!)"

Me too, Shanghai Noon(2000), Shanghai Knights(2003), fun stuff....Owen Wilson & Chan seemed to like each other, nice onscreen chemistry.

Give The Karate Kid(2010)a chance, not so bad.

"Just watch what he's doing in Police Story, Armour of God, Project A"

Yeah, some sources claim that Ging chat goo si/Police Story(1985)is the most plagiarized film by Hollywood directors.....could be true.

"This time it's an underground (in a desert no less!) nazi base filled with cool stuff to climb and run on - which means Jackie will use all of his talent to battle henchmen in these very cool sets."

Hmm.....I get the feeling I seen this...or maybe I´m just thinking of one of the Indy films.....?

"I must have been on drugs at the time."

Pass on grass.....JUST SAY NO, FRED....what about the children?

http://youtu.be/mqtY88BUi0M

"Anyway. Fun film. Underrated. It deserves a revisit from everyone who appreciates a good old adventure romp from a time when Jackie was at the top of his game!"

Sounds like a flick for me....good review and thanks.

[gk]

Huge Jackie fan here. Project A is my favourite all time jackie chan film but this one is a lot of fun too. Jackie is still huge in India and all his films get released here so saw Chinese Zodiac in the theater and it has some spectacular action scenes (as good as any he's done), some slapstick and a little bit of romance. Very enjoyable if you're a fan. Cool review!

[Tobe]

I am an old JC fan aswell. I just love Police story and Armour of god. I have trouble watching his old movies dubbed to English though. His movies SHOULD be watched in original language. I haven´t seen Operation Condor in many years now, i just own it on VHS, and my VCR died many years ago.