Subject: [REVIEW] First Strike (Variety)

FIRST STRIKE

A New Line Cinema release of a Golden Harvest production. 
Produced by Barbie Tung. Executive producer, Leonard Ho.
Directed by Stanley Tong. Screenplay, Tong, Nick Tramontane, Greg Mallot,
Tong Kay-Meng. Camera (FotoKem color, widescreen), Jingle Ma; editors,
Peter Cheng, Yau Chi-Wai; music, Nathan Wang; art direction, Oliver Wong;
costume designers, Money Cheng, Wendy Law; sound (Dolby), Gary Wilkins,
Gretchen Thornburn; stunt choreography, Tong, Jackie Chan; assistant
directors, William Cheng, Sharon Lam. Reviewed at Royal Oak Screening
Room, Encino, March 23, 1996. Runningtime: 110 MIN.


   Jackie..........Jackie Chan
   Jackson Tsui.........Jackson Lou
   Annie Tsui........Annie Wu
   Uncle Bill.......Bill Tung
   Col. Gregor Yegorov.......Yuri Petrov
   Uncle Seven........Terry Woo
   Natasha.......Grishajeva Nonna
   MarkJackson.............John Eaves
(Cantonese and English dialogue)

Jackie Chan dons his Super Cop mantle again in the Bondish actioner "First 
Strike." Already Chan's biggest box office success in the Far East, where it 
opened in February, the film's combination of energy, invention and humor 
should readily outperform "Rumble in the Bronx' when it's released Stateside in 
January in revamped form. The long-standing promise of international stardom 
for the Hong Kong hero would appear to be at hand in this goodnatured, 
high-energy showcase.

Enlisted by the CIA, Jackie (Chan) is sent undercover to Ukraine to keep tabs 
on a woman acting as go-between in the transfer of nuclear secrets.  The real 
perp is Jackson Tsui (Jackson Lou), a disaffected ex-agent who's working in 
concert with senior Russian intelligence honcho Col. Yegorov (Yuri Petrov).

The serviceable, if overly complex, script wisely remains little more than a 
framework to highlight the actor's physical prowess and natural screen charm. 
Nonetheless, the plot-dense opening section, set in the Russian snow, is at 
times incomprehensible. 

The story doesn't find its footing until the action shifts to Australia, where 
Tsui's dying father has been the crime lord of Brisbanešs Chinatown.
 
Pic's producers clearly have aimed to compete with studio blockbusters by 
providing comparable bang for the buck. The Russian winter offers ample 
opportunity for a 007-style chase on skis, with parachuting assassins on 
Jackie's tail and a spectacular free fall into icy waters.  There's also an 
extended, tongue-in-cheek homage to "Jaws" and "Thunderball," with sharks and 
assassins in an underwater ballet in the aquarium where Tsui's sister (Annie 
Wu) works.

There's also plenty of Chan's signature acrobatic martial-arts wizardry to 
satisfy fans. Disguised as a stilt-walker in a ceremonial parade he does an 
amazing balancing act that contrasts seeming awkwardness with precise fighting 
skill. But the piece de resistance is unquestionably a sequence pitting Jackie 
against a Chinatown gang sporting ceremonial sticks while he is armed with a 
ladder. The scene's impact is truly akin to the thrill of seeing the 
best-choreographed Fred Astaire numbers realized perfectly.

Several double- and triple-crosses later, Jackie's winning personality prevails 
against the impossible odds. The picture is testament to the underlying 
sweetness of his screen persona. Unlike the typical action hero, his guileless, 
harmless-seeming nature stands out in sharp contrast to his obvious physical 
acumen.

Tech credits represent a considerable step up from past efforts. The pic also 
allows for more fully realized performances from the supporting players, 
particularly those of a villainous stripe. As with "Rumble", New Line is 
preparing an international version that will be 10-15 minutes shorter than the 
original release. Tightening, especially of the opening portion, will greatly 
enhance commercial prospects.

Leonard Klady