Police officers andmartial artsmovies make a thrilling combination, as the intersection between crime and law has led to some of the most exciting fighting films of all time. WhileJackie Chan’sPolice Storymay stand as the definitive martial arts cop movie, plenty of other incredible showcases of technical skill, expert choreography, and bafflingly impressive action sequences have utilized cops within their central narrative. From major stars like Donnie Yen to theGirls with Gunsstylings of Cynthia Rothrock and Michelle Yeoh, there’s no shortage of amazing martial arts cop movies.
Many ofthe greatest kung fu filmsof all time have focused on policing, as ongoing investigations commonly serve as the basis for intense, action-packed narratives. Whether it’s police hunting down a criminal syndicate or a lone no-nonsense cop working toward his own personal version of justice, time and again, law and order have been intrinsically linked to martial arts movies. Whilethe 1980s saw a boom in this kind of filmmaking, martial arts cop movies have remained popular to this day.
In the Line of Duty IV
Cast
In the Line of Duty IV is a 1989 Hong Kong action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping. The film stars Cynthia Khan as Inspector Yeung and Donnie Yen as Inspector Yan, who team up to uncover a drug trafficking ring while facing numerous challenges and adversaries. The film is known for its intense fight choreography and dynamic action sequences, characteristic of the era’s Hong Kong cinema.
Girls with Guns movie star Cynthia Khan reprised her role as Inspector Rachel Yeung for the excellent Hong Kong action sequelIn the Line of Duty IV. This entry alsoincluded stars like Michael Wong and Donnie Yenplaying the creatively named police captains Michael Wong and Donnie Yan in yet another action-packed installment of Hong Kong law enforcers investigating drug trafficking in Seattle. Filled to the brim with fight scenes,In the Line of Duty IVdelivered plenty of the martial arts showmanship viewers had come to expect from this franchise.
In the Line of Duty IVstood out as the best entry in this series since its breakout success inYes, Madamback in 1985. While the absence of Cynthia Rothrock and Michelle Yeoh from this entry was felt in this fourth installment,In the Line of Duty IVmore than made for it with the introduction of its new stars. A real treat for action lovers,In the Line of Duty IVfeatured non-stop action from start to finish and did not let up for a moment as it built toward its grand conclusion.
The Hong Kong-American action movieThe Protectorwas martial arts star Jackie Chan’s second attempt to break into the United States film market followingThe Big Brawlin 1980. The U.S. version ofThe Protectorfeatured Chan as the NYPD police officer Billy Wong, heading to Hong Kong after the daughter of a rich businessman was kidnapped by the sinister drug lord, Mr. Ko. As a mix of buddy cop action movies, martial arts extravaganza, and tongue-in-cheek comedy,The Protectorwas a release that helped bring Chan into the mainstream in the West.
With incredible acrobatics andJames Bond-style thrills,The Protectorwas a martial-arts-oriented adventuresure to please lovers of fighting cop films. However, Chan was not as happy with the final project, and his feud with the film’s director, James Glickenhaus, led to two different versions ofThe Protectorbeing released, one for the American market and one for Hong Kong (viaCBR.) Chan’s dissatisfaction with the film was what pushed him to directPolice Storyhimself, an undisputed classic released the same year.
For Benny Chan’s final film before his untimely death in 2020, theNew Police Storydirector returned to the martial arts cop genre one last time forRaging Fire, starring Donnie Yen. With Yen as Sr. Inspector Cheung Sung-bong, a successful, no-nonsense cop whose past started to catch up with him, things went awry as his old protégé, Sr. Inspector Yau Kong-ngo (Nicholas Tse), returned with a plan to destroy everyone who ever wronged him. This thrilling game of cat and mouse had enough action to keep viewers on the edge of their seats throughout.
Whilethe exposition scenes ofRaging Fireleft a lot to be desired, these were quickly interspersed with intense explosions and some thrilling fight sequences. Yen embodied the same action hero charisma that worked so well inIp Manbut with a very different type of character. An incredible example of a modern Hong Kong cop martial arts movie done well, there was a lot to love aboutRaging Fire.
Crime Story
Crime Story, directed by Kirk Wong, features Jackie Chan as Inspector Eddie Chan, who is assigned to protect a wealthy businessman targeted for kidnapping. The film is notable for its darker tone compared to other Jackie Chan movies, focusing on the intricate criminal underworld of Hong Kong. As tensions rise, Inspector Chan must navigate the treacherous landscape while dealing with his own internal struggles.
While Jackie Chan was known for his unique blend of martial arts stylings and slapstick comedy in movies likeDrunken Masterand theRush Hourfranchise, one underrated 1990s release from the kung fu star wasCrime Story. This was released right asChan had fully broken out in the West and gained his status as a global superstar. Rather than play it safe by continually repeating himself, Chan opted to try something new and show off his more serious time inCrime Story.
This underrated movie may have flown under the radar for action movie lovers, although it was no less exciting than Chan’s best works. With Chan as a good cop trying to save a kidnapped businessman,Crime Storywas actually based on a real-life case (viaSCMP), which may have influenced its more serious, less comedic stylings. While this martial arts cop movie may not be as well known as Chan’s signature films, it’s well worth seeking out.
Flash Point
Flash Point: Flash Point, released in 2007, features Detective Sergeant Ma Jun, played by Donnie Yen, as he partners with undercover cop Wilson to dismantle a violent smuggling ring led by three Vietnamese brothers. Set against the backdrop of pre-handover Hong Kong, the film explores themes of justice and vigilantism.
Flash Pointwas an incredibly underrated Donnie Yen movie directed by theIp Manfilmmaker Wilson Yip one year before the duo got together for that famed franchise. With Donnie Yen as a hot-headed inspector taking on a small but powerful Vietnamese criminal gang,Flash Pointwas filled with fierce fight sequences and even won the Best Action Choreography awards at the 27th Hong Kong Film Awards and the 2008 Golden Horse Film Awards. With a mix of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling,Flash Pointcontained everything a martial arts lover could possibly desire.
AlthoughFlash Pointreceived mixed reviews upon release, it stood as one of Yen’s most intense and engaging thrillers. WhileFlash Pointhad been marketed by some as a prequel to Yen and Yip’s first film together,SPL: Sha Po Lang, this was, in fact, an original story that merely echoed the appeal of their initial partnership. As a box office hit thathelped open the door for Yen and Yip to makeIp Manthe following year,Flash Pointwas an often appreciated gem.
Kung Fu Jungle
Kung Fu Jungle (2014) is an action thriller in which a martial arts expert, serving time for accidentally killing his opponent, offers to help the police catch a serial killer who targets martial artists. The film explores themes of redemption and justice, with intense fight scenes and a gripping narrative driving the story forward.
Kung Fu Junglewas yet another extraordinary showcase of Donnie Yen’s impeccable skill for martial arts cop movies. Following martial arts expert and police self-defense instructor Hahou Mo,Kung Fu Junglesaw this law trainer being imprisoned for accidentally killing his opponent during a fight.However, after a killer starts targeting martial arts masters, the police have no choice but to turn to Hahou for help in exchange for his freedom.
While the plot of an incarcerated expert helping police with their investigations was nothing new, Yen’s innate charisma helped elevate the by-the-numbers plotting of this martial arts action thriller. With impressive battles that grew increasingly elaborate and brutal, the final showdown on the freeway was a prime example of pure kung fu carnage.Kung Fu Junglewas an exciting showcase of Yen’s undiminished talents as he still packed the same exciting punch as he did inIn the Line of Duty IVso many decades before.
The Raid 2
The Raid 2 continues the journey of Rama, a SWAT officer, who infiltrates an Indonesian crime syndicate to protect his family and expose corrupt police officers. Set in the criminal underworld, the film explores themes of loyalty and betrayal following the events of the preceding apartment building siege.
While Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans blew audiences away with the intense martial arts stylings ofThe Raid, his Indonesian sequelThe Raid 2truly kicked things into hyperdrive. Once again,The Raid 2starred Iko Uwais as Rama and took place in the hours after taking down the ruthless drug lord in the original film. This time, Rama took things a step further and went undercover with plans to bring down a criminal syndicate and uncover the corruption within his own police force.
WhileThe Raid 2had an engaging story about misconduct and deceit among seeming law upholders, make no mistake, the appeal of this action-packed series was the sheer intensity of its awe-inspiring fight choreography. With barely enough time to allow audiences to breathe,The Raid 2overloaded viewers with a cacophony of over-the-top violence and martial arts mayhem.The Raid 2was everything viewers could want from a sequel, as it was bigger, better, and more boisterous than all that came before.
Hard Boiled
Hard Boiled is a 1992 Hong Kong action film directed by John Woo, starring Chow Yun-fat as Inspector “Tequila” Yuen. The film follows Tequila’s efforts to take down the city’s most notorious arms-smuggling ring while forming an uneasy alliance with an undercover policeman. Known for its elaborate action sequences, Hard Boiled showcases Woo’s signature style of choreographed gunfights and intense standoffs.
Before breaking into Hollywood with action movie classics likeFace/OffandMission: Impossible II,Hong Kong director John Woo had a successful filmmaking career in China, making him a box office superstar across Asia. A prime example of Woo’s incredible talent wasHard Boiled, an uncovered cop story about an inspector entangled in the dealings of a brutal Triad leader. This was Woo’s last film before he transitioned into Hollywood productions and was an ultra-violentDirty Harry-style showcase of the darker side of policing.
Hard Boiledshowcased Woo as one of the finest action filmmakers around, and it’s no surprise that this movie helped open the doors for his later major successes in Hollywood. With impactful action and a healthy dose of emotional resonance,Hard Boiledwas one of the greatest action movies of the 1990s. With impressive performances and a slick sense of style,Hard Boiledwas a high-caliber cops-and-robbers thrillerthat didn’t let up for one minute.
Yes, Madame
Yes, Madame features Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock as a dynamic duo in this high-flying action flick. When a microfilm of crucial information falls into the hands of innocents, these two formidable women must protect them from a deadly gang of criminals. Known for its groundbreaking fight choreography and strong female leads, the film blends suspense, humor, and explosive martial arts, making it a classic in the action genre.
The Hong Kong hitYes, Madamhelped popularize the Girls with Guns subgenre of martial arts filmmaking as Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock made an engaging pair in the unique female-centric spin on the buddy cop formula. With several sequels as part of theIn the Line of Dutyseries,Yes, Madamwas an influential release that signaled the potential of female stars in this genreas Senior Inspector Ng (Yeoh) and Inspector Carrie Morris (Cynthia Rothrock) went on the hunt for a microfilm containing vital details of criminal activity stolen by a gang of low-level thieves.
Yes, Madamwas the debut film for Cynthia Rothrock and the first starring role in a feature film for Michelle Yeoh, which turned both actresses into majormartial artsstars. With plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and a knowing sense of style,Yes, Madamwas not afraid to have fun with its concept and was all the better for its lighthearted touch. While the storyline about chasing down criminals who have stolen an elusive item was nothing new, the intense action sequences and impressive choreography madeYes, Madamstand out as a classic of 1980s kung fu cinema.
Police Story
Police Story is a 1985 action film featuring Jackie Chan as Officer Chan Ka Kui, who single-handedly captures a Hong Kong drug lord. The film follows Chan as he protects secretary Salina, who is set to testify against the gangster in court.
When it comes to martial arts cop movies, one release stood above them all, and that was Jackie Chan’sPolice Story. As perhaps the crown jewel in Chan’s vast and varied career, this action-paced 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 martial arts cop movies. With impressive stunts and plenty of heroism,Police Storysaw Chan conduct his own stunts as he hung off a speeding bus and showcased his martial skills in its iconic shopping mall fight.
Police Storywas the inception of a major franchise that included sequels, spin-offs, and remakes, yet the original was still this series' greatest installment. The fact that Chan’s greatest role was in a film he was so heavily involved in creatively proved yet again his talents as one of thegreatest kung fu stars of all time. There was never any martial arts cop movie better thanPolice Storywhich undeniably impacted the hordes of copycat films that followed it.
