The Project A Collection (1983 / 1987) 88 Films Blu-ray Review

Project A (1983) Plot: A squad of Navy soldiers in the 1800s are dispatched to recover a shipment of rifles stolen by pirates.

Review: At the turn of the century, the Hong Kong Navy has a big problem on their hands: Pirates! The British implements a stricter regime on the Hong Kong Navy, putting a new drill sergeant to the task to whip the Naval recruits into shape. The new Captain is a crackerjack martial artist named Tzu (Yuen Biao), and he immediately butts heads with another sergeant named Dragon (Jackie Chan), a rascal everyone except the upper brass loves: He’s quick, resourceful, and he obeys orders, but there’s always a bit of a pullback with his behavior that gets him in trouble. When one of Dragon’s old compatriots, a rapscallion gambler and ruffian named Fei (Sammo Hung) runs afoul of the pirate horde the Navy is after for stealing a shipment of rifles, he tips Dragon off, and so Dragon and Tzu – along with the ragtag Navy battalion – must try to infiltrate the hideout of the pirates, procure the rifles, and be done with the pirates once and for all … except it’s never as easy as just saying it.

One of the bright sparks of Jackie Chan’s ’80s adventures, Project A is a spunky, fun, and enjoyably goofy action film with some cracking fight scenes and stunts, one of which looks like it almost cost Jackie his life. There’s a scene where he falls from a clock tower and you can see him fall through two awnings, but when he lands, he lands on his neck and face first. Holy cow! Jackie sure had angels watching over him that day. The movie runs a little long (there are two versions: 106 minutes and 115 minutes), but it’s still one of Jackie’s better from from the heyday of his career. He also directed it.

Project A Part II (1987) Plot: A Navy hero roots out corruption in the police force.

Review: Dragon (Jackie Chan) is back with a new mission: A law enforcement officer that goes by the name “Three Rings” (David Lam) is the leader of a cartel that runs guns and girls through Hong Kong and on into pirate hands, and Dragon must bring him to justice. This time, Dragon is a little light on help, as the police force finds the task of hunting down one of their own a dishonorable task, and so Dragon (mostly) goes it alone, putting him at odds with the very department that should be assisting rather than hindering. He makes some new gal pals (played by Maggie Cheung, Rosamund Kwan, and Carina Lau), one of which may be working against him. Dragon will find himself in all sorts of precarious scenarios: In a lengthy sequence, he is handcuffed to a partner and must find a way off a building, and in several crackerjack fight scenes, he uses anything and everything to fend off fighters, including weaponizing hot chili peppers! The generous and stunt-filled finale has Dragon running down a massive collapsing wall, and then miraculously dodging another wall.

If it weren’t for the very impressive and eye-opening finale, Project A Part II might merely be a footnote in Jackie’s incredible career, but because the film finally flexes and gets busy in the final quarter, the film jumps up some blips and ends up being a real winner. His costars from the previous film Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung are very sorely missed this time around, though, and in the absence, Jackie is left to carry the film entirely on his own. It’s still very entertaining and fun with some great fights sprinkled throughout, but that finale is killer! Jackie also directed it.

88 Films just released a two-disc premium collector’s set of the two Project A films, and it comes it two editions: The 4K Ultra HD set, or the standard Blu-ray edition set. Either is a viable contender for one of the best releases of 2024, with a massive amount of bonus content, high definition clarity, and a fan’s dream come true.

Bonus Materials

• LIMITED EDITION 2 DISC BOX SET SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Double-walled Slipcase featuring new art by “Kung Fu” Bob O’Brien
• Double-sided artwork for both sleeves featuring new art by “Kung Fu” Bob O’Brien & original Hong Kong posters
• PROJECT A SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES:
• Brand new 4K Remaster of the Hong Kong Cut [106 mins] from the Original Negatives presented in High Definition (1080p) in the original 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio
• Brand new 4K Remaster of the Extended Taiwanese Cut [115 mins] from the Original Negatives presented in High Definition (1080p) in the original 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio
• Cantonese & Mandarin-language options in Dolby Atmos and mono with newly translated subtitles and English Mono Dub [Mandarin Inserts during extended scenes in Taiwanese Cut]
• Audio commentary by Frank Djeng and FJ DeSanto [Hong Kong Cut]
• Solo audio commentary by Frank Djeng [Hong Kong Cut]
• Interview with Jackie Chan’s Best Stunt Double, Mars Cheung
• Dancing With Danger — Interview with Stunt God Mars
• Master Killer — Interview with Grandmaster Lee Hoi-san
• The Elusive Dragon — Interview with Yuen Biao
• The Pirates Den — Interview with Dick Wei
• Can’t Stop the Music – Interview with Composer Michael Lai
• Project Collector with Paul Dre
• Plan B — Writer Edward Tang on Project A
• Out-takes
• Japanese Version Ending
• The Making of Project A
• Lunar New Year Introduction [Mandarin with English Subtitles]
• Hong Kong Trailer
• English Trailer
• Stills Gallery
• PROJECT A PART II SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES:
• Brand new 4K Remaster of the Hong Kong Cut [107 mins] from the Original Negatives presented in High Definition (1080p) in the original 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio
• Brand new 4K Remaster of the Export Cut [98 mins] from the Original Negatives presented in High Definition (1080p) in the original 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio
• Cantonese-language options in mono and Dolby Atmos and Mandarin mono with newly translated subtitles [Hong Kong Cut]
• English Mono Dub [Export Cut]
• Audio commentary by Frank Djeng and FJ DeSanto [Hong Kong Cut]
• Interview with Anthony Carpio
• The Big Boss — Interview with Chan Wai-Man
• Someone Will Know Me — 1988 documentary focusing on three members of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team
• Japanese Ending
• Full-Screen Jackie Chan Recording Session
• Hong Kong Trailer
• Export Trailer
• Tai Seng Trailer
• Stills Gallery