While I fully recognize the huge entertainment value of this movie, I can't help but miss the Hong Kong street feel and hard-edged fights of the two previous films in the series. At this time Jackie was sort of moving away from long, intricate fight scenes, and more in the direction of big stunts and big action--although he did pay one last tribute to the art of all-out ass kicking with the brilliant "Drunken Master 2". But looking at his output in the 90's, it is clear that he had progressed beyond the more martial arts oriented movies in what was, most likely, a calculated attempt to satisfy his many different markets outside of Asia.

Here, he takes the Ka Kui character out of his Hong Kong hometurf, in pursuit of a more epic and international feel. And in part 4 (if you count "First Strike" as part of the series) he strays even further around the world, turning the determined HK cop into a globetrotting, James Bondian figure far from the original nature of the character, thus losing its vulnerable but relentless qualities in the process. And I think that is a shame.

With that said, it is still very much a quintessential Jackie Chan movie. He is as funny and charming as ever. The stunts are insane, the action is explosive. And what actual fight choreo there is, is of the usual JC standard. He also, graciously, takes a step back in several scenes and lets Michelle come to the fore and shine. She looks great and adds a breath of fresh air to the proceedings. So much so that her character was given its own spin-off movie, "Project S", the following year.

Outside of the aforementioned gripes, I have one more complaint. Why on earth would you cast the magnificent Yuen Wah as one of the main villains and NOT have him and Jackie go at it in the final reel? That's a crime. I would gladly take a serious showdown with those two guys over all that train and helicopter business. But that was not to be. And despite my humble stipulations, I love this movie and consider it a definite JC must-have, and one of his best movies of the 90's.