Police Story 4: First Strike

Jackie Chan returns as a fearless Hong Kong cop who teams with Interpol to stop an illegal weapons ring. What looks like a tidy arrest soon unravels into a tangled chase, as Chan uncovers clues that point to a broader, more elusive conspiracy. With his signature mix of humor, clever stunts, and street level policing, he follows a trail across borders and into a maze of informants and dead ends. The case grows colder and more dangerous, until Chan realizes the truth behind the operation may reach higher than anyone expected. The hunt becomes a test of wits as much as reflexes.

Directed by Stanley Tong and Gwai Lai, Police Story 4 released in 1996 as a high octane Jackie Chan action adventure. It draws on the Police Story legacy with an original screenplay rather than a direct adaptation.

Produced on a budget of 1.5 million, it grossed 53,168,876 worldwide, a strong return that underscored Jackie Chan's global appeal and the enduring draw of the Police Story franchise.

The film helped cement Jackie Chan's name as a master of action comedy, pairing risky stunts with humor. Its brisk, pragmatic approach to chase scenes and fight work influenced later blockbuster stunts and kept martial arts at the heart of crowd pleasing set pieces.

Critics praised the energy and Chan's presence, noting how the film blends humor with fast paced action. It grapples with duty under pressure and exposes the tension between undercover policing and the murky motives that cloud investigations.