Site icon The Movie Isle

4K UHD Review: Arrow Video’s Jackie Chan’s Breakout Hits (Special Edition)  

A.W. Kautzer
Jackie Chan's Breakout Hits

Jackie Chan's Breakout Hits

Advertisements

Arrow Video has produced one of the best box sets of 2026 with Jackie Chan’s Breakout Hits.  Collecting the very best of the superstar’s HK Action Work in beautiful 4K Glory.   

Preface: A Word About Jackie Chan…

It should be stated that Jackie Chan is this reviewer’s favorite movie star.  Not even favorite action star, or favorite martial arts star, but just movie star, period, end of discussion.  There is a joy that every Jackie Chan film brings that fills the heart and soul.

It should be noted these are much more informal reviews than I normally write.  Even so far as to call the star “Jackie” instead of by his last name, which is my custom.  I found myself doing this early on and was going to stop myself but didn’t.  I kept on with it through all of my reviews here. 

Why would you ask?  Because Jackie is more than just a movie star.  He’s someone I’ve come to know over thousands of hours in front of TV and Movie screens.  Someone I’ve laughed with, cheered for, cringed at the injuries, and even cried with (yes, it’s true).  He’s been there for me at my lowest when no one else was.  A beacon of humor, humanity, and light during the darkest moments.  I could always put on a Jackie film, and it’d make me feel good at least for a while.  

Jackie, for many, not just me, is more than a superstar… he’s family.  

So, when I speak about Jackie, know… I speak from the heart.  In my heart, there are no bad Jackie movies.  

The Films

Drunken Master II 

This was one of those sacred texts like Hard Boiled, Audition, Ringu, The Killer, The Guyver, Akira, or any other piece of Asian cinema from the 1990s that you discovered via a fifth or sixth generation pirated VHS or VCDs (yes, my laserdisc player played VCDs). I still remember my first version purchased from the Los Angeles Comic Book Convention showroom floor.  It was so pixilated you could barely make out the burned-in subtitles. Subtitles are not the film is as entertaining a piece of cinema as Jackie has ever produced.  

Jackie had already made multiple masterpieces by the time he made Drunken Master II unleashed onto the world.  Drunken Master II is Jackie setting out to prove he is the premier action star in the world without equal. In its 102-minute run time, the Lau Kar-Leung-directed sequel proves that, without a doubt, with action scenes so breathless and varied in execution that it makes a film like Project A or Police Story look ordinary by comparison.  

The complexity of physicality on display by not just Jackie but the entire stunt crew is beyond reproach.  It isn’t just how Jackie bends to the will of the stunts but just how much danger he puts himself in that adds a metatextual layer to every action set piece.  The finale is the perfect example of what Jackie is willing to do in the name of entertaining his audience.  The climactic fight is set in a foundry as Jackie fights the villains (evil colonizer industrialist, I mean, is there any other kind) around and atop white-hot coals.  You know Jackie will be fine, but “fine” is a relative word.  

If you need proof, not that anyone would, of Jackie refuses to fake anything, watch the end credit sequence (a Jackie tradition) and see just how close everyone came to burning asunder.  

Rumble in the Bronx 

Jackie has this film to thank as much as he does the MTV Movie Awards lifetime achievement to thank for the beginning of his rise in popularity.  That MTV Movie Awards clip package was the perfect introduction to a generation who just wasn’t aware of Jackie’s game.  What game Jackie had.  

The power of the film comes in its simplicity. Jackie comes to NYC to help his uncle sell his Market.  The Market is besieged by a “New York Gang”.  Jackie fights, and stunts ensue, including a finale that includes a hovercraft and Lambogini.  Cue end credit sequence.  All done in the matter of 105 minutes (if you wisely choose to watch the original, far superior HK Cut of the film).  

It’s easy to see why this was a crossover hit in the West (aka the United States).  Beyond the fact that it was made with more of a Western audience in mind (hence the lack of a lot of subtitles and Jackie dubbing his own voice when necessary).  Rumble in the Bronx is Jackie at his most likable and relatable.  The plot doesn’t require any knowledge of history.  Yes, he’s a cop, but he’s on vacation.  He isn’t taking down a drug ring or gun runners.  He’s merely trying to get a bunch of bullies to stop being bullies.  

Everything feels ground level, though heightened in the way that all Jackie’s films are heightened.  Even if he made a small comedy (he has, see his recent Ride On as proof), Jackie’s sense of showmanship wouldn’t allow him to not put in some stunt work.  Though it isn’t that showmanship that endears him to us.  It’s the fact that he may well be one of the most charming stars of his era.  One that understands what people want to see from him better than he does.  Rumble in the Bronx reminds us of that as it’s possibly one of his entries of the 90s.  

Thunderbolt

If Rumble in the Bronx was made for Western audiences.  Then Thunderbolt was definitely one for his Japanese fanbase. Many non-Jackie fans may not know the star’s near Beatles-esque following in Japan.  So much so, films are often filmed in Japan to cater to the fanbase.  Many of his films feature alternate cuts in Japan.  Jackie was even allowed to make City Hunter (the much beloved Manga/Anime title) into a live-action version to great success and much fanfare.  So, it makes sense that Thunderbolt is a story set in the world of spec motorsports.  

Many would say this is Jackie’s Fast and Furious, with its mixture of racing, crime, and action, but it’s more Jackie’s Initial D.  An underdog story of a once-promising driver with the Mitsubishi motor group is forced to go back to Hong Kong and help his family’s towing company.  Add in an international group of criminals and a rogue Interpol agent played by every HK Action film fan’s favorite American import, Michael Wong (IYKYK), and you’ve got an overheated genre film that’s all about “family”.  

To call Thunderbolt a hodgepodge mess of a film is an understatement.  There are plot points that make no logical sense even for an HK actioner (e.g., the main villain is put into prison, broken out, commits multiple murders, and is still allowed to race). That being said, it’s a hell of a lot of fun and has a more seriously harder hitting tone than one’s used to in a Jackie film.  That may be due to the influence of co-action director Sammo Hung.  Hung’s films have always had a harder, meaner streak to them, and here is no different.  There is a moment mid-film where the villains destroy the family’s junkyard that’s impressive as it is cruel.  Though the fisticuffs are good, it’s the racing that’s the standout here.  Jackie (who also co-directed as he does in all his films), director Gordon Chan, and Sammo elevate the racing scenes and make them as thrilling and dangerous-looking as anything in F1: The Movie.  

That’s probably because the racing was as dangerous as it seems.  All one needs to do is watch the ending credits to see the proof.  Yes, Thunderbolt isn’t a great film, but like all Jackie’s work in the 1990s, it’s more entertaining than anything being produced by his contemporaries.  

Police Story 4: First Strike

Jackie goes James Bond with First Strike (aka Police Story 4: First Strike).  There is definitely an elevation to everything in the fourth entry in the franchise.  Though one can’t help but feel a slight twinge knowing that Michelle Yeoh does not return.  Part of what made Supercop (Police Story 3: Supercop) such a masterpiece was the addition of Yeoh and combining her charisma with Jackie’s and how they played off one another.  Without that comedic tension and dual action charisma, the film suffers.  

It is a lot of fun seeing Jackie globetrotting from one epic action scene to the next in a series of ever crazier fight and/or chase scenes.  Though the standout is the mid-film ski chase that outdoes Bond and Inception because neither Roger Moore nor Leo DiCaprio ever did their own stunts as Jackie does here.  Also of note is the ladder fight scene, which one can feel the bruises being inflicted as you watch it unfold.  

First Strike is a lot of fun, but when coming out after the perfection of Supercop, one can feel the quality dip.  Best advice: do not watch Supercop anywhere close to this entry for maximum enjoyment.  

Mr. Nice Guy 

Jackie’s a good cook in the wrong place. 

That’s literally the entire plot to Mr. Nice Guy.  The Sammo Hung-directed film that was meant to emulate the success of Rumble in the Bronx.  So much so, it could have been just called Rumble in the Sydney.  The film is essentially one long chase as the bad guys are after an incriminating video filmed by an intrepid reporter (Gabrielle Fitzpatrick).  

There are some truly great action sequences, with the topper being the finale that tries to outdo the hovercraft scene in Rumble.  They raise your hovercraft with a MINING HAUL TRUCK (made infamous now by Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman).  It’s an impressive feat of physicality because the truck is actually there, no miniatures or CG.  

Jackie seems to be having a great time on vacation in Australia and occasionally working.  All jokes aside, this feels like more of the Dragon Warriors/Project A 2 Jackie with a lot of chases and running away from mobs of angry villains.  Though this has something that Rumble doesn’t… Richard Norton.  The HK-Based Western actor who plays basically the white villain in most of the HK Action films of the 1980s and 1990s.  Seeing Norton ham it up and share some screen time with Jackie is well worth it.  

Who Am I? 

If First Strike is Jackie’s James Bond, then Who Am I? is Jackie’s Bourne Identity.  This spy thriller takes its plot directly from the Ludlum novels.  A spy on an international mission gets into an accident, causing amnesia.  As those responsible find out he’s still alive, they set out to determine if he’s a threat and neutralize said threat.  

So, let’s be honest.  The first part of this film with the whole The Gods Must Be Crazy style plot line… not such a good look.  It’s not good, but it isn’t mean-spirited or demeaning in its intent.  Many may see it as such, but that section comes from Jackie’s true intention to be a world citizen and welcoming of everyone (see his recent Panda Plan 2 for similar themes).  

The film feels very Jackie as a spy film with some solid action scenes.  One standout moment is a building chase scaling across a glass roof (I see what you did, Tom Cruise, stealing every gag from Jackie… we all see you, bro!).  It’s actually a low-key affair with moments of action, but much of it feels plot-driven more than action.  Though the car chase sequences, which there are two (one rally sport scene, another on the streets of Rotterdam), are truly standouts.  

The Transfers

Each film has an all-new 4K restoration from the original negatives by Arrow Films, presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible). Arrow has done it again.  These films look absolutely stunning. STUNNING.  There isn’t a blemish or issue with any of the films in both their original Hong Kong iterations and what they are calling the International Cuts.  Each preserved on a 4K Disc of its own.  So, no matter your preference, you’re getting an absolutely flawless presentation of that film.  

Note: In the case of Thunderbolt and Drunken Master II.   Drunken Master II is only presented in its Hong Kong version.  Thunderbolt (Japanese Cut) is included as a special feature (in High Definition, not 4K).   

The Extras

They include the following;

LIMITED 10-DISC 4K UHD COLLECTION CONTENTS

DISC 1 – DRUNKEN MASTER II

DISC 2 – RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (HONG KONG CUT)

DISC 3 – RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (INTERNATIONAL CUT)

DISC 4 – THUNDERBOLT

DISC 5 – POLICE STORY 4: FIRST STRIKE (HONG KONG CUT)

DISC 6 – POLICE STORY 4: FIRST STRIKE (INTERNATIONAL CUT)

DISC 7 – MR. NICE GUY (JAPANESE & HONG KONG CUTS)

DISC 8 – MR. NICE GUY (INTERNATIONAL CUT)

DISC 9 – WHO AM I? (HONG KONG CUT)

DISC 10 – WHO AM I? (INTERNATIONAL CUT)

DISC 1 – DRUNKEN MASTER II

The all-new audio commentary by martial arts cinema experts Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto begins with their introductions before discussing that this is the 4K debut of the film and how Djeng says it is the last truly great “pure Kung Fu movie”.  Some of the details include the literal translation of the title; the box office results of the film; how this is a sequel but one in name only, as this is a standalone film; history of the era in which the film takes place and the historical figures portrayed in the film; some of the plot tropes that are used in this film and throughout his career; a discussion of the work of Jackie Chan and Lau Kar-leung both as co-starts and directors – as Lau Kar-leung left the production half way through the film; a discussion of the personal and professional life of Atina Mui; DeSanto’s account of meeting Jackie Chan during the press of this film; Wong Fei-hung, the real life hero in Chinese history, who Jackie Chan is playing but how different this fictionalize version is and the many different actors have portrayed him; a discussion of the various action set pieces and the fight choreography throughout the film; a discussion throughout about the various locations the production used in China and the studio work they did back in Hong Kong; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors, stunt performers and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open, you’ll want to write some of the films down; and much more.

Before the Breakout (8:50) – is an all-new featurette in which stuntman Wang Yao, academic Dr. Wayne Wong and critics David West and James Mudge look back at Jackie Chan’s earlier career leading up to the smash success of Drunken Master II.  This charts his beginnings and rise to prominence in Hong Kong, the highs and lows of his early career, the behind-the-scenes drama, and eventually the ascent to superstardom and what separated him from other stars before him and how he changed the course of the genre.  In English and Chinese with English Subtitles.   

Breakout! Part 1: Drunken Master II (9:28) – is an all-new featurette in which Dr. Wayne Wong, critics David West, James Mudge, and stuntman Mars look back at the context in which Jackie Chan made the sequel to his breakout box office blockbuster and what makes the film one of Jackie’s greatest films.  The group discusses some of the problems that arose during the making of the film and Jackie taking over the production and its eventual success. In English and Chinese with English Subtitles.    

Deadly When Drunken, Yuen Kai-chi Remembers Drunken Master II (12:17) – is an all-new interview with co-writer Yuen Kai-chi.  Yuen opens with how it was director Lau Kar-leung to make a sequel to Drunken Master.  The screenwriter goes on to detail the development of the screenplay, adding another screenwriter, the casting and need for strong actors to pair with Jackie, how the film was the beginning of the China-set period pieces that would become all the rage in the 1990s, how behind the scenes Jackie had to take over directing because Lau was not feeling well, the rewriting of the film, the differences in styles between Jackie and Lau as directors, and much more. In Chinese with English subtitles.  

Tipsy Tribulations, Stuntman Mars on Drunken Master II (10:47) – in this all-new interview with the stuntman, he opens with how he met Jackie through working with Sammo Hung during the early days of Jackie and Sammo’s career.  Mars goes on to discuss his responsibilities on Drunken Master II,  what director Lau Kar-leung brought to the film when it came to the fights and action choreography, which was different for a Jackie Chan film, the injury he suffered doing multiple stunts in the finale, his relationship with actor Ti Lung, and much more.  In Chinese with English subtitles.  

Period Postures, The History Behind Drunken Master II (12:17) – in this all-new interview with academic Dr. Lars Laamann on the historical context behind the film.  Dr. Laamann does a great job of giving a simplified and streamlined version of the timeframe, politics, culture, historical figures, and region in which Drunken Master II takes place.

Drunken Defiance, Ricky Baker on a Superior Sequel (10:22) – is an all-new appreciation of the film by martial arts cinema expert Ricky Baker.  Baker opens his appreciation with how Eastern Condors reinvigorated his love of martial arts film and his first experience seeing Drunken Master II (seeing the film two times in a row).  The critic goes on to discuss what makes the film not just a better film than the original but one of the all-time great martial arts films ever produced and much more.  

Behind the Master (6:40) – is an archive interview with Jackie Chan filmed for the American release in 2000.  The Star discusses why the film took so long to get a theatrical release in the United States after the film was a huge success around the world.  Chan also discusses the plot, characters, themes, and stunts/choreography of the film and more.  

Mandarin Version Excerpts – access through a submenu. 

Textless outtakes (2:27) – outtakes present full screen without credits.  

Chinese New Year messages (0:42) – these messages were recorded by Jackie for the Taiwanese and Malaysian openings.  Noted in the preface is the fact that the messages were taken from a VHS dub. 

Trailer gallery – accessed through a submenu.

Image gallery – consists of 29 production stills, lobby cards, and poster art.  The gallery can be navigated by using your next and back chapter stop buttons. 

DISC 2 – RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (HONG KONG CUT)

The all-new audio commentary by martial arts cinema experts Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto begins with their introductions, with FJ doing the intro instead of Djeng, who normally does this, before discussing the fact that this is their 42nd commentary track.  Some of the details include the literal translation of the title; the box office results of the film, which was the number 1 film of the year in Hong Kong; this is the first release of the HK version of the film, which differs from the New Line release; the dubbing done by Jackie Chan for the English portions for English speaking portions, which is the beginning of Chan dubbing all of his films for Western audiences; a discussion of Chan becoming a superstar in the West and how this changed his films; why so many Jackie Chan regulars (actor’s that appeared regularly during the 80s) that began to not show up after Rumble; a discussion of the cinematography by Jingle Ma, and the other films he did for Jackie and others; the complexity of the original dub mix and the changeover in the New Line Cinema dub; the budget and release of the film; interesting discussion of the ratings/classification boards in Hong Kong and what will get you a Category 3 (the equivalent of an R/NC-17 rating in the US); a discussion of the action direction by Ching Siu-tung and the work of the Jackie Chan stunt team and how this is more grounded than prior films;  a discussion of the stunt work and action scenes throughout; a larger discussion of what was cut out of the New Line Cinema version; a larger discussion of the collaboration between director Stanley Tong and Jackie Chan and the specific style and tone of their films; a discussion throughout about the various locations the production used in Canada; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open you’ll want to write some of the films down; and much more.

Breakout! Part 2, Rumble in the Bronx (14:32) – in this all-new featurette looking into Jackie’s failed attempts to break into the US in the 1980s and eventually how Rumble in the Bronx changed the tide and what gave the film such crossover appeal.  The featurette goes on to reveal details of making the film in Canada and more.  Featuring interviews with stuntman Mars, stuntwoman Kathy Hubble, martial arts cinema expert Ricky Baker, and critics David West and James Mudge.  In English and Chinese with English Subtitles.    

Rumble Recollections, An Interview with Kathy Hubble (18:44) – is an all-new interview with stuntwoman Kathy Hubble, which is an expansion of Hubble’s interview from Breakout! Part 2.  Hubble discusses how she got a start as a stuntwoman at an early age, from being a national Judo champion to eventually being hired for The Stepfather and her experiences in that production.   She goes into further detail about her part in the film, the stunt work, working with Jackie, the Jackie Chan Stunt team, and much more.  

Textless outtakes (3:33) – outtakes present full screen without credits.  

Alternate footage – accessible through a submenu. 

Image gallery – consists of 71 production stills, lobby cards, and poster art.  The gallery can be navigated by using your next and back chapter stop buttons.

DISC 3 – RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (INTERNATIONAL CUT)

Additional Scenes from TV Version (5:24) – for the network TV version, two scenes were added with brand-new English dubbing unique to this version.  Note all of it is presented in 4K from the original Hong Kong cut of the film with the new dubbing in place.  

EPK interview with Jackie Chan (2:55) – taken from the US Press tour for the film where Jackie talks about his persona and the fact he does his own stunts.  

US Theatrical trailer (1:09)

TV spots – accessible through a submenu. 

DISC 4 – THUNDERBOLT

The all-new audio commentary by martial arts cinema experts Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto begins with their introductions before discussing this rarely seen film outside of Hong Kong and Japan.  Some of the details include the literal translation of the title; the box office results of the film, which was the second-highest-grossing Hong Kong film right behind Rumble in the Bronx;  the production was a hybrid of Hong Kong and international-focused film; the film was shot in sync sound; how after this film most of the time Jackie’s characters are named Jackie for his international non-US Studio films; the difference in Jackie’s fighting style in films choreographed by Sammo Hung verses Jackie and others; Mitsubishi’s association with Jackie Chan and his productions; a larger discussion of the various action set pieces and the various stunt team members and action directors involved including Bennie Chan, Sammo Hung, Corey Yuen and many more; a discussion throughout about the various locations the production used around the world including Japan and Hong Kong; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open you’ll want to write some of the films down; and much more.

97-minute Japanese Cut with lossless Cantonese/English sync-sound stereo audio (high-definition only) – more of a curiosity than anything else. This much shorter version (by twenty minutes) is okay, but any Jackie fan or anyone that’s into action cinema will want to watch the original HK cut of the film.  One strength of this cut of the film is that it does manage to cut some of the rougher acting issues that the film has.  

Breakout! Part 3, Thunderbolt (12:21) – in this all-new featurette looking into what the critics here call one of Jackie’s most interesting films, as it is not a martial arts film nor a straight action film but a racing film that’s all but been forgotten, though it was a giant hit at the time.  Discussing this film, which was one of the most expensive films that Jackie had ever produced, how it was primarily produced for Japanese audiences, how it goes against the type of Jackie’s filmography at the time (more serious, about racing and not acts of daredevil stunts), the difficulty of the production (including the fact that Mars says it took six directors to complete the film), how they shot some of the most dangerous scenes of Jackie’s career and just how difficult it was, and much more. Featuring interviews with stuntman Mars, critics David West and James Mudge, and dubbing supervisor Paul Clay.  In English and Chinese with English Subtitles.    

A Thunderous Presence, Paul Clay on Dubbing Jackie Chan (8:32) – is an all-new interview with dubbing supervisor Paul Clay, which is an expansion of Clay’s interview from Breakout! Part 3.  Beginning with Clay’s first collaboration with Jackie Chan on Police Story 2 and the “recasting” of Chan’s voice for Western audiences.  Clay goes on to discuss how the dubbing process works from a pragmatic view of how one actually replaces the dialog, the workload on Thunderbolt and the complexity of the work, the issues that come up when you work with Jackie Chan and time constraints, and much more.  

Textless outtakes (4:01) – outtakes present full screen without credits.  

Alternate English export credits (5:30)

International trailer (1:30)

Japanese Jackie Trailers – accessed through a submenu.  All presented off what appears to be VHS dubs of the trailers.  

Image gallery – consists of 95 production stills, lobby cards, and poster art.  The gallery can be navigated by using your next and back chapter stop buttons.

DISC 5 – POLICE STORY 4: FIRST STRIKE (HONG KONG CUT)

The all-new audio commentary by martial arts cinema experts Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto begins with FJ doing introductions before discussing the fourth film in the Police Story series.  Some of the details include the literal translation of the title; the box office results of the film, which was the top film in Hong Kong that year; how this is a sequel but one that does not have many of the series cast, and has a more international flavor with much of it filmed in Australia; Djeng’s experience seeing the film for the first time with Jackie Chan which was a work print of the film; the evolution of Jackie Chan’s ability to act in English; the evolution of the Jackie Chan comedy in this film and also how his productions began to change post-Rumble in the Bronx; what HK audiences thought about Chan’s career move; the difference between the HK and New Line Cinema cut which took out 20 minutes of footage, has a different score, and was all dubbed into English; the reason why so many of these films are set in Australia and Jackie’s personal ties to the country; a larger discussion of the various action scenes and stunt work and how it was accomplished; a discussion of how drastically cut the New Line Cinema release was compared to the HK cut of the film; a discussion throughout about the various locations the production used around the world; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open you’ll want to write some of the films down; and much more.

Breakout! Part 4, Police Story 4: First Strike (7:33) – in this all-new featurette that looks at how strong a force Jackie Chan was at the time when the HK film industry was in a downturn.  They dive into the massive success of the film, how the film got labelled as part of the Police Story series, what separates the first Police Story films and First Strike, the international flavor of Jackie’s productions in the 1990s, and much more.  Featuring interviews with critics David West and James Mudge. 

Textless outtakes (3:32) – outtakes present full screen without credits.  

Image gallery – consists of 95 production stills, behind-the-scenes stills, lobby cards, and poster art.  The gallery can be navigated by using your next and back chapter stop buttons.

DISC 6 – POLICE STORY 4: FIRST STRIKE (INTERNATIONAL CUT)

Striking Back, Frank Djeng on First Strike (11:49) – is an all-new interview with martial arts cinema expert Frank Djeng that begins with the ending of the debate if First Strike is an actual direct sequel to Super Cop and the telltale signs it is.  Djeng goes on to discuss Jackie’s evolution from cop to a sort of super spy/James Bond type and how the action reflects that, the collaboration between director Stanley Tong and Jackie, the success of the film in HK but not in the US when compared to Rumble in the Bronx, which was released just a year later, how Jackie was even more focused on conquering the US after this and Rumble, and much more.  

Additional Scenes added for the TV Version (10:22) – for the network TV version, 16 scenes were added with brand-new English dubbing unique to this version.  Note all of it is presented in 4K from the original Hong Kong cut of the film with the new dubbing in place.  

US Theatrical trailer (1:36)

DISC 7 – MR. NICE GUY (JAPANESE & HONG KONG CUTS)

The all-new commentary by critic James Mudge begins with his credentials before diving into the film that he says is “quite divisive” because of how different it is from Jackie Chan’s HK output and what makes it so different from something like Project A or Super Cop.  Some of the details include where Jackie Chan was in his career as he made this film with Sammo Hung; how this is the first HK film that was in English Language and made for Western markets – and a discussion of the various attempts to break Jackie in the West (like The Protector or Battle Creek Brawl); the nature of the comedy in the film and how un-PC and unacceptable it was; a discussion of this era of Jackie Chan films as it was more focused on Western audiences; a discussion of the plot and criticisms of it; some of the more troubling characterizations of the female characters and the history of this within HK films; where the inspiration came from Jackie being a TV Chef; why Australia chosen as the production location and the diaspora and cultural relevance during the era with the HK turnover to China; screenwriter Edward Tang and this collaboration with Jackie through his career beyond just writing; a discussion of the various films released at the same time; the commercial success of the film in Hong Kong box office; a discussion of the various versions of the film (e.g., the New Line cut, the Japanese cut and the original HK/Jackie/Sammo cut); a larger discussion of the various action scenes – a dissection of the scenes’ classic Jackie moments, newer style of action, the scale and how it was all accomplished; a larger discussion of the various actors and stunt performers (including HK Stalwarts like Richard Norton) who appear in the film; and much more. 

Breakout! Part 5, Mr. Nice Guy (8:24) – in this all-new featurette looking into one of the first Post-Rumble in the Bronx films that is ripe for rediscovery.  The featurette goes on to discuss how many did not see the original HK Cut but rather the abbreviated New Line cut of the film, the Jackie persona as a character in the films in the 1990s with no arc or difference in character, the inability for Jackie to be a romantic lead and the reasons why, and much more.  Featuring interviews with stuntman Mars and critics David West and James Mudge.  

Nice Thoughts, Frank Djeng on Mr. Nice Guy (11:56) – is an all-new interview with martial arts cinema expert Frank Djeng.  Djeng does a more condensed version of his commentary tracks here, giving us context for how Mr. Nice Guy was made in the wake of the success of Rumble in the Bronx, the continued push to Western audiences which finally happened in a huge way with the release of Rush Hour, the style of films that were produced by Jackie even in HK, and much more. 

Alternate English credits (1:20) – these credits are different from the New Line Cinema credit sequence.  

Textless outtakes (4:19) – outtakes present full screen without credits.  

HK Theatrical Trailer (2:24) – pulled from what appears to be a VHS dub. It is in English but has burned-in Chinese Subtitles.   

Image gallery – consists of 45 production stills, lobby cards, and poster art.  The gallery can be navigated by using your next and back chapter stop buttons.

DISC 8 – MR. NICE GUY (INTERNATIONAL CUT)

US Theatrical trailer (1:38)

DISC 9 – WHO AM I? (HONG KONG CUT)

The all-new commentary by critic James Mudge begins with his credentials before diving into the film that he says is quite a different entry into Jackie’s filmography.  Some of the details include this was the last film that Jackie would direct (or co-direct) until 2012’s Chinese Zodiac; how successful the film was at the HK Box Office; the various similar globe-trotting films in Jackie’s career and where it falls in that genre; a discussion of the possible cultural insensitivity towards the African characters; the writing of a Jackie film and how fluid it is – including a discussion of co-writers Susan Chan and Lee Reynolds; a discussion of the strong ties to Japan Jackie has and his casting of Japanese actors; the rally racing that feature prompently in the film and a discussion of Jackie’s work in the Cannon Ball Runseries; the work of cinematographer Poon Hang Sang and his collaboration throughout Jackie’s career; the VFX in the film which leads to an interesting conversation about late 90s VFX and HK VFX specifically; a discussion of the various versions of the film; the various locations around the world the production filmed at; a larger discussion of the various actors and stunt performers that appeared in the film; and much more. 

Breakout! Part 6, Who am I? (9:48) – in this all-new featurette looking at the international HK production that Jackie and company embarked on with Who Am I?.  The featurette dives into the making of the film and how difficult it was to produce from those who were there and what it meant for Jackie’s career from a critical perspective.  Featuring interviews with critic James Mudge, actor Glory Simon, and second unit cinematographer Ray Wong.

From Drunk to Slam Dunk: Jackie Chan in the New Millennium (20:07) – an all-new featurette looking at Jackie’s career post-Who Am I? in the 2000s and beyond.  The featurette does a great job at looking at not just Chan’s success in the West but his work in Mainland China and how it’s been both successful and not so successful, the formulas that appear to work for Western audiences in Chan’s films and what has not.  Featuring interviews with critic James Mudge, actor Glory Simon, second unit cinematographer Ray Wong, stuntwoman Kathy Hubble, stuntmen Wang Yao and Mars, martial arts cinema expert Ricky Baker, and critic David West. 

The Making of Who Am I? – This three-part documentary can be accessed via a submenu.  Produced by Golden Harvest at the time of the production in 2000, this is a detailed look at the making of the Jackie Chan action thriller over three continents.  The access given to the making-of crew and time spent detailing the production is unprecedented for an HK production.  The highlight is definitely Jackie’s On-Set Diary section, which, as described, is an account of the production from Chan’s point of view.  A combination of both personal/private moments along with the bigger aspects of the production creates a canny look at Chan as he works. There is unfortunately no “play all feature”.  Presented in Standard Definition (the documentary was shot on SD Video).  In Cantonese with English Subtitles. 

Alternate English credits (6:54) – note this is pulled from a VHS dub of these credits which are different from the New Line Cinema credit sequence.  

Textless outtakes (3:39) – outtakes present full screen without credits.  

HK Theatrical Trailer (2:27) – pulled from what appears to be a VHS dub. In Cantonese with English Subtitles. 

Image gallery – consists of 45 production stills, lobby cards, and poster art.  The gallery can be navigated by using your next and back chapter stop buttons.

DISC 10 – WHO AM I? (INTERNATIONAL CUT)

Who, When & Where (8:15) – in this all-new interview with second unit cinematographer Ray Wong, which is an expansion of Wong’s interview from Breakout! Part 6, he details not just how he shot the Malaysian part of the action shoot but the complexities of working with multiple crews on an action film.  In Cantonese with English Subtitles.  

Jostling with Jackie, Glory Simon Remembers Who Am I? (8:32) – in this all-new interview with actor Glory Simon, which is an expansion of Simon’s interview from Breakout! Part 6, opens with how she grew up in Hong Kong and eventually became an actor.  Simon goes on to discuss what it is like to work with Chan but also to spend time off-set with the star, the prop she tried to keep but the production wouldn’t let her, the other film that she did with Chan, and much more. 

US Video trailer (2:02)

The Final Thought 

Arrow Video has outdone themselves; the Jackie Chan Breakout Hits box set is one of the releases of 2026.   Highest Possible Recommendations!! 

Arrow Video’s Jackie Chan’s Breakout Hits 4K UHD Box set is out now.   

Exit mobile version