# Project A (1983) Review: Jackie Chan's Pirate-Busting Romp > Project A is Jackie Chan's period action comedy about a coast guard officer fighting pirates in colonial Hong Kong, a loose story built around dazzling stunt work. Canonical: https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/project-a-1983-review/ Published: 2026-07-23 Last updated: 2026-09-24 Author: Kaiser Khan — Founder & Editor Language: English Review basis: direct-viewing Spoilers: none Rating: 3.5/5 ## Verdict Yes, with reservations. The set pieces with Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao are superb, making it a treat for action fans, but the plot is scrappy and the pacing uneven. ## Is Project A worth watching? **Yes, with reservations. Project A is a joyous showcase for Jackie Chan's stunt work and comic timing, and its best sequences are as thrilling as anything he ever made.** It also reunites Chan with his old opera-school brothers Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, and their chemistry is infectious. The trouble is the connective tissue: the story is disjointed, the tone swings wildly and the middle section drags between action scenes. ## What is Project A about? In late 19th-century Hong Kong, the British rule the colony but pirates control the seas around it, raiding ships with impunity. Sergeant Dragon Ma (Chan) of the coast guard is proud of his unit and furious at how powerless it has become, especially compared with the better-funded police force, whose officers, led by an upright captain played by Yuen Biao, treat the coast guard with contempt. When the coast guard is effectively absorbed into the police, Ma finds himself battling rivals, corrupt officials and gangsters on land, while plotting a way to take the fight to the pirates at sea. Along the way, he crosses paths with an old friend turned small-time crook, played by Sammo Hung. [Project A](https://celluloidscore.com/movies/project-a-1983/) is directed by [Jackie Chan](https://celluloidscore.com/stars/asia/hong-kong/jackie-chan/), who co-wrote it. It is a Hong Kong production in Cantonese, it runs 105 minutes, and Dick Wei plays the pirate leader. ## Stunts as slapstick, slapstick as stunts Chan's genius is that he turns dangerous physical feats into comedy, and Project A has several of his finest. A brawl in a bar between coast guard and police is a riot of tumbling bodies and breaking furniture, choreographed with a musical sense of rhythm. A chase through narrow alleys on a bicycle is a small masterpiece of timing, with Chan using every obstacle, rail and doorway as part of the gag. The most famous stunt is a fall from a clock tower that pays tribute to the silent comedian Harold Lloyd, and Chan's willingness to take real, painful risks for a laugh makes it unforgettable. Here you can see the influence of silent clowns such as Buster Keaton on his work, and the beginnings of the stunt-driven style that would reach its peak in Police Story. ## Three brothers, one screen The chance to see Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao together is a large part of the film's appeal. They trained together as children, and their physical rapport is unmistakable when they finally share the screen. Yuen Biao is especially impressive, bringing an acrobatic grace to his fights that complements Chan's scrappier style, and Hung adds comic bluster and surprising agility. The period setting, with its colonial uniforms, sailing ships and cluttered streets, gives the film a rich, adventurous texture that sets it apart from Chan's modern-day cop films. ## Where the plot gets lost at sea For all its brilliant sequences, Project A is structurally messy. The story jumps between several subplots, from police rivalry to gangster intrigue and pirate raids, without always connecting them, and some scenes feel like they belong to a different film. The humour is broad and occasionally grating, and Hung's character does not really come into his own until relatively late. The colonial politics are sketched in very simple terms. ## Who should watch Project A? It suits anyone who loves Hong Kong [action](https://celluloidscore.com/genres/action/) cinema, classic stunt work or physical [comedy](https://celluloidscore.com/genres/comedy/), and anyone curious about Chan's development as a filmmaker. At 105 minutes it is a manageable watch, but be prepared for some slow patches. The violence is frequent but cartoonish, with brawls, falls and sword fights but little blood, so it is suitable for older children and up. Next on the list: - [Police Story](https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/police-story-1985-review/), Chan's modern-day cop film that took the stunt-driven style of Project A to even greater heights. - [Wheels on Meals](https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/wheels-on-meals-1984-review/), another team-up of Chan, Hung and Yuen Biao, with some of their best fight choreography. - [Drunken Master](https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/drunken-master-1978-review/), the kung fu comedy that made Chan a star. ## The verdict Project A is a flawed but often exhilarating action comedy, carried by some of the best stunts of Jackie Chan's career and the joy of seeing him alongside his opera-school brothers. Its messy plot and uneven pacing keep it below his very best work, but its highlights make it essential for fans. **Rating: 3.5/5** ## Related title - [Project A (1983)](https://celluloidscore.com/movies/project-a-1983/) ## Editorial - [Editorial standards](https://celluloidscore.com/about/editorial-policy/) - [Report a correction](https://celluloidscore.com/about/corrections/)