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'First Strike'

Two more like this and Chan’s out. After the relative success (and charms) of "Rumble in the Bronx" and "Supercop," this is a major step backward for the world’s reigning action star.

The problem: There’s simply not enough action, with only two half-decent martial arts encounters, one in the middle of a construction site and the other underwater in a shark aquarium. One of the "Police Story" series, this feels like a needlessly resuscitated James Coburn spy vehicle involving a stolen nuclear warhead and exotic settings (the Ukraine, Australia).

Even Chan seems wan. As always, the plot is superfluous and the dubbing odd, but this time there’s no over-the-top action to rescue the viewer and even the stunts don’t seem particularly spectacular.

Incidentally, that’s Washington band Daisyhaze’s "Jalopy" playing in the background during the traditional collection of stunt blunders at film’s end.

Contains gunfire, explosions and fight scenes, but nothing very offensive.