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Project A Part II (1987) movie poster

Timeline

Project A Part II (1987) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1987 · 105 mins · Cantonese
Starring
Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung, Ray Lui, Peter Chan, Carina Lau, Mars

After being reassigned as head of the Sai Wan police district, Dragon must confront a gangster kingpin, anti‑Manchu revolutionaries, a group of runaway pirates, Manchu loyalists, and a corrupt police superintendent, leading to a series of intense clashes.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Project A Part II
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Project A Part II (1987)

Where can you watch Project A Part II? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Kanopy, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Project A Part II Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Project A Part II (1987) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Dragon Ma reassigned to Sai Wan under new orders

    Pirates vow to kill Dragon Ma in revenge. Dragon Ma is transferred to the Sai Wan district on the recommendation of the Chief Inspector of Marine Force. The move is meant to root out corruption, but rumors persist that Chun's arrests are staged and the criminals he targets are quickly silenced.

    When
    Start
    Where
    Sai Wan district
  2. Dragon learns the police are corrupt and identifies a kingpin

    Dragon Ma discovers that most policemen are taking bribes. Ho, the only upright officer, identifies Tiger Ow as the kingpin behind gambling dens and other illegal enterprises. This revelation sets Dragon on a collision course with the town's underworld.

    When
    Shortly after arrival
    Where
    Sai Wan Police Station
  3. Dragon confronts Tiger Ow with a small force

    Dragon Ma, backed by Ho and three Marine Police allies, confronts Tiger Ow at his gambling dens. A fierce fight ensues, with the odds stacked against them until reinforcements arrive and force the gangsters to surrender. In the end, the criminals are sent to prison and some order returns to the town.

    When
    During the confrontation
    Where
    Tiger Ow's gambling dens
  4. Dragon is assigned to Governor's security for a ball; a trap is set

    Dragon is put in charge of security for a birthday ball for the Governor’s adopted daughter. Chun teams up with revolutionaries to implicate Dragon in a theft of the Governor’s diamond pendant. Dragon is arrested on the false charges.

    When
    After the Ow incident
    Where
    Governor's residence / ball
  5. Carina is kidnapped by imperial agents

    Carina is abducted by agents of the Empress Dowager who work with Chun. They trap her in a wardrobe at Yesan's house while Yesan, Li, Ma, and Ho arrive to intervene. The trap deepens the conspiracy against Dragon.

    When
    Following the ball
    Where
    Yesan's house wardrobe
  6. Ma and Ho escape their handcuffs and hide during the raid

    Yesan and Li arrive; Ma and Ho, handcuffed together, slip into the bathroom and break free. They hide under the bed and lose the key to the handcuffs while Imperial Agents search the room. The Chief Inspector arrives and the tension thickens as Carina remains in peril.

    When
    Immediately after Carina's kidnapping
    Where
    Yesan's house
  7. Yesan pushes Chun out and revolutionaries strike back

    Yesan manages to get Chun to leave the house, buying time for Ma, Ho, and Tung to coordinate with Yesan. The group defeats the Imperial agents present and arrests them, while the revolutionary chief escapes amid the turmoil. The balance of power shifts as the conspiracy within the police intensifies.

    When
    During the confrontation
    Where
    Yesan's house vicinity
  8. Dragon is taken to prison by Chun's hand

    Chun arranges for Dragon to be killed by a prison warden and Dragon is handcuffed by Chun to be transported to the main prison. Carina flees Town with the revolutionaries, leaving Dragon to his fate in the authorities' hands.

    When
    After arrest
    Where
    Prison transport / prison
  9. Pirates and police clash; Dragon's fate at sea

    Pirates attack Dragon and Chun with axes, but the police drive them off. Dragon is handed over to a prison warden, tied in a sack, and thrown into the sea as part of Chun's ruthless plan. The rescue operation by the authorities is only just beginning.

    When
    Following the assault
    Where
    Sea / coastal waters
  10. Revolutionaries rescue Dragon from the sea

    The revolutionaries save Dragon and bring him to their hideout above a medicine store. Dragon refuses to join them actively, insisting he is still a Hong Kong cop at heart, not a revolutionary ally. His reluctant stance creates a wary dynamic between him and the group.

    When
    After the rescue
    Where
    Revolutionaries' hideout above a medicine store
  11. Dragon earns cautious trust by paying for medicine

    The head of the pirates falls ill, and Dragon offers to pay for their medicine. This gesture softens the pirates' view of him and hints at a possible shift in loyalties. The community around the hideout begins to see Dragon in a more favorable light.

    When
    During the stay at the hideout
    Where
    Medicine store vicinity
  12. Imperial agents seize revolutionaries to obtain the black book

    Imperial agents arrive and apprehend most of the revolutionaries to gain possession of the black book. Dragon helps Yessan and Miss Pak escape while safeguarding the book. After a frantic chase and a tense showdown, he defeats the agents with help from the pirates.

    When
    Climactic showdown
    Where
    City streets and hideout
  13. Final takedown and Dragon assumes command of the police

    The Chief Inspector arrives with a large police cohort and orders the arrest of Chun. Chun attempts to flee, but a bamboo-and-wood stage facade collapses on him. On the Chief Inspector's orders, Dragon takes charge of the police and the balance of power settles with him at the helm.

    When
    Final confrontation
    Where
    Town square / stage

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:37

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Timeline questions answered

Project A Part II Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Project A Part II (1987): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Dragon Ma transferred to Sai Wan district?

Dragon Ma was reassigned to Sai Wan as head of the police district on the recommendation of the Chief Inspector of Marine Force. While officially meant to root out corruption in the area, rumors persist that the arrests made by Chun were staged and the criminals he targeted were quickly silenced, suggesting the transfer may have been part of a larger conspiracy rather than a genuine anti-corruption measure.

Foreshadowing: Earlier mentions of Chun's staged arrests hint at the corruption that Dragon will uncover in Sai Wan.

  • dragon ma transfer
  • sai wan
  • police corruption
  • chun
  • chief inspector
Q2

How did Dragon Ma defeat Tiger Ow at the gambling dens?

Dragon Ma, accompanied by Ho and three Marine Police allies, confronted Tiger Ow at his gambling dens. Despite being heavily outnumbered, they fought fiercely until reinforcements arrived, forcing the gangsters to surrender. The criminals were sent to prison, temporarily restoring order to the town.

  • tiger ow
  • gambling dens
  • dragon ma arrest
  • police raid
Q3

Why was Dragon arrested at the Governor's daughter's birthday ball?

Dragon was put in charge of security for the Governor's adopted daughter's birthday ball. During the event, Chun teamed up with revolutionaries to frame Dragon for stealing the Governor's diamond pendant. This false accusation led to Dragon's arrest as part of a coordinated conspiracy to eliminate him.

Foreshadowing: Chun's earlier framing of criminals for staged arrests foreshadows his willingness to use false charges against Dragon.

  • governor ball
  • dragon arrested
  • diamond pendant
  • chun conspiracy
Q4

Who kidnapped Carina and why was she targeted?

Carina was abducted by agents of the Empress Dowager who were working with Chun. She was trapped in a wardrobe at Yesan's house while the conspiracy against Dragon intensified. Her kidnapping was part of the broader plot to discredit and eliminate Dragon Ma.

Foreshadowing: The conspiracy against Dragon escalates after his arrest, with Carina's kidnapping serving as leverage.

  • carina kidnapped
  • imperial agents
  • chun
  • yesan house
Q5

How did Ma and Ho escape from the handcuffs at Yesan's house?

After being handcuffed together, Ma and Ho slipped into the bathroom at Yesan's house and managed to break free from the cuffs. They hid under the bed while Imperial Agents searched the room, losing the key to the handcuffs in the process.

  • ma ho escape
  • handcuffs
  • bathroom
  • yesan house
Q6

Why was Dragon Ma thrown into the sea by Chun?

Chun arranged for Dragon to be killed by a prison warden. Dragon was handcuffed by Chun and transported to the main prison, where he was tied in a sack and thrown into the sea as part of Chun's ruthless plan to eliminate him permanently.

Foreshadowing: The pirates' earlier vow to kill Dragon in revenge sets up multiple life-threatening situations throughout the film.

  • dragon thrown sea
  • chun
  • prison warden
  • sack
Q7

Why did the revolutionaries save Dragon after he refused to join them?

The revolutionaries rescued Dragon from the sea and brought him to their hideout above a medicine store. Although Dragon refused to actively join their cause, insisting he remained a Hong Kong cop at heart, they saved him anyway, likely because he had helped Yesan and Miss Pak escape earlier, and they saw potential value in having a police officer sympathetic to their cause.

Foreshadowing: Dragon's earlier help to Yesan and the revolutionaries during the raid creates the bond that leads to his rescue.

  • revolutionaries rescue
  • dragon
  • hideout
  • medicine store
Q8

What is the black book and why do the imperial agents want it?

The black book appears to be a document of significant importance that the revolutionaries possessed. Imperial agents specifically targeted the revolutionaries to obtain possession of this book, suggesting it contained incriminating information or secrets that could threaten the imperial government.

Foreshadowing: The imperial agents' main objective throughout the climax revolves around obtaining this book.

  • black book
  • imperial agents
  • revolutionaries
  • document
Q9

How did Dragon defeat the imperial agents at the hideout?

Dragon helped Yesan and Miss Pak escape while safeguarding the black book. During a frantic chase and tense showdown, Dragon defeated the imperial agents with assistance from the pirates, who had shifted their loyalty after Dragon paid for medicine when their head fell ill.

Foreshadowing: Dragon's earlier gesture of paying for medicine softens the pirates' attitude toward him, paving the way for their alliance.

  • imperial agents defeat
  • hideout
  • pirates
  • black book rescue
Q10

What happened to Chun at the end of the movie?

The Chief Inspector arrived with a large police cohort and ordered Chun's arrest. Chun attempted to flee, but a bamboo-and-wood stage facade collapsed on him. Dragon subsequently took command of the police on the Chief Inspector's orders, bringing the story to a happy ending with Dragon victorious.

Foreshadowing: The accumulating evidence of Chun's corruption throughout the film builds toward his inevitable downfall.

  • chun arrested
  • stage collapse
  • dragon police chief
  • final confrontation
Q11

Why did the pirates switch sides and help Dragon?

Initially, the pirates vowed to kill Dragon Ma in revenge. However, after Dragon offered to pay for medicine when their head fell ill during his stay at the revolutionaries' hideout, their view of him changed. This gesture of good faith shifted their loyalties, leading them to assist Dragon in defeating the imperial agents.

Foreshadowing: The pirates' initial vow of revenge establishes their hostile relationship with Dragon, making their eventual alliance meaningful.

  • pirates switch sides
  • medicine payment
  • dragon
  • loyalty shift

Movie threads

More Movies Like Project A Part II, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Project A Part II tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Chaotic Action Comedy Movies like Project A Part II

Stories where relentless, fast-paced action seamlessly blends with high-energy slapstick humor. If you enjoyed the blend of martial arts and comedy in Project A Part II, you'll love these movies that mix high-intensity action with energetic slapstick. Discover similar films featuring playful heroes, relentless pacing, and a triumphant, happy ending after a whirlwind of chaotic fun.

  • slapstick
  • chaotic
  • energetic
  • playful
  • triumphant
  • relentless
  • Tone: light, playful, triumphant
  • Pacing: fast, relentless, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a resourceful protagonist juggling multiple, converging threats, leading to a non-stop series of clashes and chases. The plot structure is a vehicle for delivering spectacular set pieces where physical prowess and comedic timing are equally important, culminating in a satisfying victory.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a unique and specific balance: a high-intensity, fast-paced action core is consistently lightened by a dominant comedic tone. The emotional weight is kept light, and the experience is prioritized as a joyful, energetic ride over deep drama.

Action Movies About One Hero Against a Corrupt System like Project A Part II

Tales of a lone hero taking on an entire web of corruption and villains single-handedly. Fans of Project A Part II's story of a cop fighting gangsters, pirates, and corrupt officials will enjoy these movies about a lone hero battling a complex web of enemies. Find similar stories of epic heroes, political intrigue, and intense combat where justice prevails through sheer determination.

  • triumphant
  • relentless
  • strategic
  • corrupt
  • heroic
  • underdog
  • Tone: hopeful, tense, triumphant
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a classic 'hero against the world' structure. The protagonist, often an incorruptible figure like a police officer, is thrust into a situation where they cannot trust the system meant to support them. They must navigate a landscape of multiple antagonistic factions, strategically confronting each threat until a final, cathartic resolution.

Why they belong together: These films share a focus on a resilient central character facing a complex but not overly complicated network of adversaries. The appeal lies in the hero's journey of overcoming a seemingly insurmountable challenge through a combination of physical action, clever strategy, and unwavering integrity.

If you liked this

Movies Like Project A Part II

Similar movies to Project A Part II: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Project A Part II (1987) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Project A Part II in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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