In the 1970s, "Police Story" was the best police show on TV. In the late 1980s, someone thought it would be a good idea to start airing movies under the "Police Story" heading. However, instead of making new episodes, they just remade some of the original shows. "Police Story: Cop Killer" is one of the remakes of an original great episode. However, of the four remake "Police Story" movies I've found, two are based on the very worst episodes of the series!
Officer Mandell and his partner stop a car that has run a red light. However, instead of being a routine case, it turns out that the folks in the car are armed and VERY dangerous. Out of the blue, the driver grabs the partner and threatens to kill him unless Mandell drops his gun. Mandell won't do that, as it's against department policy and dropping his gun would likely get them both killed. A shootout occurs and Mandell shoots both of the suspects...but his partner is killed in the process. This will definitely screw you up...but when Mandell is given an award for valor for this incident, he cannot handle it and he is an emotional wreck.
I always prefer originals, so the 1977 episode would be my first choice. But the remake isn't bad. It is a bit weaker because it didn't show the extent of Mandell and his partner's affection for each other...they truly were best friends in the '77 show. Here, it seems more like a guy losing a partner he liked. Apart from that, the remake is very good and couldn't help but be because the story itself is great.
