Shanghai Noon
(2000)
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An action-comedy with a decidedly Western twist, SHANGHAI NOON features astounding acrobatics from superstar Jackie Chan. Chong Wang (Chan) is a dedicated member of the Chinese Imperial Guard. When the emperor's former captain, Lo Fong (Roger Yuan), oversees an illegal operation that involves kidnapping Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu) and bringing her to America's wild West, it's up to Chong to save the day. Eventually partnering with outlaw Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson), Chong uses his Eastern skills to face Western conflicts. SHANGHAI NOON is an action-packed comedy with great chemistry between stars Chan and Wilson. |
Visually authentic and deliciously anachronistic, this period western from martial arts maestro Jackie Chan is a hugely enjoyable combination of buddy comedy and adventure. Sent to the States to rescue a kidnapped princess (Lucy Liu), Chan's Imperial Palace guard hooks up with outlaw Owen Wilson, who proves to be his equal in the fish-out-of-water stakes. Whether using antlers, sheriff's badges or horseshoes to prize himself out of a tight corner, Chan is pure slapstick poetry in motion: falling off horses, getting riotously drunk and confusing slave-owning louse Roger Yuan and corrupt sheriff Xander Berkeley. This fast-moving caper gently sends-up a well-loved genre and will provide a couple of hours of unrestrained entertainment.
Halliwell's Film Guide
Engaging mix of martial arts and comedy that will pass an agreeable hour or two; its slicker wit is a welcome change to Chan's more usual slapstick comedy.