| SHANGHAI NOON |
 2000 - USADirector:
Tom Dey - Reviewed by Frankie  One reason I think Jackie Chan is such a hit with American audiences is
because his movies are so much fun. Known internationally as a martial arts
master, he first appeared in the states with Operation Condor, First
Strike,
and Rumble in the Bronx. More recently, his first American film, Rush
Hour,
grossed over $100 million at the box office. This was mostly due to its
mixture of comedy and nonstop action. Chan's latest, Shanghai Noon, does not
deviate from the humorous action setup that worked so well before. This is
basically Rush Hour with spurs and ten gallon hats. While this may seem like
a disappointing thing at first, it turns out not to be. Shanghai Noon is a movie I never really wanted to end, and by the time the
film closed, I was asking for more.
Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) is an Imperial Guard who gets sent to America to recover Princess Pei Pei ("Ally McBeal"'s Lucy Liu) whom the Emperor believes was kidnapped. She actually went voluntarily, and gets tricked into working with a large group of Chinese immigrants on a railroad in Old West Nevada. Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson) is the talkative leader of a group of bandits who make the mistake of robbing the train that Wong is on. About five thrilling action scenes later, O'Bannon and Wong decide to team up together to rescue the Princess, and return her to China. Many adventures involving a variety of villains and a variety of weapons ensue that test the two friends' trust for each other. Shanghai Noon is probably the funniest movie released so far this year, and is easily Chan's best. The fish out of water and radically different buddy plotline works magically again. As the chatty and sensitive O'Bannon, Owen Wilson shows much more potential than his previous efforts in Armageddon and The Haunting. He provides a nice alternative to the annoying Chris Tucker. Much of the film's humor derives from racial differences. When a Western couple is debating why Wong is wearing a dress (it's actually his Imperial uniform) they decide he must be one of those Jews. Similar jokes involving the Chinese, Native Americans, and African Americans are also present. However, the film is lighthearted, and the jokes aren't nearly as shocking as those of, say, Blazing Saddles. In addition to some offensive humor, there are a barrelful of clichés we've all seen before. These too get effectively covered up by the film's fast paced action and excitement. Jackie Chan retains his usual charm, and when you see Wong fighting a number of Crow Indians or a saloon of men with his bare hands, you know you are watching classic Chan. Pei Pei gets to kick some butt too. Lucy Liu, who also stars in the kung-fu-heavy Charlie's Angels, proves she's no damsel in distress. It's nice to see a female character tangle with the guys. This movie has the perfect balance of comedy and action, but one must wonder how long this racial-divide/blockbuster-action-picture formula can last. It is not only a good bang for your buck action flick, but it achieves humor that is hard to find in other action movies. [After the film ends, don't forget to watch for the usual outtakes—a token (and often the best) part of a Jackie Chan film.] |
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