Shanghai Noon (2000)

The Long Review:

I didn't quite know what to expect on my way to seeing "Shanghai Noon." I was a bit wary, having seen Jackie Chan's talent muted in "Rush Hour," and having recently been disappointed by a too-hyped-up-for-nothing martial arts film, "Romeo Must Die" (He really should've!!!). I guess you could say I saw "Shanghai Noon" just for the sake of seeing it. And am I glad I did! It truly was quite a good film (Jackie Chan's da man!!). It's got a decent plot, a great cast, awesome martial arts sequences, clever dialogue…overall entertaining!!

I initially stereotyped the movie as one of those that adopted a fairy tale and fancied it up with humdrum action and pitiful dialogue. But "Shanghai Noon" doesn't fit this mold. Yes, the plot, "hero rescues princess in trouble" is straight out of a fairy tale. But its execution all the way to its conclusion was well done. I forgot the cheesiness and the been-there-done-that-ness of it all as I got sucked into the unexpected twists and turns throughout the film. And the comedy of it all! There were some parts, I swear, where I was soooooo thankful I had an empty bladder. I was thinking to myself, "How the hell did they come up with that??!" Having a really weird sense of humour, I felt honoured that writers out there would cater to my type of funny. I sure felt special!

And "Shanghai Noon" boasts of a great team-up: Jackie Chan (as Chon Wang) and Owen Wilson (as Roy O-Bannon, Chon Wang's sidekick). Now these two have chemistry that would make Leonardo di Caprio and Kate Winslet jealous. Serious. They were just so damn funny together!! Instead of one downplaying the other's talents, these two highlighted each other's strengths. Sigh. Now that's what you call a healthy relationship. Where do I get me one of those??

Among the cast, too, were Lucy Liu (the Chinese princess who goes to the States in search of a better life…who doesn't??) and Brandon Merrill (an Indian woman Chan meets along the way…yes, she's a woman…stuck with a man's name). And these actors were given a great script to memorize. The dialogue was funny and intelligent, you forget you're watching a martial arts movie in essence. Hehehehe…Hoit! Yah!! Huh!! (Those are sounds made during fight scenes, in case you don't know.) The film's pace was pretty good, too. I can't recall there being a time when I thought the movie was going at snail's speed. Tom Dey did a good job of propelling the action. And that's so very important. Directors, take heed. Please!!!!

But I think the big hoopla about this film is Chan the Man's awesome stunts. His antics really make you say to the person beside you, regardless of whether you know that person or not, "Did you see that? Did you see what he just did? F#@*!!!" There's no doubt about it that Jackie Chan IS the KING of martial arts. He's a graceful, agile, flexible man. Where do I get me one of those??

It's rare that a film has it all. And "Shaghai Noon" is one of these jewels. It's a great all-around movie that reminds you why you go to the movies. To be entertained.

Ebert's satisfaction:

As we all know it, Ebert is um…how should I say it? Dignified and wise? (Translation: old and grumpy). So before reading his review, I thought he'd totally trash "Shanghai Noon." But good ol' Ebert disappointed me. And I'm glad!! He actually liked the movie!! He really, really liked it! He gave shoutouts to the performance of the cast, martial arts sequences, direction, dialogue, and characterization. And so do I!!! But you knew that already. Mr. Ebert even used the word "dude" in his review to describe Owen Wilson's character. What's this? Was Mr. Ebert so moved by the film that he's been inspired to be cool? Gasp!! There is, however, one aspect of the movie that Ebert criticized. (He had to not like something! Geez!!) And that was the lack of development of one of the subplots. But I can't tell you which (like he did). 'Cuz that's just giving some of the movie away. And we don't do that here. Nuh-uh. But just for the record, I do agree with Mr. Ebert on this criticism. Just like him, I was left wondering whatever became of this one subplot. But I won't tell you what it is. Nuh-uh. Now aren't you just dying to see the movie??? I'm good!!!