This movie in my opinion is more of a comedy than a martial arts film although Jackie Chan gives the usual dose of breathtaking fights and stunts. It is one of the best action comedies that Hollywood has churned out in the last few years.
The plot follows Chinese Imperial Guard Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) on his mission to find the stunning Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Lui). This film being a comedy even the names are involved in some of the gags. Chans characters name is misheard as John Wayne and Princess Pei Pei is often refered to as Princess Pee Pee. On his way to her rescue her he runs into charming Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson) a very laid-back outlaw. They find themselves stumbling from one one fight to another while providing a lot of laughs on the way.
This is one of the few films that Jackie Chan actually speaks English in. This itself provides some laughs due to the inclusion of outakes at the end of the movie where Jackie often mucks up his lines. He does a great job of talking English throughout and is clear and easily understood at all times. He is really convincing as the Imperial Guard and I believe that this is partially due to his martial arts ability. He has a great on screen banter with Owen Wilson and they are both very realistic in their respective roles. Owen is excellent as the super cool outlaw. You wouldn't know he wasn't a cowboy - that is how well he portrays his character. He jumps on horses and yells "Yee Haa" and spins his guns with great ease. Neither of them could have been better cast as they both do a stunning role. Lucy Lui has only a minor role but she too is great as the Princess.
Jackie Chan manages to prove once again he is the original action man and provides some mind blowing fight scenes. He has confontations all through the film and each one gets bigger and better. He beats up the villians with a set of wall-mounted antlers and manages to wipe out numerous bad guys with a horse shoe and a rope - incredible stuff. He even beats people up with trees!! Owen too gets in on the action with his flash guns but he can't shoot to save his life but provides some great action while making it really funny too. The action is stunning but I still maintain that the action gives way to the comedy as the main focus of the movie.
This really is a great film that is full of great acting, great action and will have you laughing the whole way through. I really do recommend this film because I don't usually like Westerns but this isn't the average Westerns so give it a go.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
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Great film, great op. I was in stitches when I watched this, one of my favourite scenes had to be the drinking game in the bath. What the hell were they saying? Who cares, it was hilarious. Justin.
slyfox 20.03.2001 17:30
Yeah - I absolutely loved this film. Great op. Nice to find another Chan fan. Check out my Rush hour op! slyfox
Story? What story? All a film likeShanghai Noonneeds is the amazing stunt set pieces ... more
featuring kung fu superstar Jackie Chan and the ramblings of Owen Wilson (and to be sure, that's all it gets). It's a buddy comedy about Roy O'Bannon (Wilson), a minor...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Two cultures collide when East meets West in 'Shanghai Noon', a wildly hilarious, ... more
stunt-filled action-adventure comedy starring the death-defying action hero Jackie Chan (Rush Hour), Owen Wilson (Armageddon, The Haunting) and Lucy Liu (Payback, TV's Al...
Story? What story? All a film likeShanghai Noonneeds is the amazing stunt set pieces ... more
featuring kung fu superstar Jackie Chan and the ramblings of Owen Wilson (and to be sure, that's all it gets). It's a buddy comedy about Roy O'Bannon (Wilson), a minor...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: refer to website
Two cultures collide when East meets West in Shanghai Noon a wildly hilarious ... more
stunt-filled action-adventure-comedy starring the death-defying action hero Jackie Chan Owen Wilson and Lucy Liu. Chan plays Chinese Imperial Guard Chon Wang (say it out l...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![Shanghai Noon [DVD] [2000]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78546115.jpg "Shanghai Noon [DVD] [2000]")
Mar 5th, 2001
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