In a Jackie Chan film, you know you’re just as likely to find laughter as you are to be awed by his martial arts skills. In this silly western, Jackie Chan plays the character of Chong Wang, or as the westerners think his name to be, John Wayne.
Shanghai Noon begins when a Chinese princess (Lucy Liu) leaves for America. The princess believes this is her chance for freedom, but she is really taken hostage. The demand is a trunk full of gold. Chosen to save her are the three best Imperial Guards and of course Chong Wang, but only because his uncle is along for the ride as the translator.
The Imperial Guards arrive in the wild west of America only to separate from Chong Wang during a holdup. Wandering the wild, Wang finds himself a partner he doesn’t trust, a wife he doesn’t want, and a horse he cannot ride. Then there are the awe inspiring martial arts.
Owen Wilson plays Chan’s funny partner. Wilson is a blast even if the show is his only for a line or two. If it weren’t for Wilson, this movie would’ve fallen even flatter than it did. Among the funniest scenes are when Wilson and Chan play a drinking game or fumble around with the pee shirt, but no scene was funnier than the pipe smoking scene with the Indians. This raised the crowd out of their slumber a few times.
Shanghai Noon isn’t going to win any awards and will probably be forgotten in a few weeks, but it was at least entertaining. And my advice would be to stay the extra five minutes and watch the scenes after the movie. The bloopers are worth the wait .
+ charlie craine
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