Today’s quick review: Shanghai Noon. When Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu) is kidnapped from the Forbidden City, her loyal guard Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) travels to the Wild West to rescue her. Stranded alone in a strange country, Chon forms a tenuous alliance with Roy O’Bannon (Owen Wilson), an unsuccessful outlaw, in the hopes of finding the princess in time.
Shanghai Noon is a martial arts comedy with a Western twist. Shanghai Noon brings together Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson in an environment where each can do what he does best. Jackie Chan offers his usual bag of tricks: talented acrobatics, prop-based slapstick, and an open, likable character. For his part, Owen Wilson is a natural fit for the role of Roy O’Bannon, a train robber with a big mouth and little in the way of criminal skill.
Shanghai Noon makes good use of its leads, alternately pitting them against one another and forcing them to team up. The banter is entertaining, the stunts are reasonably impressive, and the jokes are consistently amusing. However, Shanghai Noon struggles to get beyond its baseline level of quality. Few of the gags stand out, the stunts are outclassed by other Jackie Chan films, and the plot is short and simplistic.
As such, Shanghai Noon makes for a good popcorn watch and little more. Check it out when you are in the mood for a light comedy with good stunts mixed in. Shanghai Noon delivers exactly what it promises with no major failings or surprises. Skip it if you dislike either of the leads or you are looking for a pure martial arts film. For another Jackie Chan buddy comedy, check out Rush Hour.
6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for good stunts, amusing comedy, and a fun tone.