# Shanghai Noon (2000)

### reviewed by
Ron Strong

    "SHANGHAI NOON"
    Review by R.L. Strong
    ****  out of  *****

TOUCHSTONE PICTURES AND SPYGLASS ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS A BIRNBAUM / BARBER PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH A JACKIE CHAN FILMS LIMITED PRODUCTION JACKIE CHAN OWEN WILSON "SHANGHAI NOON" LUCY LIU MUSIC BY RANDY EDELMAN CO PRODUCERS NED DOWD JULES DALY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JACKIE CHAN WILLIE CHAN AND SOLON SO PRODUCED BY ROGER BIRNBAUM GARY BARBER AND JONATHAN GLICKMAN WRITTEN BY ALFRED GOUGH & MILES MILLAR DIRECTED BY TOM DEY

Rated PG-13 for mild language, adult situations, drug use, martial art action and violence. 107 minutes. Super 35mm / Panavision (2.35:1)

What can you say about Jackie Chan that hasn't already been said. Since the release of 'Rumble in the Bronx" back in 1996 (the U.S. release), Jackie has become a fairly recognizable commodity on America's video shelves. Having made over 80 films, Jackie has finally succeeded in bringing his style of action-comedy to the West. His latest release, "Shanghai Noon", is a joyful tribute / spoof of the classic Western. And by adding Jackie Chan into the genre, the tag line for the film ("The Western gets a kick in the pants") rings true.

Jackie stars as Chon Wang, a lesser Imperial Guard in the Forbidden City of China. The royal Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu) is set to be married to the obnoxious son of a nobleman from another prefecture. Unwilling to follow her Father's wishes, Princess Pei Pei with the assistance of her English tutor, decides to escape to America. But this is all a ploy devised by exiled guard Lo Fong, which will lead to the Princess' kidnapping and ransom.

Unable to take any legal action, the ransom demands are met and three of the Forbidden City's bravest Guards (played by Cui Ya Hi, Rong Guang Yu, and Eric Chen) are ordered to transport the ransom payment to Lo Fong in Carson City, Nevada. Chon Wang pleads with the imperial court and is given permission to join the team, as he is looked upon as a buffoon.

On a train in the U.S. Jackie meets up with bandit Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson). He is much less of a bandit than he is a glory hog, looking simple for the notoriety and fame that being a bandit will bring him. With his gang in tow, Roy attempts to rob the train, when one of his gang murders the Chinese interpreter of the Royal Court, who also happens to be Chon Wang's uncle.

Chon Wang gives chase, foiling the attempted robbery, but also leaving himself stranded in the desert. As the disgraced Guard wanders through the desert, he again comes upon Roy, who has been left for dead by his former gang. Buried up to his neck in the desert, Roy pleads with Chon to dig him out. Chon demands to know where Carson City is. Roy directs him, and Chon leaves. But not before sticking two chopsticks into Roy's mouth and telling him to dig himself.

Chon soon finds himself confronted by angry Crow warriors, a friendly Sioux tribe, gunslingers, a horse that thinks and behaves like a dog and an Indian bride (Brandon Merrill), before once again running into Roy.

"Shanghai Noon" is just good fun. The chemistry between the cast is remarkable. The performances are all acceptable within the whimsical levels of the film. Jackie's performance is as good as anything he's done before. He's not called on to do much acting here, as the character is not written with any depth. But Jackie's natural charisma shines through, and his comic timing is so perfect, both physically and (surprise) verbally that once again he commands the screen whenever he is on.

Owen Wilson, last seen in the embarrassing remake of "The Haunting", gives a good natured performance as Roy O'Bannon. His innocence is refreshing and fun. A bad guy that's not really bad. His scenes with Jackie are some of the best bits of comic dueling since Martin and Lewis. Lucy Liu as Princess Pei Pei is given little to do in the script, but for a change does not play a nymphet or some other deviant. The character is a noble woman of status and wealth, but finds a greater cause as a result of her own imprisonment.

The rest of the performances are all broadly drawn comic performances. Nothing here is realistic, mind you. "Shanghai Noon" is first and foremost a light, jovial film. And the performances match that style with ease.

The Cinematography by Dan Mindel is gorgeous. Using Calgary, Alberta as the prime location. Mr. Mindel is able to create a lush, romantic western feel to the film. Nothing here really looks like Nevada, but the locations are so beautifully shot and staged, the film can be looked upon as a loving tribute to earlier films of the genre. And as such, the script by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar plays fast and loose with history, but with reverence to past films. Homage to such films as "High Noon" (obviously), "Red River" and most notably "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid" all bring a sense of nostalgia to the film. It is a comforting experience. At a time when the Western is considered either old hat or irrelevant, here is a film that embraces those old attitudes and (dare I say) clichés and manages to make them palatable and refreshing. Here is a film that is not contemptuous of the genre. This is the purest "horse opera" since the days of George O'Brian or John Wayne.

Director Tom Dey has crafted a loving tribute to Hollywood's past. In this, his first film Mr. Dey shows both a love of character and of craftsmanship that is refreshing to see. Nothing here really stands out, or takes one's attention away from the story or action. And that is as it should be, when Jackie Chan is your star.

And what of the action and stunts. Well, while not up to a level of "Drunken Master 2" or any of Jackie's Hong Kong films, "Shanghai Noon" is miles ahead of anything Jackie has done in an American film before. His timing, choreography, and creativity are still as sharp as ever. Jackie even gets to recreate a few scenes from his earlier films (obvious to those of us that have seen those films, but refreshingly fun for those unfamiliar). Finally Jackie can honestly say, that he has made an U.S., his way and incorporating his style.

To sum up, "Shanghai Noon" is a fun summer confection. Not too heavy and not too light. A fun and entertaining film that the whole family can enjoy (parents be advised there are scenes of smoking, drunkenness and peyote use). An enjoyable and charming film that can and will be enjoyed again and again.

Owned & Copyright © 2000 R.L. Strong Nothing in this article may be quoted or re-printed without the expressed written permission of the author.

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