Two cultures collide in SHANGHAI NOON, a wildly hilarious, stunt-filled action-adventure comedy starring the death-defying action hero Jackie Chan (RUSH HOUR 2), Owen Wilson (ARMAGEDDON, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS), and Lucy Liu... more » (PAYBACK, CHARLIE'S ANGELS). Chan plays Chinese Imperial Guard Chon Wang (say it out loud) who hightails it to the wild and woolly West to rescue the beautiful kidnapped Princess Pei Pei (Liu). When he meets up with the laid-back outlaw cowboy dude Roy O'Bannon (Wilson), they form the best mismatch ever made in the rough and tumble Old West -- the two face jail, brawls, bordellos, and the vilest villains this side of the Great Wall! Spectacular stunts, outrageous irreverence, and epic vistas reign as East meets West in a battle for honor, royalty, and a fortune in gold! It's a real kick!« less
Jackie Chan was decent in this movie before his decline. Lots of actors you know.
Ruth B. (Ruthie) from TOOELE, UT Reviewed on 9/10/2024...
Very fun movie.
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Duke C. from SUTTON, AK Reviewed on 9/20/2011...
A well-done enjoyble film with a clever blending of cultures.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Sharon F. (bookworm01) from STATESBORO, GA Reviewed on 3/24/2010...
I loved this movie! Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan are great together! I found parts of it just hilarious! For instance, when Owen was trying to teach Jackie how to shoot a gun....that was so funny to me.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Funny, Original, & Exciting!
thematrixcocoleefan | Los Angeles | 10/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Shanghai Noon is definitely one of my favorites from Jackie Chan. Although I love most of his movies, this one had a different style that made me laugh even louder. The wild west is just something he hadn't incorporated in this movies yet...and finally he did! I'll say it again and again, "I STILL can't believe he does his own stunts! " He is absolutely amazing! Especially in the scene when Jackie and the bandits are on the train and fighting and jumping from cart to cart. It's exciting just watching Jackie take that leap (because you know it's real...it's not any special effects...not the blue screen dubbed background). My favorite scene was when Jackie was being chased by the native tribal dudes. The flying axes really get your attention! Your heart races as you watch Jackie execute each move with flawless conviction. I also enjoy and appreciate how this movie (among other Jackie Chan/Chow Yun Fat/Jet Li flicks) is slowly bringing Chinese culture into the American mainstream. Just the use of mandarin in an American theater is a step up for the Asians. Lucy Liu and Owen Wilson also did a fine job. You'll really enjoy the out-takes at the end of the film. (One of Jackie's trademarks)"
Chan And Wilson Conquer The Old West
Reviewer | 08/14/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"East meets West for laughs and plenty of action in director Tom Dey's "Shanghai Noon," starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. In 1881 China, Royal Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu) is smuggled out of the Forbidden City and taken to Carson City, Nevada, where she is held for a one hundred thousand dollar ransom in gold. The Emperor promptly dispatches his top three Imperial Guards, an interpreter (Henry O), and the interpreter's nephew, Chon Wang (Chan), to deliver the gold and bring the Princess safely back to China. During a botched train robbery in Nevada, the interpreter is killed, and Chon Wang sets out to find the man responsible; but first he must discharge his duty to the Emperor, by finding Carson City and the Princess. Along the way he meets up with a left-handed gunslinger named Roy O'Bannon (Wilson), who was the leader of the gang that tried to rob the train. The cowboy who killed his uncle, a man named Wallace (Walt Goggins), Wang learns, was a new guy to the gang; Roy didn't know him, and nobody, of course, was to supposed to get hurt. Once that issue is resolved, it's shades of Butch and Sundance as Wang and Roy team up to rescue the Princess (and the gold). Dey alternates the action and laughs, often combining the two, and keeps it all moving along at a good, even pace. The likable Chan puts plenty of spirit into Wang, and the fight scenes are spectacular; well choreographed and orchestrated. He also proves himself adept on the comedy front, at times infusing a bit of Stan Laurel in his expression. The charismatic Wilson also shines as Roy, with a subtle, straight-forward delivery that is right on the mark. There's a chemistry between the two that works splendidly, and their timing is perfect. And they play it with a contemporary attitude that fuels the off-beat ambience; at times, it's like a Newman and Redford in the Twilight Zone. Liu, as well, gives a notable performance, lending a Royal mien to her Princess Pei Pei. There's a number of memorable scenes here, including one in which Wang encounters the Sioux (and we can only guess what's really in that peace-pipe); and another, early in the film, that finds Roy buried up to his neck and left to die in the desert, only to be found by Wang, who puts two chopsticks in Roy's mouth and tells him to start digging. The comedy plays well throughout the film, managing real laughs without resorting to slapstick or sight gags. Also worthy of mention is that the opening scene was filmed in China, in the Forbidden City. The excellent supporting cast includes Jason Connery (Andrews), Brandon Merrill (Indian wife), Roger Yuan (Lo Fong), Xander Berkeley (Van Cleef) and Russell Badger (Sioux Chief). "Shanghai Noon" is, above all, a fun movie; a light-hearted and often hilarious spin on the old west, forever changed (historically and cinematically), now that Wang and O'Bannon have happened onto the scene. This is one pair of cowboys you're going to remember, and this is one funny movie you're going to want to see more than once. And that's a promise, Pardner."
Hilarious and action-packed, Shanghai Noon is loads of fun!
Priscilla Stafford | Yokohama, Japan | 06/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had heard of "Shanghai Noon" when it had first come out, but didn't have much interest in it. But a few weeks ago I decided to try it out once and found it thoroughly entertaining! Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu) decides to leave the Forbidden City of China to go off to America. But when she arrives in Carson City with her English teacher, she realizes she has been in fact kidnapped, master minded by a traitor, Lo Fong (Roger Yuan). It's up to the Chinese Imperial Guards to save her. One Imperial Guard, Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) is separated from his fellow mates and is stuck in the West without a clue where Carson City is! He ties up with Indians for a while, marrying the beautiful Indian princess, Falling Leaves (Brandon Merrill) then gradually teams up with 'not quite your average outlaw' Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson). With the Marshall Nathan Van Cleef (Xander Berkeley) on their tale, will they ever save the princess?PLOT: The plot of the story is average if not very original. But the acting, action, and humor makes "Shanghai Noon" to be a five-star great movie! ACTING: Though most people may not believe it, this is my first Jackie Chan movie to watch. Throughout the whole movie he has this sort of wise yet innocent manner about it since he has no clue how to act in the west. Lucy Liu does not come out that much in the movie yet she has her moments. She's so regal that she's great for the part of the princess in captive. Brandon Merrill, a real-life rodeo champion, is very cool as another princess with lots of guts, getting Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson out of trouble. But I must say, Owen Wilson of Roy O'Bannon steals the whole film. He's just so into his part that you can't believe he's only acting! ACTION: As all Jackie Chan movies are, "Shanghai Noon" is action packed. Because it's a movie how 'East meets West', it has both kung fu and gun fighting. Chan gets to use antlers, a horshoe whip, his pony-tail, and other ingenious weapons while the character of Roy gets to use his 'skills?' as a gunfighter. Lots of great scenes but my favorites are: the bar fight scene, the two Roy O'Bannon versus the Marshall 'stand-offs', and Jackie Chan versus Lo Fong. HUMOR: The whole movie is filled with lots of one-liners you just naturally memorize and subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) humor. Most of the humor is given off to perfection by Owen Wilson though Jackie Chan has his moments. Here are a few of my favorite lines:Roy O'Bannon: My name's Roy O'Bannon.
Chon Wang: Chon Wang.
Roy O'Bannon: "John Wayne"? That's a terrible cowboy name! That's not going to work. And neither is the ponytail.Roy O'Bannon: We're men, not pinatas!Roy O'Bannon: On the count of three. 1... 2... 2 1/2... 2 and 7/8... 3!Roy O'Bannon: I may not know karate, but I know crazy.And basically the whole movie is simply hilarious. There's some bloopers at the end of th movie that is just funny! I especially love the one when Jackie Chan is 'fixing' Owen Wilson's shoulder! The music is very cool also, not at all the normal 'western type' of music you would listen to in a typical western movie, but of course, "Shanghai Noon" is NOT a typical western movie. I highly recommend it for anyone how wants a good laugh and some great action/adventure.PG-13 RATING: The movie is rated PG-13 because of language and some scenes. Best for older teenagers and adults."
Silly and Highly Entertaining
Laura De Giorgio | Canada | 10/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am generally hooked on Jackie Chan's Hong Kong style kung fu movies (Drunken Master and the like), but I did find this movie very refreshing and entertaining. I'm not into western type of movies, but this one had enough of a twist to make me like it. I do enjoy East-West multi-cultural mix. Also, the movie does bring out Jackie's silly side. Few times I almost cried from laughter."
Best Jackie Chan US Production Yet
Brian Glass | Zanesville, OH United States | 05/06/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Shanghai Noon is by far the best Jackie Chan movie made in the US. It is much more enjoyable than the over-rated Rush Hour. For me a large part of that is because I find Owen Wilson to be much more entertaining and amiable than the grating human cartoon, Chris Tucker. But even more than Tucker, the fight scenes are much closer to his Hong Kong films. Close but still not quite there. The action has all of Jackie's trademark acrobatics and fast editing. It seems to be slowed down a bit from Rumble In The Bronx, Supercop or any of his other HK films though.There is a great deal of chemistry between Jackie and Owen and a lot of that has to do with Jackie's Mr Nice Guy persona. You can't help but feel he's everybody's friend. The relationship of the two characters reminded me a lot of the Robert DeNiro/Charles Grodin relationship in Midnight Run. Owen Wilson is the footloose rouge trying to get the stiff uptight Chan to relax and take life as it comes. This is a fun buddy film that I would highly recommend."