 | Shanghai Noon Starring: Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Lucy Liu, Curtis Armstrong, Roger Yuan, Xander Berkeley |
Jackie Chan as Chon Wang, an Imperial Guard of the Emperor of China is out to ransom a kidnapped princess (Lucy Liu) in the Old West. Before he can reach the princess (held captive by two villains, impressively played by Roger Yuan and Xander Berkely), his train is robbed by one of the most inept outlaws that ever rode the Wild West, Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson), and his equally goofy gang. The robbery is botched, of course, and O'Bannon's gang double crosses poor Roy and leaves him to die in the Nevada Badlands. Through a series of mishaps with Indians and a terrific barroom brawl, as only Chan can do it, O'Bannon and Wang reluctantly team up. Wang's association with O'Bannon gets him on a wanted poster and a new name, The Shanghai Kid. "But I'm not from Shanghai!" protests Wang. But O'Bannon feels that Chon Wang is a terrible name for a cowboy and decides to call him John Wayne. While trying to get to Carson City, Nevada, where the princess is being held, the unlikely twosome are hounded by the evil psychotic Marshall Van Clef (Berkely)! The whole story ends on a mission belltower that outdoes Hitchcock's ending in "Vertigo". Following that is one of the most hilariously delivered lines you will ever hear, when O'Bannon reveals his real name. This could very well be Chan's best American film. Owen Wilson is about as "off the wall" as you can get and is the perfect sidekick to Chan's comedic talents. The funny scenes are too numerous to mention. The entire film is filled with fun, action and plenty of laughs. Chan fans will not be disappointed. He will probably pick up some new ones. The only negative is the two-hour length, which could have been tightened a bit by director Dey. But, what the hell, the whole film is played for laughs and most of the scenes work. It's a wild and wacky ride. Certainly, the Old West will never be the same! |