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Craig Younkin
Movie Review
Shanghai Knights
By Craig Younkin Published February 9, 2003
US Release: February 7, 2003
Directed by: David Dobkin
Starring: Owen Wilson , Fann Wong , Donnie Yen , Aaron Johnson
PG-13
Running Time: 114 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $60,470,000
Directed by: David Dobkin
Starring: Owen Wilson , Fann Wong , Donnie Yen , Aaron Johnson
PG-13
Running Time: 114 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $60,470,000
B
A fun little diversion
Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson return in Shanghai Knights, the sequel to the 2000 western-martial arts hit Shanghai Noon.
Here, the setting may have changed but Wilson and Chan prove that they have chemistry together which can only improve with age. Much like Noon, Knights isn't concerned with plotting and unfortunately runs a little bit too long, but the real joy of both of these films is watching both of them do what they do best.
The story picks up in the old west where Chon Wang (Chan) is now the sheriff. He receives news that his father has been killed and that his sister has followed the murderer to London. He decides to do the same, only first stopping off in New York to pay his old partner, Roy O' Bannon (Wilson), a little visit and to collect his share of the money from their previous adventure. Only when Chon gets to New York, he finds out that Roy has invested it all into some pretty shoddy bets and is now making his keep by waiting tables. Hoping to make it up to him, Roy accompanies Chon to England where they meet up with Chon's sister, who Roy is smitten with. They also meet up with a young Charlie Chaplin, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Jack the Ripper as they uncover a plot to assassinate the royal family.
Shanghai Knights has a good time in poking fun at these people as well as other things like the automobile and moving pictures, but most of the really funny stuff comes from the deliveries of both Chan and Wilson. Chan is our greatest living physical comedian, as he's an artist who isn't just about thrills but also about grace and humor. The action sequences here are tremendously entertaining, especially one where he beats up bad guys while paying homage to Gene Kelly's "Singing in the Rain." He is an entertainer of physical brilliance and watching him is a great pleasure.
When Chan isn't doing his thing, Owen Wilson is a very funny comic adversary. Wilson has a knack for playing goofy and the script benefits greatly from that. The rest of the cast also does well, and Randy Edelman's musical score is really a nice touch here. There isn't much to Shanghai Knights besides the Knights themselves, but they're a fun little diversion that's well worth the time.
Here, the setting may have changed but Wilson and Chan prove that they have chemistry together which can only improve with age. Much like Noon, Knights isn't concerned with plotting and unfortunately runs a little bit too long, but the real joy of both of these films is watching both of them do what they do best.
The story picks up in the old west where Chon Wang (Chan) is now the sheriff. He receives news that his father has been killed and that his sister has followed the murderer to London. He decides to do the same, only first stopping off in New York to pay his old partner, Roy O' Bannon (Wilson), a little visit and to collect his share of the money from their previous adventure. Only when Chon gets to New York, he finds out that Roy has invested it all into some pretty shoddy bets and is now making his keep by waiting tables. Hoping to make it up to him, Roy accompanies Chon to England where they meet up with Chon's sister, who Roy is smitten with. They also meet up with a young Charlie Chaplin, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Jack the Ripper as they uncover a plot to assassinate the royal family.
Shanghai Knights has a good time in poking fun at these people as well as other things like the automobile and moving pictures, but most of the really funny stuff comes from the deliveries of both Chan and Wilson. Chan is our greatest living physical comedian, as he's an artist who isn't just about thrills but also about grace and humor. The action sequences here are tremendously entertaining, especially one where he beats up bad guys while paying homage to Gene Kelly's "Singing in the Rain." He is an entertainer of physical brilliance and watching him is a great pleasure.
When Chan isn't doing his thing, Owen Wilson is a very funny comic adversary. Wilson has a knack for playing goofy and the script benefits greatly from that. The rest of the cast also does well, and Randy Edelman's musical score is really a nice touch here. There isn't much to Shanghai Knights besides the Knights themselves, but they're a fun little diversion that's well worth the time.
Craig's Grade: B
Craig's Overall Grading: 340 graded movies
| A | 10.9% | |
| B | 41.8% | |
| C | 31.8% | |
| D | 15.3% | |
| F | 0.3% |
'Shanghai Knights' Articles
- Gareth's review C+
February 9, 2003 Many of the references would not have been used in 1888 -- Gareth Von Kallenbach - Lee's review C
February 9, 2003 Had me laughing harder and producing more fun reactions during the outtakes than the entire ride itself -- Lee Tistaert
