Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: PG-13 (for violence, sexuality and language)
Release Date: February 7, 2003
Actors: Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Fann Wong, Donnie Yen, Gemma Jones
Director: David Dobkin
Special Notes: Chan told me in an interview that he's tired of doing sequel movies that have made him so famous. He says he wants to try more drama but if the public has anything to say about it... he needs to make Shanghai 3.
Plot: A follow-up to the popular wild west comedy, "Shanghai Noon," finds Chon Wang (Chan) and Roy O'Bannon (Wilson) riding out of the West and heading East to settle a score in jolly old London. When Chinese rebel murders Chon's estranged father, Chon and Roy follow to seek revenge. Funny thing is, Chon's sister, Lin, has the same idea. Together the three uncover a worldwide conspiracy to murder the royal family but no one believes them, least of all the stuffy British. With help from the Scotland Yard and a 10-year-old street urchin, Chon has to fight off the romance-minded Roy from his sister while battling his evil adversary in a race against time. Adventure awaits our heroes, as they hit the tourist spots of London (Big Ben, Madame Toussaud's and the Convent Gardens) and bring a bit of the Old West with them.
Good: I have to confess, I think I enjoyed this one more than the first. The hilarious style of comedy will remind you that a well-teamed buddy movie can sell a movie, especially this one! Chan is brilliant with a style of comedy that’s perfectly suited for a storyline that incorporates his talent for fighting and comedy. He does an incredible marital arts fight/dance to "Singing in the Rain" with an umbrella that will make you forget it’s a fight and make you wanna get up and dance--it is unique and amazing! Bravo for a unique way to introduce a martial arts scene you’ll never forget! I enjoyed the side plot about his sister, and it worked having him get ticked at Roy for flirting with his sister. I’m a big fan of Wilson and have enjoyed him in everything he’s done so far--he is one of the funniest men in Hollywood and perfect leading man material. There’s something in his charm, sarcasm, accent and delivery that nails his lines every time, he is funny!!! Along with the hilarious slams on jolly old England and their stuffy British attitude, the one-liners, clever script and cute scenes with the kid keep this movie in the family friendly entertainment for pre-teens to adults.
Bad: There are a few crude elements that make this an adult comedy rather than a kid-friendly one--it's more for mature teens to adults. This is a plot that involves the bad guys trying to kill the Royal family so there are lots of martial arts fights. I also need to mention that although there are no sex scenes, there are several scenes with sexual innuendoes and dialogue about Roy liking loose women. Other elements include mild language, as well as a scene where the guys have a pillow fight with women in the room and they end up covering their nude bodies with pillows. A man gets hit in the groin.
Bottom Line: These two have hit a winning formula and should keep on making these hilarious movies together...I laughed all the way through it. But again, this is NOT a kid-friendly movie...it's for the young teen to adult crowd.