Review of Shanghai Noon (2000) by Kevin M. W — 04 Sep 2015

Pretty good actioner cum ha-ha when a Chinese palace guard (Chan) ventures to the Old West to save a kidnapped princess (Liu). Wilson primary purpose is to hold the hands of the American audience to take us through this adventure ("don't be nervous, here's an American face to console you in the face of all these Chinese faces", which would be sort of an insult were it not grounded in so much truth), which is to say his role is entirely unnecessary.

Moving right along, the film is a very different Western indeed. Chan interacts with some Indian tribes, for instance, some positively, some not (action ensues), and you don't see that much in any film, much less a Western.

Then he meets the locals at a Wild West saloon (action ensues) all to ultimately address the touchy issue of forced Oriental labor for the railroads. Its a lot meatier than its action comedy roots. And the action, typical ala Chan, is inspired.