Review of Shanghai Noon (2000) by Steven V — 10 Aug 2009
This is essentially a mismatched buddy movie transferred to the American West and in that respect it is not exact an original plot, there aren't any great twists to grab you and a lot of the plot drivers are forced or predictable.
As with the Rush Hour movies, the plot is secondary to the comedy and the fight scenes. Here, Owen Wilson provides the comedy as the laid back train robber while Jackie Chan provides the action and the comedy.
The strength here is that this is a little unassuming movie that will take you by surprise. The chemistry between Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan is effortless and is as comfortable as the Jackie Chan/Chris Tucker combo.
Owen Wilson's character is hilarious in a very easy way, he is clearly so out of place in the West and partially accepts it. Jackie Chan again shows that he is the closest we have to a modern day Charlie Chaplin, he is as good at interacting with Owen Wilson as he is with the physical comedy that is his trademark.
Other cast members are little more than excuses for the action. Roger Yuan and Xander Berkeley provide good baddies. Overall a gentle enjoyable comedy that is made all the more enjoyable by the ease by which it succeeds at making you laugh.
Jackie Chan's fights are a little less impressive than other movies but he excels in the comedy stakes.
This review of Shanghai Noon (2000) was written by Steven V on 10 Aug 2009.
Shanghai Noon has generally received positive reviews.
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