Directed by:   Tom Dey
Written by:  Miles Millar, Alfred Gough
Starring:  Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Lucy Liu
 

June 27, 2000

         Jackie Chan films are difficult to rate on how bad they are.  When I had the unfortunate experience of seeing Jackie Chan’s First Strike in the theater, I swore to myself I would never see another Chan film, or at least in the theater.  Shanghai Noon comes along, and everyone says it’s funny, and that Chan pairs great with Owen Wilson.  So I take the chance, hoping I would get a few laughs.  I think I laughed once during the first hour, and although I don’t make a habit of it, I left after that.
         All stories in Jackie Chan films are atrociously idiotic, and Shanghai Noon doesn’t try to set itself apart.  Chinese Princess Pei Pei, played by Lucy Liu who is the only good thing about the movie, is kidnapped by some cliché bad guys, and Chon Wang (Chan) must rescue her.  While on her trail, he runs into Roy O’Bannon (Wilson) and they form an unlikely pair.  Oh yeah, we haven’t seen that before.
         Now you know a film is bad when a song by ZZ top starts playing, and it’s set in the Wild West.  The fighting is dull, the story mindless, and the jokes unfunny.  I very rarely walk out of films, but for this one, I felt compelled to walk out after the first hour and ask for my money back.
 

Recommended Alternatives:  Just stay away from Jackie Chan films!

-In Theaters-

Nominated for
1 Fidelio Film Award