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Shanghai Knights 2003 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by David Dobkin
PG-13, 107 min. (action violence, sexual content) |
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Starring: Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Fann Wong, Donnie Yen, Aaron Johnson, Aiden Gillen, Tom Fisher
Producers: Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Jonathan Glickman
Screenplay: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
Cinematography: Adrian Biddle
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures
Released: 2.07.03 (Wide) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
Shanhai Knights is the inevitable follow-up to Shanghai Noon and pairs likable actors Owen Wilson and martial arts
specialist Jackie Chan. One of the built-in defenses for this kind of action comedy is that most viewers know what to
expect - a lightweight plot mixed with humor and lots of creative fight scenes. For some that's good enough, for others
(including me) it's just a little too silly. Recommending this film depends on one's particular attitude toward the genre.
Chan has re-invented himself to fit a niche in American cinema, combining elements of his legendary martial arts career
in Chinese cinema with a lighthearted flair for comedy when paired with the appropriate American counterpart - Chris Tucker,
or in this case Owen Wilson. Despite his advanced age, Chan continues to create scenes that will make you cringe because
you know he does his own stunts (this is abundantly clear during the outtakes at the film's conclusion). Personally, I find
his earlier work much more interesting and involving (The Legend of Drunken Master) than his current string of dumbed-down
efforts (Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2). Although his current work shows flashes of his former brilliance, it can't compensate for
his films' flimsily-constructed premises.
This go around Chon Wang (Chan) reunites with Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson) for an adventure in England circa 1886, where Chon's
sister, Lin (Fann Wong) is tracking the killer, Rathbone (Aiden Gillen), of their father in China. Rathbone has stolen a precious
stone from the Chinese Emperor, and with the help of a would-be emperor, Wu Yip (Donnie Yen), has a plan to elevate
himself to the English throne. During their mission, Chon and Roy receive some unlikely help from a Scotland Yard detective, Doyle (Tom Fisher), and
an orphan, Charlie (Aaron Johnson). Meanwhile, Lin is falling for Roy and Chon is not exactly keen on the idea.
Shanghai Knights is not without its moments. A few of the action sequences are obviously humor laced, including one where
Chon flees the police through a revolving door and another where he fends off a street gang with only an umbrella. Its
creative moments only suspend its idiotic storyline for a short time, and, despite some real chemistry between the leads,
the result is choppy and disoriented. This is where talented screenwriters are needed.
There's no question many moviegoers will be pleased with what Shanghai Knights has to offer, and reluctantly I'd have to
agree with them to a degree. Unfortunately, no amount of martial arts wizardry can overcome a lame premise and a
poorly executed plot. Director David Dobkin does the best he can with the material, but eventually succumbs to a shortage
of quality writing. To compensate, he has given Chan and Wilson a wide latitude to infuse the picture, and to his credit, he
almost pulls it off. But not quite.
© 2003 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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