Year:
2000
Studio:
Touchstone Pictures/
Spyglass Entertainment
Movie:
3/5
DVD:
3/5
Movie
Jackie Chan is a veteran Hong Kong actor who about 15 years ago decided
that he wanted to conquer America. Now, although he's a very good
action star (he specializes doing his own stunts, and some stunts are
amazingly dangerous), his first few films here (like Operation Condor) were all
re-releases. They did ok but not great.
And then he started making Hollywood movies and those have done better.
Rush Hour is a
good example of Hollywood sophistication combined with Hong Kong
martial arts. Shanghai Noon
is another one — a great mix of action with comedy with martial arts
starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.
It's the year 1881. Chan plays Chon Wang, an Imperial Guardsman in
China. When Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu) is kidnapped and held for
ransom somewhere near Carson City, Nevada, Wang talks his way into the
rescue party. Unfortunately, he gets spilt up from his mates and falls
in with Roy O'Bannon (Wilson), an enlightened smooth talking train
robber who can't shoot worth a darn. Together they team up to rescue
the Princess and perhaps get some of the ransom payoff.
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Actors
Owen Wilson is somehow remarkably good. He's got a funny nose and a
sleepy sort of drawl. But he's witty and charming and has a good screen
presence. Jackie Chan, although his accent at times can make him hard
to understand, does an excellent job emoting and showing without saying.
DVD
The audio commentary splices together two tracks: Jackie Chan, and Owen
Wilson with director Tom Dey. Chan doesn't say much but in a couple of
places his viewpoint differs a bit from the other two so it's a nice
contrast. Dey does most of the talking with Wilson chipping in during
his scenes.
There are eight deleted scenes with commentary by Dey and Wilson. There
are seven short featurettes, some having useful content but most having
a sort of music video style. There are two 5-question quizzes (one to
join O'Bannon's Gang and one to join the Imperial Guard). There is also
an Uncle Kracker music video and the theatrical trailer.
Recommendation
A fun movie. An action-comedy buddy movie. Recommended.
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